South Dakota Approves Polygamists Group’s Water Request

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota regulators have approved a secretive polygamist group's request to draw water more quickly at its Black Hills compound even though the sect declined to provide many details about how many people live there.

The Water Management Board approved the application Wednesday. It faced opposition from nearby landowners.

The same panel had said in July the group needed to provide more details. An attorney for the sect, who didn't offer additional information, argued Wednesday that it wasn't necessary.

In July, Seth Jeffs, the water operator for the group and brother of polygamist leader Warren Jeffs, was reluctant to answer questions about who lives at the compound.

Board members said that despite the lack of candor, the group has met the legal burden to access the water.

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