Yolo County is currently experiencing an increase in the number of abandoned, submerged, and live-aboard derelict vessels in its waterways and along its shorelines. When left alone, the vessels possess the potential to contaminate the water through the leaking of organic waste and fuel. It is significantly more expensive to correct and clean up the hazards once they exist than it would be to prevent the issues from occurring in the first place.
In October 2016 the Board approved an ordinance that required vessels to vacate County waterways within 24 hours, for a period of 24 continuous hours, if the vessel was tagged by Sheriff personnel with a Notice to Remove. The 2016 staff report and minute order are provided as Attachment A to this staff report. The proposed amendments (see Attachments B - track changes version of amendments, and C - clean version of proposed amendments) increase the period of vacation from 24 continuous hours to 48 continuous hours. This extension will aid the Sheriff's department in its enforcement efforts as staffing levels frequently preclude staff the ability to make daily inspections of tagged vessels. In addition, the proposed amendments expand the definitions and removal requirements to include vessels that are abandoned on public roads and public property.
A related issue that the proposed amendments address is that vessels are being abandoned along our roadways. The amendment prohibits abandoning vessels on County highways and public property and allows the Sheriff's Office to take the same abandonment action and disposition for abandoned vessels on land as on the water.
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