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Show Attorney General's office gives opinion on F.G. rescue duty The primary responsibility for search-and-rescue operations at Flaming Gorge Reservoir rests with the Daggett County sheriff, according to an attorney general's opinion. Michael M. Quealy, assistant Utah attorney general, said although several state and federal agencies have boats and employees stationed around the reservoir, the county sheriff should lead any search-and-rescue attempts. Quealy said the primary responsibility respon-sibility of the state and federal agencies is using their boats and employees to enforce specific laws and govern programs rather than become involved in search and rescue. However, if any of the agencies learns of anyone in trouble it attempts to render assistance. Quealy said there are no laws outlining who has the responsibility for search and rescue, but the county nas the responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of its citizens and that includes rearch and rescue. The U.S. Forest Service is authorized to participate in search and rescue operations on national forest land under federal law, but that means the county sheriff should lead the way and the federal agency would assist. Quealy suggested that the county draft an agreement with federal and state agencies under the Interlocal Cooperation Act to outline who is responsible for taking the lead in search-and-rescue operations on the reservoir. The opinion was requested by Daggett County Attorney Clark B. Allred because of a question that arose last summer about which agency should aid some boaters in trouble. |