AHSAHKA, Idaho – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers park rangers at Dworshak Dam and Reservoir need help obtaining information about recent damage to a life jacket loaner board located near Boat Ramp-2 at Bruces Eddy Recreation Area.
On Sept. 11, Corps rangers found the loaner board had been vandalized -- the metal arms which hold the life jackets had been ripped off the loaner board. Rangers estimate it will cost about $200 to repair the board and replace the metal arms.
The loaner boards provide visitors with free use of life jackets while using recreation facilities at Dworshak Dam and Reservoir. By providing free life jackets to borrow, rangers hope more visitors will wear them and help prevent water-related fatalities.
Dworshak rangers would like to remind the public about the Corps Watch program – a crime-watch deterrence program aimed at protecting U.S. Army Corps of Engineers assets. Each year, millions of dollars in federal property are lost due to vandalism, larceny, arson, and environmental and cultural degradation. To help fight these crimes and reduce operations and maintenance costs, the Corps received congressional authority to offer cash rewards of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of individuals causing damage to Corps of Engineers property.
Witnesses or others with information about the life jacket loaner board vandalism -- or any other Corps-property-related crime -- are encouraged to use the toll-free number, 1-866-413-7970, 24 hours a day, to report the incident. Callers can remain anonymous. This program does not replace the 911 emergency notification system. Callers can also report vandalism by calling the Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office at: 208-476-4521.
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Release no. 12-085