S.D. Codified Laws § 46A-9-16
The Board of Water and Natural Resources, within ninety days from the receipt of the petition, or within ninety days from the time funds become available to defray the cost of the investigation, shall declare that the proposed project is or is not feasible and conforming to public convenience and welfare. If the project is deemed not feasible, the board shall dismiss the petition. However, if the board deems the project feasible and conforming to public convenience and welfare, the board shall immediately execute a certificate, in duplicate, setting forth a true copy of the petition and declaring that the petition is approved. The board shall file the certificate in the Office of the Secretary of State and a copy of the certificate, certified by the secretary of state, in the office of the county auditor of each county in which any of the lands in the water user district are located. Thereupon, the district, under its designated name, is a body politic and corporate under the provisions of this chapter and is a public corporation of the State of South Dakota.
SDCL 46A-9-16