Late Item: Advocacy on Partnership on Abandoned Vessels --Councillor Isitt and Mayor Helps A Council member motion providing recommendations on a resolution and partnership with local governments on southern Vancouver island on the removal of abandoned vessels and restoration of the marine environment. Recommendation: That Council endorse the following resolution and requests that the Mayor, on behalf of Council, write to the following entities, forwarding copies of the resolution and requesting favourable consideration and resolutions of support: the Capital Regional District Board, the Cowichan Valley Regional District Board, the Regional District of Nanaimo Board, the Islands Trust Council, Members of Parliament and Members of the Legislative Assembly representing constituencies on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, and local governments and First Nations governments on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands: Resolution: Partnership on Abandoned Vessels WHEREAS abandoned vessels have become a persistent problem in coastal communities on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, with a lack of clarity over responsibilities of vessel owners and various levels of government impeding a coordinated response to removal of abandoned vessels and protection of the marine environment; AND WHEREAS the Government of Canada has announced the establishment of the Abandoned Boats Program and Coastal Restoration Fund, inviting applications for funding from joint partners; AND WHEREAS several local governments on southern Vancouver Island have expressed interest in these opportunities, alongside interest from industry partners offering to assist with removal of abandoned vessels and restoration of the marine environment; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of Victoria: (1) endorses a coordinated response to the problem of abandoned vessels on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands; (2) expresses support for applications to the Abandoned Boats Program and Coastal Restoration Fund for a partnership on abandoned vessels; and (3) calls on the Capital Regional District, Cowichan Valley Regional District, Regional District of Nanaimo, Government of British Columbia, and Government of Canada to co-operate with local governments and First Nations governments on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands on an coordinated response to remove abandoned vessels and restore the marine environment. 1_Report_Advocacy on Partnership on Abandoned Vessels 2_Attachment 1_Abandoned Boats Program Applicants Guide 3_Attachment 2_Coastal Restoration Fund Guidelines 4_Attachment 3_Letter from Dead Boat Society |