Quarantine

There is no longer a joint federal/state quarantine. Federal deregulation of emerald ash borer took place on January 14, 2021.

The State of South Dakota maintains an Internal Quarantine that includes all of Brookings, Codington, Grant, Minnehaha, Lincoln, Turner, and Union Counties. This area was initially implemented in May 2018 and amended in May 2020, January 2023, July 2024, and June 2025.

The State of South Dakota has implemented an Exterior Quarantine/Embargo, effective June 1, 2021, that prohibits the entry of Regulated Articles described below that originate from areas outside South Dakota known to have EAB infestations, unless properly treated in accordance with the rules to prevent EAB movement. Untreated articles may enter Brookings, Codington, Grant, Minnehaha, Lincoln, and Union Counties through routes directly into those border counties and may not leave the Internal Quarantine area unless properly treated to eliminate the potential of moving the emerald ash borer.

Any person who is found in violation of the quarantine rules may be subject to civil and/or criminal penalties.

Regulated Articles include but are not limited to:

• Any life stage of the emerald ash borer
• Any ash nursery stock
• Ash logs
• Ash lumber
• Ash chips/mulch
• Wood packing material constructed of ash
• Hardwood firewood (non-coniferous)

Regulated articles can move freely within the Internal Quarantine boundaries, currently established as all of Brookings, Codington, Grant, Minnehaha, Lincoln, Turner, and Union Counties.

Regulated articles may only be moved outside the Internal Quarantine boundaries under a permit or compliance agreement issued by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR). An inspection is required to obtain a permit.

Although the regulation pertains to all hardwood firewood, it is preferred that no firewood be moved. All people are encouraged to purchase firewood as close to their destination as possible to not only prevent the spread of EAB, but also to avoid spreading other non-native pests that could be found in firewood that isn't local.

External Embargo

DANR has established an external embargo on regulated articles, including untreated firewood entering South Dakota from all states east of the eastern border of South Dakota and all counties where EAB is known to exist in other states.