[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 130 (Thursday, September 25, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1861]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




ON THE INTRODUCTION OF THE ABANDONED AND DERELICT VESSEL REMOVAL ACT OF 
                                  1997

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 25, 1997

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the Abandoned and 
Derelict Vessel Removal Act of 1997. This act will provide the 
necessary tools to clean up a long-term public nuisance resulting from 
abandoned boats and barges found in the navigable waters of many 
communities.
  Dozens of abandoned boats and other debris have accumulated along the 
Guadalupe Channel, which surrounds the community of Alviso, CA. This 
concern was first brought to my attention by members of the San Jose 
City Council, the Alviso Master Plan Task Force, and members of the 
Alviso community. These abandoned vessels are a public health and 
safety hazard to the community and to users in the adjacent public 
waterways. Unfortunately, Alviso is not the only community that suffers 
from this problem.
  Abandoned vessels do not just sit harmlessly by--these vessels are 
often used as an illegal dumping ground for hazardous materials. 
Between January 1988 and September 1991, the Federal Government spent 
$5.2 million to remove 282 abandoned vessels that blocked waterways. In 
that same time, Government spent nearly $5.7 million to clean up 
pollutants from just 96 abandoned vessels.
  This legislation will establish clear authority to remove vessels 
left unattended in a public waterway for more than 45 days unless the 
waterway has been designated as a harbor or marina. Vessels left 
unattended in an approved harbor or marina for more than 60 days would 
also be subject to removal.
  This legislation empowers local authorities to keep public waterways 
clear while allowing boat or barge owners the opportunity to repair and 
remove vessels that are not actually abandoned. In addition, the 
removal of these derelict vessels will alleviate some concerns 
regarding water quality and its impact on the public health of the 
local community.
  This legislation will promote cooperation between interested local 
citizens, community groups, and government agencies in their joint 
efforts to preserve and protect the navigable waters of the United 
States. It will hold boat owners accountable for their vessels. Under 
this bill, a community can instigate action by petitioning a local 
elected official to notify the Secretary of the Army. Proceedings to 
notify the boat owner, and ultimately to remove the boat, would then be 
taken by the Secretary.
  Many States and local governments are proposing solutions to the 
problem of abandoned and derelict vessels. This legislation will not 
supersede local initiatives with equal or greater cleanup impact.
  I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

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