Law signed for removal of abandoned commercial vessels on Delta

[WB Staff]

New legislation authored by Assemblymember Jim Frazier, D-Discovery Bay, and signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom, calls for the development of a plan to deal with abandoned and derelict commercial vessels in the Delta. A draft of that plan is now available for review and public comment.

Assembly Bill 2441 is a 27-page report delivered by the State Lands Commission on July 1, with several objectives, including: developing a risk-based approach to prioritizing vessels; developing the infrastructure to remove vessels; and developing a cost basis for budgeting and providing recommendations to prevent or minimize the future abandonment of commercial vessels. The plan does not provide a plan for funding the effort. The bill initially had a funding component, but it was removed before the final vote.

“I am grateful the State Lands Commission is fulfilling the requirement of AB 2441 on schedule,” Frazier said. “These abandoned, derelict commercial vessels pose a serious threat to the Delta’s ecosystem and navigation of its waterways. I urge interested parties to read and comment on the draft plan. I look forward to the final plan so that we can move forward with clearing the Delta of these hazards.”