SD Governor Signs Funding Bill For Beetle Fight

South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard has signed into law a bill that provides an additional $2 million in state funding to help counties fight mountain pine beetles.

The Legislature recently passed Daugaard's request for the additional funding to continue a three-year effort that began in 2011.

The $2 million will be available immediately to help counties fight the insects that have devastated pine forests in parts of the Black Hills.  The state will provide $2 for every $1 in new county spending in the battle against mountain pine beetles.

Daugaard says the state, local governments and private landowners have worked for several years to suppress the pine beetle epidemic. He says he is pleased state lawmakers supported the plan to provide more money for the battle.