Released by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission …
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is announcing the opportunity for State, County, Municipal and other authorized governmental entities, to apply for Derelict Vessel Removal Grants. The Third application period for the Bulk Derelict Vessel Removal Grant Program will begin on Monday May 6, 2019, at 8:00 AM (EST), and end on Wednesday June 19, 2019, at 5:00 PM (EST).
Applications received after Wednesday June 19, 2019, will not be eligible for consideration in round three. All removal applications must demonstrate proof that due process was provided for each vessel’s owner. At a minimum, this would include an opportunity for the vessel owner to challenge the derelict vessel determination, either in criminal court or in an administrative hearing. Vessel cases not demonstrating that these opportunities have been offered to the owners of the vessels will not be considered for state funding assistance.
A letter of Authorization for Removal from the law enforcement officer must also be included for each vessel applied for. Should funding be available for a fourth or subsequent round of applications, new announcements will be made.
The grant guidelines and application form may be downloaded at: http://www.MyFWC.com/DVGrant.
You may also receive the guidelines and application by contacting Phil Horning at (850) 617-9540 or email DVGrant@MyFWC.com.
Applications that meet the requirements for the Rapid Removal Grant Program may be submitted at any time after the opportunity announcement start date, but no later than November 1, 2019, at 5:00 pm (EST) (based on available funding). Rapid removal cases must meet requirements of published guidelines as well as due process requirements.
Total funding allocated for derelict vessel removal for fiscal year 2018-2019 is $1,000,000. The balance remaining will be available for additional DV removal grant opportunities in the 2018-2019 budget year. Applications may be mailed to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Boating and Waterways Section, Derelict Vessel Grant Program Administrator, at 620 S. Meridian Street – Room 235, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600 or emailed to DVGrant@MyFWC.com.
For further information, please contact:
Phil Horning, Derelict Vessel Program Administrator, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Division of Law Enforcement, Boating and Waterways Section, (850) 617-9540 or email Phil.Horning@MyFWC.com