The Tillamook County Board of Commissioners voted to approve a five-year cooperative law enforcement agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and Siuslaw National Forest to continue funding law enforcement services on national forest lands, including a Sand Lake recreational deputy.

Undersheriff Matt Kelly described the agreement as a long-standing partnership and said the contract supports the Sand Lake recreational deputy’s work keeping visitors safe during busy recreation seasons and addressing theft and other problems on forest lands in the off season. “It’s kind of what we model any future agreements or contracts for,” he said, adding the contract runs through April 30, 2030.

Commissioners said they were relieved the federal contract process — delayed at times — reached the county and praised the importance of an enforcement presence at Sand Lake during summer weekends. After discussion, a commissioner moved approval of the agreement and another commissioner seconded; the board voted unanimously.

No amendments or conditions were noted in the meeting record.