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Clatsop County to Convert Marine Patrol to One Full‑Time Deputy as State and Federal Funding Shrink
Summary
County staff and the sheriff outlined changes to the marine patrol program after Oregon State Marine Board and federal funding declined. The county will staff one full‑time marine deputy year‑round and supplement with other funds and Coast Guard partnerships.
Clatsop County officials told commissioners during a June work session that the county will move its marine patrol program from a 1.5 full‑time‑equivalent (FTE) model to one full‑time deputy year‑round because state and federal funding for boat‑safety programs has declined.
The county manager and Sheriff Hector described the shift as a response to falling revenue from recreational boat registrations that historically funded Oregon State Marine Board contracts, and to the loss of federal “postcard marine” grant dollars that the Marine Board received from the U.S. Coast Guard. The sheriff said the federal portion represented roughly 30% of the Marine Board’s overall funding and that its loss was “the nail in the coffin” for continuing the 1.5 FTE model.
County staff said the previous 1.5 FTE arrangement assumed a deputy would work half the year on marine patrol and half the year on other patrol duties; in practice, staffing needs and vacations made that split impractical. Under the new plan, one deputy will be assigned year‑round to marine duties and the county will supplement the program with roughly $26,000 per year from another local rural law enforcement fund to keep coverage.
Officials emphasized that the Marine Board contract covers only recreational boating work, not commercial enforcement. The sheriff described longstanding operational collaboration with U.S. Coast Guard marine law enforcement teams, who often ride aboard county boats to provide joint state and federal authority during inspections and busy summer periods. County staff said winter patrols will focus on registrations, derelict and abandoned vessels, and hazardous sunken vessels; the sheriff noted four sunken or abandoned boats are currently being addressed.
No formal vote was required on the staffing change during the work session; staff presented the update so commissioners could ask questions before the item appears on a regular agenda if necessary.
Ending — County staff said the program will continue to be adjusted as Marine Board and federal funding levels change; commissioners asked staff to keep the board updated on operational impacts and any requests for supplemental county funding.
