This week, Ear to the Ground presents highlights from the first-year report card on DNR’s Strategic Plan goals.
Abandoned or derelict vessels in our waterways cause a number of public safety and environmental hazards, including, releasing toxic pollutants into the environment, blocking navigation, and severely damaging passing vessels. DNR’s nationally recognized Derelict Vessel Removal Program was created to help solve this toxic problem, and now it is even better.
Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark requested the derelict vessel legislation that would help DNR remove these problem vessels. In 2011 the bill, SB 5271, was signed into law. It is helping DNR and partner agencies more efficiently deal with derelict vessels owners, holding them more accountable by:
- Clarifying that knowingly causing a vessel to sink, break up, block navigational channels or contaminate the environment is grounds for a misdemeanor.
- Providing liability immunity to public entities acting in good faith under the provisions of the Derelict Vessel Removal Act.
- Clarifying that Ports have the same funding match that is required in RCW 79.100.
- Allowing local governments to contract with marinas to remove abandoned vessels as they can with derelict vessels.
See more of our milestones and goals.
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EAR TO THE GROUND WITH DNR & COMMISSIONER FRANZ 