Aquatic Lands Update Masthead
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) manages 2.6 million acres of state-owned aquatic lands as a public trust for people of Washington. This e-newsletter, published by DNR's Aquatic Resources Division, is intended to provide information about state-owned aquatic lands, stewardship measures to protect aquatic lands, and emerging issues that affect these lands.

In this issue:

 

rulemaking
DNR seeks public input on proposed rules for selling older, longer vessels

Golden West (l) and Helena Star (r) in Tacoma's Hylebos Waterway. Photo: Toni Droscher / DNR

For the past several years, derelict and abandoned vessels have achieved an unfortunate degree of notoriety in Washington state. Last year, the Washington State Legislature passed a bill (ESHB 1245) intended to strengthen the state's ability to deal with vessels before they become environmental and public safety hazards.

 

Part of the legislation proposes new rules that will require owners of older, longer vessels to obtain a marine survey of their vessels prior to sale. The rules acknowledge that these vessels, most of which once served in a commercial capacity, are the most costly to remove from Washington waters and to dispose of in an environmentally responsible way.

 

As part of the rule-making process, the public can comment on the rules through a variety of channels: at public hearings, by mail, email or fax. The deadline to comment is March 28.

 

leg
Speaking of derelict vessels...

 

This week, the state Legislature further enhanced last year's derelict vessel legislation when it passed Second Substitute House Bill (2SHB) 2457. Highlights of the bill:

  • Establishes a 'derelict vessel removal fee' of $1 per foot on those commercial vessels required to be listed with the Department of Revenue. Revenue from this fee will go into the state's Derelict Vessel Removal Account, which is managed by DNR.
  • Requires moorage facilities and owners of vessels moored at these facilities to carry marine insurance.
  • Vessels older than 40 years and longer than 65 feet must have insurance at the time of sale.
  • Prohibits the sale of unseaworthy vessels older than 40 years and longer than 65 feet.
  • Exempts vessel deconstruction activities from the retail sales and use tax.
  • Creates new penalties for failing to register a vessel.

Download 2SHB 2457, passed by the 2014 Legislature. The bill has now been delivered to the Governor's Office for signing.

 

dive

Safety Conference for Professional Divers is April 7-8 in Seattle

 

Do you know any professional divers who make their living working under water? 

A diver helps attach a lifting cable to a sunken derelict vessel. Photo: Tammy Robbins / DNR

 

DNR is hosting a FREE conference dedicated to improving safety for professional divers and providing the latest scientific research, technology and best management practices related to dive safety.

 

The conference is April 7-8 at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle.

 

While the conference is free, registration is required.

  • Learn more about the Dive Safety Conference, download an agenda, and register.

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survey

Help DNR improve its website -- take our survey

 

DNR is in the process of evaluating the agency's website to update the design and to create a more user-friendly experience. Our primary goal is to make sure you can find the information you need and accomplish tasks quickly and easily.

 

Please complete a 3-5 minute online survey to let us know ways we can improve the website to meet your needs. The survey ends Friday, March 21.

 

You can access the survey through the following link:; https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5G3XX35
 

Please help us expand our reach by passing this message along to your colleagues, interest groups and friends. If you have questions, please contact Diana Lofflin, DNR Interim Communications Director, at [email protected].

 

Thank you in advance for your feedback.

 

 

 


Washington State Department of Natural Resources
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Questions about what you've read in this e-newsletter? Send us an email.

March 2014
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