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/a%' INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA MEMORANDUM TO: Jason E. Brown, County Administrator THROUGH: Richard B. Szpyrka, P.E., Public Works Director THROUGH: Eric Charest, Natural Resources Manager FROM: Melissa Meisenburg, Lagoon Plan Environmental Specialist SUBJECT: Completion of April/May 2022 Derelict Vessel Removal DATE: May 25, 2022 This is an update to inform the Board of County Commissioners (BCC), Indian River County's (IRC) residents and visitors of the completion of the April/May 2022 derelict vessel removal project in the Indian River Lagoon. DESCRIPTION AND CONDITIONS Derelict vessels are defined by the state in section 823.11, F. S. as vessels that are left, stored or abandoned in a wrecked, junked or substantially dismantled condition upon the waters of the state, at a port without the consent of the agency or upon private property without the consent of the owner. Vessels under the derelict designation are sinking, degraded and inoperable, creating navigational hazards and pose threats to the environment. Officers from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission investigate abandoned vessels to determine derelict status in accordance with Florida Statutes, 705.101(3) and 823.11. The derelict vessel designation from FWC allows the County to remove and dispose of abandoned vessels, improving boater safety, removing hazards to navigation and to the environment. Indian River County Coastal Division staff routinely monitor the Statewide FWC Derelict Vessel database for information on vessels within the County undergoing derelict status investigations. In February 2022, updates to FWC's database indicated six (6) vessels within the County had attained derelict status and were available for removal and disposal. Outlaw Maritime, LLC (Outlaw Maritime) provided a cost proposal to the County of $34,300.00 to remove all six (6) derelict vessels in accordance with FWC Best Management Practices. County Coastal Division staff applied for a Derelict Vessel removal grant from FWC in February and were awarded with a $34,300.00 Bulk Derelict Vessel Removal Grant (Agreement 21255) to cover the costs associated with the removal and disposal of the six (6) derelict vessels from the Indian River Lagoon. The grant agreement was approved by the Board of County Commissioners on March 15, 2022. Prior to the removal start date, County staff received an authorization letter from FWC for the removal of an additional derelict vessel. The Bulk Derelict Vessel Removal Grant did not cover the costs associated with the removal of the 7th vessel. Outlaw Maritime provided a separate proposal to remove the 30' sailboat at a cost245