COMMISSION BRIEFS

MCSO buys drone system

The Mason County Sheriff’s Office agreed with county commissioners to an annual contract with Brinc Safeguard LEMUR Tactical Drone system, and to provide supplemental funding to the 2024 budget and allow the office to purchase two drones this month.

According to the information packet, the drones will be used by the SWAT team for calls and to assist patrol when appropriate. The LEMUR is a purpose-used drone “specifically designed to be flown into buildings in order to clear rooms ahead of deputies, to identify potential hazards to deputies clearing a building, to find and challenge suspects and to create floor plan maps for use by tactical teams.” The tool is intended to increase officer safety by surveilling an area without being put in danger.

The cost is $19,999 annually for a three-year total of $62,012.90 with one-time purchase discount and tax.

Commissioners approve restoration sites agreement

Mason County Administrator Mark Neary was authorized to sign the landowner agreements for the Mason Conservation District to maintain restoration sites.

According to the information packet, the district wants to plant and provide stewardship to enhance the riparian area in the Skokomish River Valley for salmon habitat. Restoration sites are in landowner agreements and a restoration plan.

The agreements are part of a larger effort in the Skokomish Valley. Prior to planting, the district would prepare the sites for planting by treating invasive species (knotweed species, Himalayan blackberry, English ivy), which usually occurs in the fall, followed by another planting in the winter of native plants.

According to the packet, this will provide habitat for salmonid species and to revegetate areas that are unvegetated due to invasive treatment. The sites need to be maintained to allow the plants to established, and these activities occur a couple times per year for a minimum of three years.