December 6, 2023 |
Photo – Snowmobiles in Snowy Range – Courtesy Saratoga Inn’s Wyoming Outdoor Adventures
The Carbon County Sheriff’s Office will purchase two pre-owned snowmobiles to better patrol the Snowy Range.
In the year 2000, Congress created the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act. The bill provides financial assistance to rural counties containing federal lands.
At yesterday’s Board of Carbon County Commissioners meeting, County Clerk Gwynn Bartlett said Carbon County received $37,000 in federal funding. Clerk Bartlett said the money is traditionally used to reimburse Search and Rescue volunteers.
Clerk Bartlett said the Secure Rural Schools funding contains stipulations on how it can be used. The county clerk said the federal government requires the money to pay for equipment and services associated with US Forest Service land.
Clerk Bartlett said Carbon County Sheriff Alex Bakken wished to allocate a portion of the Secure Rural Schools funding for his department.
Addressing the board, Sheriff Bakken said Carbon County attracts snowmobilers from across the country.
Sheriff Bakken said along with the usual law enforcement duties, his department is also responsible for conducting search and rescue operations in the Snowy Range. The sheriff asked the board to allow him to use some of the Secure Rural Schools funding to buy snowmobiles for Carbon County Search and Rescue volunteers to use.
Carbon County Search and Rescue volunteers use their personal vehicles when conducting search and rescue operations.
Sheriff Bakken said because new sleds are very expensive, he will focus on obtaining two preowned snowmobiles. The sheriff said the machines will be used in conjunction with his department’s tracked rescue vehicle, called a Hagglund, to quickly locate stranded or injured people.
Sheriff Bakken said spending roughly $20,000 on two used snowmobiles will leave enough money for him to also purchase a trailer for the sleds.
Councilman Garrett Irene asked the sheriff if the snowmobiles will only be used for search and rescue operations. Sheriff Bakken said his deputies will also use the sleds to patrol the Snowy Range.
Sheriff Bakken said he believes that, if the board approves his request, the Carbon County Sheriff’s Office will be the first law enforcement agency in Wyoming to have a snowmobile patrol. The sheriff says he’s hoping to set an example for the entire state.
The board voted to allow Sheriff Bakken to use a portion of the Secure Rural Schools funding to buy two used snowmobiles. Clerk Bartlett said she’ll ensure $5,000 to $8,000 is set aside to pay for Search and Rescue volunteer stipends.
Sheriff Bakken said he expects to have the sleds picked out by December 31st.
