Opinion ID: 901532
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: 2(a How is the Setback Measured What is the Width of the Route?

Text: [¶ 22.] SDCL 46-8-1.2 prohibits the route acquired from being within 250 feet of dwellings or other buildings on the premises. In order to apply this setback, we must first determine the width of the route. SDCL ch 46-8 does not define the term route. The circuit court concluded that the word `routes' ... includes both the pipeline and the permanent easement to be acquired. Therefore, the circuit court further concluded that the setback should be measured from the exterior boundary of the seventy foot permanent easement. Lewis & Clark, however, contends that the word route only includes the actual pipeline and that the setback should be measured from the center of the pipeline. [¶ 23.] Because route is not defined we must determine and give effect to the intention of the Legislature. Federated Mut. Ins., 2000 SD 11, ¶ 18, 605 N.W.2d at 170. In making that determination, we consider the nature and purpose of the setback restriction. In this regard, it is notable that textually and historically the statute has imposed the setback from the actual waterwork rather than any associated easement. For example, the earliest version of this statute referred to a setback from the routes for the open waterways. See 1890 SD Sess Laws ch 103, § 2. This reference to a setback from a waterwork of some type has continued to this day. The latest related amendments suggest that by 1983, the Legislature was also concerned about structure[s] as well as pipelines, canals, ditches or other water conduits for the conveyance of water. See SDCL 46-8-1; SDCL 46-8-7. [¶ 24.] Thus, it is evident that the purpose of the setback restriction was to protect the property owner from the dangers, inconvenience, and loss of property use associated with an actual waterwork. Considering the danger and inconvenience posed by such open waterworks and structures, the 1890 Legislature would have contemplated a setback measurement from the bank of the waterway. There is also nothing to suggest that later Legislatures would have contemplated something different. However, the dangers and inconveniences that arise from waterworks do not arise from the easements that may be incidentally and occasionally used to maintain the waterwork. Therefore, we conclude that the setback restriction was intended to be measured from the waterwork rather than the easement: in this case, the outside dimension of the pipeline. [6]