EPHRATA - The Grant County Sheriff's Office will continue to provide enforcement and maintenance at the Moses Lake and Beverly Sand Dunes, thanks to a grant awarded Tuesday.

Two grants, provided by the state Recreation and Conservation Funding Board, allow funding for two deputies to maintain and operate the Moses Lake Sand Dunes and provide education and enforcement at both sand dune attractions, covering about 8,500 acres of off-road vehicle areas. The sheriff's office was rewarded about $188,000 to support the off road vehicle unit. The sheriff's office has provided this program for more than 25 years.

The funding board acknowledged the continued enforcement of off-road vehicle laws and the alcohol ban in the sand dunes area has helped decrease injury, death and the impact on the environment. About 90,000 off-road users use the area each year, according to the sheriff's office, and is increasing every year.

The two deputies will also be responsible for managing maintenance including fence repair, cleaning restrooms, repairing signs and removing garbage.

A portion of the funds will also pay for a new patrol truck and educational materials used for special events, school presentations and includes brochures and signs.

The sheriff's office will contribute more than $25,000 in labor for maintaining the area and $191,000 in cash and agency equipment, staff labor and materials for education and enforcement.

Grant County was awarded about $2.1 million in total from the funding board, with the majority of the funds supporting the conservation of the sand dunes at the Wanapum Natural Area Preserve.

The state Department of Natural Resources plans to buy about 2,200 acres of landnear Vantage to include in the area preserve to protect the striped whipsnake habitat and 13 other species and ecological systems.

The grants are part of the Nonhighway and Off-road Vehicle Activities program. The sheriff's office is the only public agency in Grant County to provide education and enforcement services for off-road vehicle users.