Water Education Foundation
This is just one post in the Delta Issues Category
Click here to view all posts

Wolk bill to speed removal of abandoned vessels moves forward

Posted by: Maven on April 30, 2009 at 11:54 am

On my recent trip to the Delta, I saw a number of abandoned boats, an unfortunate sign of the times.  So this sounds to me like some good news for the situation from the office of State Senator Lois Wolk:

Legislation to expedite the process by which boats and other vessels abandoned or trespassing on state waterways including the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta cleared its first hurdle at the State Capitol yesterday. Senate Bill 459 by Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis) creates an expedited process for the State Lands Commission, the bill’s sponsor, to remove and dispose of abandoned and trespassing vessels on state waterways.

“There are an increasing number of boat owners storing their vessels on state lands without permission, even dumping or abandoning their vessels,” said Wolk. “These vessels often pollute the water and present safety issues. This problem is evident throughout the state and country’s waterways. But it is particularly acute in the Delta.”

Currently the State Lands Commission has authority to remove and dispose of abandoned and trespassing vessels on state lands. However, the process is cumbersome and requires the commission to file lawsuits through the Attorney General’s Office. This bill will permit the commission to decide the final disposition of abandoned and trespassing vessels through an administrative process.

“The commission thinks this measure will be extremely helpful in allowing the commission clean up our waterways and protect the state against potential liability,” testified Mario De Bernardo on behalf of the bill’s sponsor, the State Lands Commission.

SB 459, which passed from the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee on an 8-1 vote, will next be heard in Senate Judiciary Committee.

April 30, 2009 · Filed Under Delta Issues

Comments

Leave a Reply