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Grant funds were unavailable for
the 2004/2005 state fiscal year.
INTRODUCTION
The Derelict Vessel Removal Program is a financial assistance grant
program, providing funds to coastal local governments for the
reimbursement of the removal of derelict vessels (DV) from coastal
waters of the State.
An abandoned vessel becomes a derelict vessel only after all
available means to have the rightful owner remove the vessel have
failed. An investigation is conducted by the local Florida Fish and
Wildlife office and can involve court orders requiring the removal.
In many cases the attempt to identify the owner is unsuccessful, and
after proper notice the vessel is declared derelict. Only after this
declaration, is the vessel eligible for removal under this grant
program.
PROGRAM HISTORY
Chapter 376.11, F.S. established the Florida Coastal Protection
Trust Fund and provided for the funding of a grant program to
coastal local governments for the removal of derelict vessels from
the public waters of the State. In July 1980, the program was
established within the Division of Law Enforcement. In March 1981,
it was transferred to the Division of Marine Resources. Since that
time the program has been assigned to the Divisions of State Lands
and Recreation and Parks. In August 1993, the program was reassigned
to the D.E.P. Division of Law Enforcement. In 1999, the program was
transferred to the F.W.C. Division of Law Enforcement, and now under
the new office of Boating and waterways.
PROGRAM FUNDING AND PARTICIPATION
Funding is appropriated by the Legislature for each fiscal year.
Pursuant to 62N-16.029(6), Florida Administrative Code (FAC), the
Division of Law Enforcement contracts with coastal local governments
that have been awarded grants (grantees) for the removal and
disposal of DVs within their jurisdictions. In the 2002-2003 fiscal
year, 12 grantees participated in the program, resulting in the
removal of 47 DVs and in addition the removal of 6 larger derelict
vessels over 100 feet in length.
In recent years, DV funding requests have averaged nearly
$1,600,000. During recent years vessels have been removed that were
identified as many as ten years ago. This leaves many DVs in place
for years before grant funding is available for their removal.
PROGRAM FUNDING PROCESS
Grantees provide the Division of Law Enforcement with their grant
applications during an annual grant application period. For
2003-2004 fiscal year, funding for the program was not approved. The grantee's proposal is prioritized and
bid-based estimates of the cost to remove and dispose of the DVs are
listed. These estimations are used to allocate funding. A
recommendation is developed on the distribution of the grant funds
by an evaluation committee and is submitted to the Division Director
for review and approval. After approval, a contract for each grantee
is executed, after which, the grantee can begin the DV removal
process.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For additional information regarding this program or an
application, contact:
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission,
Division of Law Enforcement, Office of Boating and Waterways
620 S. Meridian St., Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600
(850)-488-5600 Sun-Com 278-5600
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