Franklin County seeks funds to remove derelict vessels

Franklin County is hoping it can get some state money this year to help remove derelict vessels from around the county.

The County plans to apply for newly authorized Derelict Vessel funds from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

There isn’t much money available; Alan Pierce said there is about 1.4 million dollars that can be used around the state.

He estimated Franklin County would likely get about 100 thousand dollars of that.

The money would pay for about 75% of the removal costs, Franklin County would have to make up the rest, but commissioners feel there are plenty of boats in the river and bay that the issue has to be addressed.

The Fish and Wildlife Commission will provide a list on all the boats on its derelict vessel list that are eligible for removal.

The board said it will also look at applying for additional money from an environmental clean-up fund to hopefully remove more boats.

The county will be able to apply for the state money beginning at the end of the month, and the vessel removal would likely be done in the fall.

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