RES 2002-04 ABANDONED & DEREDICT VESSSELSRESOLUTION NO. 2002-04
A RESOLUTION of the City of Bainbridge Island, Washington, supporting
House Bill 2376, an act relating to abandoned and derelict vessels.
WHEREAS, derelict and abandoned vessels that are grounded or anchored
upon publicly/privately owned submerged tidelands are public nuisances and safety
hazards as they often post hazards to navigation, detract from the aesthetics of
Washington's waterways, and threaten the environment with the potential release of
hazardous materials.
WHEREAS, the costs associated with the disposal of derelict and abandoned
vessels are substantial, and in many cases there is no way to track down the current vessel
owners in order to seek compensation for the costs associated with the removal of derelict
vessels and becomes a burden on public entities and the taxpaying public.
WHEREAS, HB2376 declares it unlawful for a person, firm, corporation, or
public entity to leave an abandoned or derelict vessel upon aquatic lands in this state. If
the owner or operator of the vessel previously thought to be abandoned is located that
owner or operator of the vessel must be given a reasonable opportunity to obtain property
authorization to re -locate the vessel onto publicly owned aquatic lands, either through
relocation to a marina or in accordance with RCW79.90.105.
WHEREAS, HB2376 provides that an authorized public entity has the authority,
subject to the processes and limitations of this act, to store, strip, use, auction, sell, salvage,
scrap, or dispose of an abandoned or derelict vessel existing on or above aquatic lands within the
I urisdiction of the authorized public entity.
WHEREAS, the derelict vessel removal account is created in the State treasury
and expenditures from the account shall be used by the Department of Natural Resources
to reimburse authorized public entities for seventy-five percent of the costs of removal.
Two dollars will be collected annually from every vessel registration application to
support the account.
BE IT RESOLVED by the Bainbridge Island City Council that it supports
House Bill 2376, an act relating to abandoned and derelict vessels.
PASSED by the City Council this 13`h day of February 2002.
APPROVED by the Mayor this 1 `h day of February 2002.
1 1�iit_
DARLENE
ATTEST/AUTHENTICATE:
SSANP. KASPER, City Cler
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: February 6, 2002
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: February 13, 2002
RESOLUTION NO. 2002-04