The province is making an exception for Oak Bay and preparing to give the district $12,000 to remove derelict boats from Cadboro Bay.
Derelict boats typically fall under federal jurisdiction; however, the province on occasion collaborates with other agencies.
A statement from the B.C. Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development said the funding is being provided “due to Oak Bay’s unique situation — that Oak Bay and the other partners are keen to see the current derelict vessels removed prior to winter where seasonal storms could further deteriorate the vessel structures and make removal even more costly to manage.”
The province previously struck a cost-sharing agreement with the District of Saanich to remove derelict boats on that side of the bay.
Upon hearing the news, Eric Dahli, chairman of the Cadboro Bay Residents Association, gave an excited “Right on!”
Dahli has pushed for the boat cleanup for about a year and a half.
Several boats were removed from the area this year, but about half a dozen sailboats and one burned-out houseboat hull remain in the bay, he said.
They are all in the 20- to 30-foot range.
“We don’t care where the funding comes from, we just want the beach clean,” Dahli said.
B.C. Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver, who represents Oak Bay-Gordon Head, has advocated for the province to support the removal of the boats.
“Derelict boats are dangerous and detrimental to the local environment,” he said in a statement.
“I have long been pushing for action on this issue, and I’m pleased to have received reassurances from the province that this will finally be addressed.”
Oak Bay Coun. Kevin Murdoch said the municipality has been ready and willing to work with the province on the issue, but was aware the ministry has been focused on other priorities, such as wildfire damage.
Mayor Nils Jensen said derelict boats have long been a problem for the district.
He said he would like to see the provincial and federal governments consider the life-cycle costs of boating and potentially build the cost of recycling or disposing of a boat into its cost.
Transport Canada is responsible for addressing and removing derelict boats, because it has jurisdiction over navigable waters.
The federal government has committed $6.85 million in grant and contribution funding to assist with the assessment, removal and disposal of abandoned boats that pose a hazard in Canadian waters. It is part of the $1.5-billion Oceans Protection Plan announced last November.
The Capital Regional District is preparing the final draft of a letter applying for $1.05 million of those funds.
The request includes $1 million for assessment and removal and $50,000 for education and awareness.
A 2014 report for Transport Canada indicated there were as many as 245 vessels of concern in B.C. waterways. About 22 per cent were in the capital region.
A CRD staff report suggests abandoned vessels have significant environmental impacts, including discharge of sewage effluent, garbage, fuels and bilge water, and damage to shoreline and seabed ecosystems.
