Grant PUD hires law enforcement to keep people off closed shoreline
Various boat launches and water access points near Wanapum Dam have been closed because of safety issues along the soft, exposed shoreline.
BEVERLY -- The closed shoreline on the Columbia River now has Grant County Sheriff's deputies and other law enforcement official patrolling, and keeping people away.
This Saturday and Sunday sheriff's deputies will be patrolling in the Columbia River and the shoreline. Sheriff's office spokesman Kyle Foreman said the number of deputies will change depending on how many people deputies contact. He said that deputies will be issuing warnings at first "but if we see the same people coming back it will be the officers' discretion if they issue a citation." Charges would include criminal trespassing, a misdemeanor, and possibly disturbing culturally sensitive areas, which is a federal crime.
Grant County PUD spokesman Thomas Stredwick said the agency has hired a private security firm, department of fish and wildlife officers and sheriff's deputies from Grant, Douglas, Kittitas and Chelan counties to patrol.
"We all understand that seeing the shoreline like it is now is a once in a lifetime opportunity, but we have to keep public safety in mind," Stredwick said mud flats of up to 10 feet have formed on the shoreline and walking on it is very dangerous to the public,
For more information, see Monday's edition of the Columbia Basin Herald.
- Staff Report