WHEREAS derelict and abandoned vessels in the waters of coastal British Columbia can pose a threat to the aesthetics, environment, health and safety of coastal communities; AND WHEREAS the current regulatory regime for the removal of derelict and abandoned vessels from the waters of coastal British Columbia is not serving our communities with effective and timely removal of such vessels: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM call upon the federal and provincial governments to implement a Derelict Vessel Removal Program modelled after the Washington State program, and to designate the Canadian Coast Guard as the receiver of wreck in the case of every abandoned or derelict vessel in the waters of coastal British Columbia.
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations The Province shares many of the concerns expressed by coastal communities with respect to derelict and abandoned vessels in coastal waters. The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations FLNR is actively exploring long-term solutions within available resources during a period of fiscal constraint. FLNR is participating in the development of a guidance paper to clarify roles and responsibilities for each organization with a mandate to address derelict vessels. The paper is being reviewed by the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General. The estimated time for completion of the review and posting of the paper on the FLNRO internet site is February 14, 2013. FLNR communicates regularly with Transport Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard and works with the federal agencies to find collaborative solutions for addressing concerns associated with derelict and abandoned vessels. In 201112, FLNR worked with local governments and individuals wishing to accept responsibility for vessel cleanup by contributing some operational funding to cover partial equipment costs associated with the removal of vessels. Staff from regional-federal agencies are working with their counterparts in Ottawa to seek funding and to develop a permanent solution for the Pacific coast.