Victoria, BC - The Capital Regional District (CRD) is asking residents to help them keep the region’s waterways safe and clean by reporting abandoned boats this summer.
“Abandoned and neglected vessels have a major impact on the health and safety of the capital region’s waterways, including shoreline erosion and ecosystem degradation,” said CRD Board Chair Colin Plant. “If you see a derelict boat when you head out on the water this long weekend, please say something so we can potentially remove and dispose of it safely. Your help to identify and ultimately reduce the volume of abandoned boats in the future through responsible boat ownership education is vital to protecting our waterways.”
To report a boat in the capital region that looks abandoned or wrecked, that is onshore, afloat or sunk, take a photo of the boat, and send it, along with a description of the location (or GPS coordinates) to infoline@crd.bc.ca.
The CRD works in partnership with the non-profit Dead Boat Disposal Society to assess and remove abandoned boats, with funding provided in part through the federal government’s Abandoned Boat Program (ABP), and has allocated up to $450,000 for assessment and disposal of abandoned vessels and marine-related debris. The CRD received a separate federal grant of $50,000 to promote education and awareness of the issue. Staff work closely with municipalities, regional districts, Islands Trust and local First Nations to coordinate efforts that address abandoned boats under the federal ABP initiative.
Since the start of the program, 33 boats have been safely removed and disposed of in the region and 40 more are currently being assessed and in the queue for federal removal funding. For more information about the program, or to learn how to dispose of a boat, visit: www.crd.bc.ca/boat.
Proud to be recognized as one of BC’s Top Employers and Canada’s Greenest Employers, the CRD delivers regional, sub-regional and local services to 13 municipalities and three electoral areas on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Governed by a 24-member Board of Directors, the CRD works collaboratively with First Nations and all levels of government to enable sustainable growth, foster community well-being, and develop cost-effective infrastructure while continuing to provide core services to residents throughout the region. Visit us online at www.crd.bc.ca.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Andy Orr, Senior Manager
CRD Corporate Communications
Tel: 250.360.3229
Cell: 250.216.5492