My Fellow South Dakotans:

We activated the South Dakota Drought Task Force in 2004 to closely monitor drought conditions and to implement proactive drought aid. Implementing this task force allows us to look for resources within our agencies, to generate a united plan of action and to work together with state and federal agencies during a drought emergency or disaster.

The drought has impacted not only our farmers and ranchers but also the Missouri River. The task force strategically placed water tanks across the state where water sources were limited to help ease and prevent hardship linked to drought.

Members of the Drought Task Force currently include the Governor’s Office, Department of Public Safety; Department of Agriculture; Game, Fish and Parks; Environment and Natural Resources ; Military and Veterans Affairs; South Dakota Association of County Commissioners; SDSU Cooperative Extension Service; SD Association of Rural Water Systems; SD Association of County Commissioners and Bureau of Information and Telecommunications.

The Drought Task Force’s responsibilities include:

• Examining state and federal programs
• Assembling and analyzing data
• Creating a mechanism for monitoring the development and seriousness of drought
• Establishing a plan for drought damage assessment
• Measuring the severity of the situation on the economic and social sectors of the state

Please use the links provided on this site as a resource. I am proud to be your governor and am committed to protecting this great state.


Sincerely,

Governor Mike Rounds

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