PIERRE, S.D.(Press Release) – On Friday, Gov. Kristi Noem announced additional missions that are being undertaken by the South Dakota National Guard in response to the winter storms across South Dakota.

On Thursday, Governor Noem announced that the Guard is hauling available firewood from the Black Hills Forest Service to the Rosebud Sioux Tribe.

In addition to this mission, the Guard will also be hauling timber to the Oglala Sioux Tribe. They will also be helping with snow removal in support of both the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and the Oglala Sioux Tribe. They will be performing these missions in conjunction with the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Transportation.

The South Dakota National Guard has been activated pursuant to the statewide emergency, and resources are needed to provide additional assistance to the tribes. When the tribes request help, it is evaluated to see if it is an appropriate use for our National Guard.

These actions are in addition to the ongoing steps being taken by numerous state agencies, especially the South Dakota Department of Public Safety and the South Dakota Department of Transportation.