This past week, BPC staff was invited to attend an Abandoned Vessels Work Group meeting at the California State Lands Commission offices in Hercules. The meeting was attended by officials from numerous federal, state, and local agencies including the U.S. Coast Guard, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Bay Conservation and Development Commission, as well as by stakeholders such as Port of San Francisco, Sims Metal Management, and Alameda Marina.
We received a presentation from Troy Wood, at the Department of Natural Resources in Washington, on their state derelict vessel removal program. It was clear from the dialogue that the group found real value in learning about different management strategies as the San Francisco Bay region continues to seek more effective ways in removing abandoned and derelict vessels.
We also learned that the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Office of Spill Prevention and Response, is planning a survey to identify the number of abandoned vessels in the Delta. The survey is set to take place in the spring and has the potential to inform on future legislation for greater support of state programs on abandoned and derelict vessels.
Abandoned and derelict vessels is an issue that quickly emerged when BPC first formed its Marinas & Boatyards
Committee in 2016. Questions related to authority, enforcement, and funding prompted the Committee to develop an Expert Briefing that included abandoned and derelict vessels as a focus. The topic will be discussed in the form a panel featuring staff from the Division of Boating and Waterways, Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff, the Port of Redwood City, and others. We invite you to join us as BPC takes a deeper look into the management of abandoned and derelict vessels in the San Francisco Bay region.
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“The Bay Planning Coalition is a non-profit organization well known for its advocacy and credibility in the San Francisco Bay Area corporate and environmental community. When we speak about an issue, legislators and regulators listen.” – John A. Coleman CEO
Tags: abandoned vessels, boating, derelict vessels, expert briefing