Public comments are being collected on new territory boundaries for directors of seven water development districts. The revisions reflect changes approved by state legislators.

The new rules affect:

• South Central district, serving parts of Gregory, Lyman, Buffalo, Brule, Aurora, Charles Mix, Bon Home and Douglas counties.
• West River district, serving parts of Haakon, Pennington, Jackson, Lyman, Jones and Mellette counties.
• West Dakota district, which includes Rapid City, Box Elder, New Underwood, Wasta, Keystone and Hill City.
• Central Plains district, including Pierre and other parts of Hughes County.
• Districts in the state's eastern half include East Dakota, James River and Vermillion Basin water development districts.

People can comment during a 1 p.m. CDT Thursday, June 25, hearing at the Capitol Lake Visitors Center in Pierre, 500 East Capitol Ave. The deadline is June 24 for written comments to the state Board of Water and Natural Resources, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, 523 East Capitol, Pierre, SD 57501.

For an online copy of the proposed rules, go to denr.sd.gov/dfta/wp/wddrulesrevision09.pdf. Free copies also are available from South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Division of Financial and Technical Assistance, Foss Building 523 East Capitol, Pierre, SD 57501-3181.