ST. PAUL — While the hardwater season may be behind us, county sheriffs will soon have an avenue to be reimbursed by the state after an ice rescue.
County sheriffs have jurisdiction over emergencies on the state’s waterways, whether it’s liquid or solid, but until this change, the state would only reimburse counties for an open water rescue.
Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk was involved with the legislation authored by House District 6A Rep. Ben Davis, R-Mission Township. The sheriff testified in committee about a drowning incident on Lake of the Woods, where a team comprised of divers from Beltrami, Cass and Hubbard counties assisted with recovering the victim.
Welk said he investigated reimbursement for the out-of-county operation and learned of the discrepancy.
“The DNR tells me, 'Yeah, well, you could do that if it wasn't frozen.’ Like, what do you mean? ‘Well, if the water's got ice on it ... that account doesn't work ... it only can be for open water.’ Like, you're kidding me.”
In Beltrami County, anglers fishing Upper Red Lake last winter required numerous large-scale rescue operations, prompting Beltrami County Sheriff Jason Riggs to temporarily restrict access. Riggs said reimbursements would help his budget. His office averages between six and eight ice rescues a year.
"... We can put in for reimbursement with the state for if we've got special equipment involved, any rentals, dive team reimbursement, those kinds of things,” Riggs said. “And then in addition man hours and some of the fuel expenses that would be associated with a large scale or a lengthy recovery.”
With the change, both open water and ice rescues are reimbursable, reducing the impact on county’s taxpayer-funded budgets for ice rescues.
The 2024 Minnesota Legislature’s environmental omnibus bill, signed into law by Gov. Tim Walz, includes reimbursements of up to $5,000 per rescue on the ice.
