derelict vessel removal program
Balance of the Derelict Vessel Removal Fund
During the 2007 Legislative Session several temporary changes were made relating to the funding of the program. In addition to the regular appropriation for derelict and abandoned vessel removal (approximately $500,000/year), the Legislature re-appropriated $500,000 that had been collected during the program’s start up years but that had not been spent while the agency was creating and establishing the program. In response to DNR’s concerns that the regular program funding would not allow disposal of several large abandoned ships, they appropriated $2 million from watercraft excise tax (via the general fund) for removal and disposal of vessels larger than 75’ and requested that DNR create two work groups to look at large vessel disposal options and funding issues, respectively. A copy of our November report to the Legislature can be found in the right hand column. The Legislature also appropriated $1 million for the removal and disposal of two sunken dry docks on Lake Washington.
The following table summarizes these moneys for the 2007-09 biennium. The table lists the amounts appropriated by the Legislature; actual amounts in the account and available for spending at any given time may be different because the money comes in to the fund as boats are registered (with the majority of the funds deposited May through July of each year). DNR’s fiscal year runs July 1 to June 30. If agencies are planning a removal project anticipated to cost more than $50,000 they should contact DNR prior to conducting the removal to verify the actual available fund balance. Committed Funds are funds that will be used on projects already underway. The following table was last updated on 12/30/08.
| Derelict Vessel Removal Account | $1,554,000.00 | $980,529.12 | $325,233.31 | $248,237.57 |
| Large Vessel Appropriation | $2,000,000.00 | $1,347,104.21 | $610,890.07 | $42,005.72 |
| Lake Washington Dry Docks Appropriation* | $1,000,000.00 | $1,000,000.00 | $0.00 | 0.00 |
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DNR will reimburse authorized public entities for the removal and disposal of vessels as funding allows. The derelict vessel removal statutes do not guarantee reimbursement to an authorized public entity. Any authorized public entity concerned about reimbursement may request an assurance of funds prior to taking action on the vessel. The notification, in the form of an Application for Assurance of Funds, details the action to be taken as well as the estimated costs. Once DNR receives the application, DNR will notify the Authorized Public Entitiy of the status of the account and the likelihood of reimbursement. If appropriate, DNR will assure reimbursement of a given cost for up to two years through an Interagency Agreement. Appropriateness will be based on costs, account status, and vessel priority. See
RCW 79.100.100.