Emerald Ash Borer Information Forum Scheduled

South Dakota Department of Agriculture

News Release

 

 

For Immediate Release: May 16, 2018

Media Contact: Lorrin Naasz, 605.773.6211

 

 

Emerald Ash Borer Information Forum Scheduled

 

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA) is hosting an informational forum on Thursday, May 17, at 6:30 p.m. at the Game, Fish and Parks Outdoor Campus located at 4500 S. Oxbow Ave. in Sioux Falls. This forum will provide important information for residents on the recent emerald ash borer (EAB) find, the quarantine that has been established and current efforts to limit its spread. Dr. John Ball, forest health specialist for the SDDA and SDSU Extension Forester, as well as officials from the SDDA and the City of Sioux Falls, will present information and answer questions.

 

On May 9, an infestation of emerald ash borer (EAB) was confirmed in northern Sioux Falls. This is the first confirmed infestation in South Dakota. Emerald ash borer is an invasive insect that has killed tens of millions of ash trees in at least 32 states.

 

A quarantine has been established to restrict the movement of ash materials in all of Minnehaha County, in areas north of Highway 18 in Lincoln County and north of Highway 18 and east of Highway 19 in Turner County, unless accompanied by the appropriate authorization from the SDDA.

 

More information on EAB and response efforts can be found by visiting emeraldashborerinsouthdakota.sd.gov, the SDDA’s dedicated EAB webpage.

 

Agriculture is a major contributor to South Dakota’s economy, generating $25.6 billion in annual economic activity and employing over 115,000 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture’s mission is to promote, protect and preserve South Dakota agriculture for today and tomorrow. Visit us online at sdda.sd.gov or find us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

 

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