Grant money available to remove derelict boats from Florida waterways.
Press release – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is announcing the
opportunity for State, County, Municipal and other authorized governmental entities to apply for Derelict Vessel Removal Grants. The Sixth application period for the Bulk Derelict Vessel Removal Grant Program will begin on Monday October 21, 2019, at 8:00 AM (EST), and end on Wednesday December 4, 2019, at 5:00 PM (EST). Applications received after Wednesday December 4, 2019, will not be eligible for consideration in round six.
All removal applications must demonstrate proof that due process was provided for each vessels owner. At a minimum, this would include an opportunity for the vessel owner to challenge the derelict vessel determination, either in criminal court or in an administrative hearing. Vessel cases not demonstrating that these opportunities have been offered to the owners of the vessels will not be considered for state funding assistance.
A letter of Authorization for Removal from the law enforcement officer must also be included for each vessel applied for. Should funding be available for a seventh or subsequent round of applications, new announcements will be made.
The grant guidelines and application form may be downloaded at: http://www.MyFWC.com/DVGrant
Applications may be mailed to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Boating and Waterways Section, Derelict Vessel Grant Program Administrator, at 620 S. Meridian Street Room 235, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600 or emailed to DVGrant@MyFWC.com.
For more information, please contact Phil Horning, Derelict Vessel Program Administrator, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Division of Law Enforcement, Boating and Waterways Section, (850) 617-9540 or email Phil.Horning@MyFWC.com
