Marine Debris

Division 3, Chapter 3, Article 3 deals with marine debris. Section 550 defines the terms “vessel” and “marine debris.”

Section 551 provides that marine debris that is floating, sunk, partially sunk, or beached in or on a public waterway, public beach, or on state tidelands or submerged lands may be removed and destroyed, or otherwise disposed of, by any state, county, city, or other public agency having jurisdiction over its location or having authority to remove marine debris or solid waste, subject to four specified conditions.

In addition, the notice attached to the marine debris is required to state specified information. Marine debris that constitutes a public nuisance or a danger to navigation, health, safety, or the environment may be removed and disposed of immediately, unless the marine debris is whole or not demolished during removal, in which case it is required to be maintained or stored for 10 days to permit notification of the owner. If the owner of the marine debris is not identifiable, the marine debris may be immediately destroyed or otherwise disposed of.

Section 552 required the State Lands Commission to adopt, at a public meeting and after consultation with interested state and local agencies, best management practices for salvage of marine debris. They must be published by the State Lands Commission on its Internet Web site.