PORT ANGELES — Clallam County received a $41,225 federal allocation Tuesday to keep the Chain Gang working on Forest Service lands through the remainder of this year and into 2012.
“I think it will probably get us into probably late spring or early summer,” said Ron Sukert, Clallam County jail superintendent.
The money will be used to pay for the travel, supervision and supplies of the inmate work crews that clean up illegal dump sites in the woods and clean out culverts on Forest Service lands.
The contract modification that the commissioners passed 3-0 Tuesday is a continuation of an existing agreement with the federal government, Sukert explained.
Commissioner Mike Doherty said the federal dollars will be up for re-appropriation next year, and the county will work to keep the Chain Gang funded beyond 2012.
Commissioner Mike Chapman thanked Sukert for “keeping this program going.”
“The Chain Gang program is probably one of the more popular,” Chapman said.
“These Chain Gangs do a lot of good work for the Forest Service.”
The Clallam County Sheriff’s Office oversees the jail budget, which includes the Chain Gang.
________
Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
