Council urged to back more state funding for derelict and sunken vessels after $3M appropriation seen as insufficient

Ed Reed told the council that the package includes a new request for increased state funding to remove derelict and sunken vessels, describing the VMRC’s recent $3,000,000 appropriation as only a first step that does not meet statewide need. Councilman Brown asked whether the proposed funding would allow localities to remove vessels without locating owners and who would ultimately bear removal costs; Reed said the appropriation is through VMRC and he was not certain of the legal mechanics but assumed funding would be allocated to localities for use.

"In the last budget, VMRC did appropriate, $3,000,000 just for the 1st year of the budget, for derelict and sunken boats," Reed said, adding the appropriation is "just a drop in the bucket for what the need is." Council asked staff to provide more legal detail on whether removal can proceed without owner identification and to identify potential funding mechanisms that would make localities whole for cleanup costs.

Staff will follow up with VMRC and counsel on implementation mechanics and a recommended approach for including a funding request in the November package.