Chelan County Sheriff’s office receives funding for forest patrols

WENATCHEE — The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) has received additional federal funding to support law enforcement patrols across the county’s vast network of public lands, reinforcing an ongoing partnership with the U.S. Forest Service as outdoor use continues to grow.

Sheriff Mike Morrison announced that the agency has been awarded $25,000 in Recreation Residence Fee Retention Funds from the U.S. Forest Service. The funding will now be provided as a revolving annual receipt, allowing the Sheriff’s Office to continue supporting patrol operations across federal lands within Chelan County.

Public land makes up the majority of the county’s landscape. Roughly 1.3 million acres, or nearly 70 percent of Chelan County, are managed by the Forest Service. When combined with other federal, state and local holdings, more than 80 percent of the county consists of public land, creating a significant need for coordinated law enforcement coverage.

The CCSO remains one of only two agencies in Washington still participating in the Forest Service’s cooperative law enforcement program, which helps fund deputies who patrol federal lands and respond to incidents in remote areas.

In 2024, the Sheriff’s Office expanded the program from one deputy to two deputies assigned to Forest Service lands. The change introduced a scheduled, year-round patrol model designed to improve coverage and better meet contractual obligations with the Forest Service while responding to rising visitor numbers and increasing service calls.

According to the Sheriff’s Office, the program has exceeded expectations despite ongoing federal staffing challenges.

The new funding builds on earlier support tied to the program’s expansion. Officials reported that the Sheriff’s Office received an additional $20,000 in 2024 to support the enhanced patrol model through 2025.

Those resources have helped deputies address issues tied to heavy recreation use, including environmental damage, wildfire risks, illegal dumping and unlawful encampments. Deputies also work to educate visitors about responsible recreation on public lands.

Morrison expressed appreciation to the Forest Service for continuing to support the program and its role in protecting the county’s natural resources.

The partnership, officials said, helps ensure that Chelan County’s extensive public lands remain safe and accessible for both residents and the growing number of visitors who use the region’s forests and recreation areas each year.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media