River Enforcement Operation

On Saturday, July 28th, rangers coordinated an interagency enforcement operation in partnership with the Wisconsin State Patrol and Washburn County Sheriffs Department. A three-mile stretch of the Namekagon River was chosen for this operation, since recent summer visitor counts have estimated more than 1,500 people use this short section of river to kayak, canoe and inner tube. This intense visitor use has led to frequent law enforcement incidents over the past few years. The 12-hour operation resulted in one felony arrest and one misdemeanor arrest, 20 violation notices, and 26 warning notices on federal and state charges, including felony battery, disorderly conduct, interfering with agency functions, underage possession of alcohol, gift of alcohol to underage persons, possession of marijuana, opened container of alcohol in a vehicle, vehicle equipment violation, possession of fireworks, excessive speed, failure to use a seatbelt, failure to comply with traffic control devices, littering and various closure violations. Three EMS incidents were also handled during the operational period. Seven rangers, three state troopers, and three county deputies participated in the operation. More enforcement operations are being planned for the future.  Namekagon district ranger Chuck Carlson served as IC, ranger Duane Grego served as operations officer.