State Senate gives nod to derelict vessel bill

PORT TOWNSEND — A legislative bill prompted by the 1999 saga of the derelict abandoned vessel Palisades cruised through the Washington state Senate on Tuesday.

The derelict vessel clean-up bill could land on Gov. Gary Locke’s desk as early as today. The measure allows local governments to seek state toxic waste clean-up funds to dispose of abandoned vessels.

The measure garnered a 47-0 vote in the Senate and 92-1 approval in the House on March 9.

The bill doesn’t specifically state that the funds can be used to dispose of abandoned vessels, though it states the money could be used for disposal of hazardous substances from derelict vessels.

The Port of Port Townsend commission and staff first shed light on the problem of abandoned vessels following the debacle of the Palisades fish processor in September 1999. No state agency was responsible for getting rid of the abandoned boat; even the U.S. Coast Guard was only required to deal with it if it posed a hazard to navigation or the environment.

For the complete story see Thursday’s Peninsula Daily News, on sale in Clallam and Jefferson counties.

More in News

KEITH THORPE/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
June Ward, 10, examines a wooden paddle she is decorating as her father, Jack Ward of Port Angeles, works on his own paddle during a craft-making session on Friday at the Elwha Klallam Heritage Center in Port Angeles. The paddles are among the thousands of gifts being created for participants in the 2025 Tribal Canoe Journey, hosted this year by the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. The event begins with the landing of dozens of native canoes at the mouth of the Elwha River on July 31 and continues with five days of celebration on the Lower Elwha reservation west of Port Angeles. As many as 10,000 indigenous peoples are expected to take part. The public is invited to help with giftmaking sessions, scheduled daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Heritage Center.
Canoe paddle crafts

June Ward, 10, examines a wooden paddle she is decorating as her… Continue reading

Ralph Henry Keil and Ginny Grimm.
Long lost sailor to be honored at graduation

An honorary diploma will be presented to the family of… Continue reading

Singers to workshop vocal instruments at Fort Worden

One hundred and fifty singers to join together in song

Jefferson County fire danger risk level to move to high

Designation will prohibit fireworks over Fourth of July weekend

Candidate forums to be presented next week

The League of Women Voters of Clallam County and… Continue reading

Port Townsend City Council candidate forum set for next month

The League of Women Voters of Jefferson County will… Continue reading

Jefferson County to host series of community conversations

Jefferson County will conduct a series of Community Conversations… Continue reading

Denise Thornton of Sequim deadheads roses on a flower display at the Sequim Botanical Garden at the Water Reuse Demonstration Park at Carrie Blake Park on Wednesday in Sequim. Thornton, a volunteer gardener, was taking part in a work party to maintain the beauty of the garden. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Rose display

Denise Thornton of Sequim deadheads roses on a flower display at the… Continue reading

Electric rates see big increase

Jefferson proposal approved for 4-year hike

Clallam Transit to receive $4M in grants

Agency to use funds on Strait Shot and other routes

Port Angeles council OKs sidewalk near park

Applicants to receive grant funding for one-third of total cost