The Washington Department of Natural Resources will soon get to work creating healthier, safer waterfronts after Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law Senate Bill 5433 Monday afternoon.

 

Requested by Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz and sponsored by Sen. Ron Muzzall and Rep. Kristine Reeves, the legislation unanimously passed through the legislature and gives DNR the authority to remove derelict aquatic structures like unused piers, pilings and decrepit marinas from Washington’s waterways.

 

“This is a great day for Washington’s waterfronts, and I can’t wait to get started tackling the problem of derelict aquatic structures that plague so many of our communities,” Commissioner Franz said. “We’ve done great work restoring habitat and removing derelict vessels from Washington’s vital nearshores. This will let us get to work doing more of that work we do so well.”

 

The new derelict aquatic structures program allows DNR to work around the state, starting with what Commissioner Franz dubbed the “Filthy Four” industrial areas that most threaten habitat and public safety:

The legislature also allotted more $48 million in this session’s budget to fund this work. In addition to creating the program, this new law also allows local governments and nonprofits to use DNR’s expertise to get hazardous structures out of the state’s waterways.

 

As stewards of more than 2.6 million acres of state-owned aquatic lands, we are responsible for ensuring protection of habitat and fostering public access and water-dependent activities for future generations. DNR generates revenue by selling the rights to harvest renewable resources like wild geoducks and other shellfish and from leasing and licensing state-owned aquatic lands. That revenue is reinvested to manage and restore Washington's aquatic ecosystems; keep them free of derelict maritime equipment; protect their health and productivity, and fund local projects that ensure the public can enjoy our aquatic lands.

 

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Communications Manager

360-902-1000