SB2535_H_Amend

SECTION 1. Section 49-27-71, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

49-27-71. (1) (a) The department may remove from the coastal wetlands, as defined in Section 49-27-5(a), Mississippi Code of 1972, or from any private or man-made canal with a navigable connection to coastal wetlands, any vessel which is derelict, or has been determined by the department to be a public safety or environmental hazard, having been relinquished, deserted or left by the owner with the intention of abandoning the vessel. Any vessel submerged in or on the coastal wetlands or submerged in any private or man-made canal, with a navigable connection to coastal wetlands, in excess of thirty (30) days is declared abandoned and a derelict vessel. For the purposes of this section, no vessel submerged more than one hundred (100) years will be considered derelict. The Department of Archives and History shall be notified before the removal of any derelict vessel constructed before the year 1950.

(b) Any owner or operator of a derelict vessel shall be liable to the State of Mississippi for the restoration of all affected coastal wetlands and all costs associated with the removal of the vessel.

(2) (a) If the last known owner or operator of a derelict vessel is ascertainable, the owner or operator shall be notified by certified mail to remove the derelict vessel and restore the affected coastal wetlands within thirty (30) days of the date of the notice. Failure to remove the vessel may result in the imposition of the damages provided in subsection (3).

(b) When the owner or operator of the derelict vessel is unknown or cannot be located after diligent search and inquiry, notice shall be given by publishing in a newspaper having general circulation in the county where the derelict vessel is located the intent to remove and dispose of the derelict vessel. The notice shall be published once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks. The derelict vessel may be removed ten (10) days after the last date of publication.

(c) The municipality or county where the vessel is located may remove the derelict vessel or request the department to contract for the removal of the derelict vessel. The cost of the removal of the derelict vessel shall be paid by the municipality or the county where the vessel is located. If the county or municipality cannot pay the cost of removal, the department may pay the cost of removal, if funds are available. (d) Any derelict vessel salvaged may be destroyed or otherwise disposed of without additional notice to the owner or operator and the value thereof, if any, applied as an offset to the cost of the removal of the derelict vessel and restoration of the affected coastal wetlands.

(e) If an owner or operator is subsequently identified, the owner or operator shall be liable for double the cost of the removal of the derelict vessel and the restoration of the affected coastal wetlands, attorney's fees and all costs of court. Upon recovery of these damages, the county, municipality or department, as the case may be, shall be reimbursed the costs of the removal of the derelict vessel and restoration of the coastal wetlands.

(f) In addition to providing notice by publication or to the known owner or operator, notice shall be sent by mail to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History for a determination as to whether the vessel to be removed is of archaeological, historical or architectural significance under the state antiquities law. The Department of Archives and History shall respond within thirty (30) days to the notice and advise whether or not the vessel should be preserved.

(3) The chancery court of the county where the vessel is located shall have jurisdiction and by writ of mandatory injunction, order the removal of the * * * vessel by the owner or operator. The chancery court shall allow a reasonable time for completion of the restoration of the coastal wetlands and removal of the * * * vessel. The chancery court may, in its discretion, order as damages a sum not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) per day for each day such violation has existed. The chancery court may further order as damages a sum not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) per day for each day that the violation exists beyond the date set by the court in its injunction for the removal of the vessel and the restoration of the coastal wetlands. Additionally, the owner or operator shall be liable for reasonable attorney's fees and all costs of court.

(4) Any reimbursed cost of removal and any fines and damages collected in excess of the cost of the removal of the * * * vessel and the restoration of the affected coastal wetlands shall be deposited in a special fund in the State Treasury to be known as the "Derelict Vessel Fund." The fund shall be administered by the department. Any funds deposited in the fund shall be used to cover the administrative costs and removal costs incurred by the department for the removal of * * * vessels. Any remaining funds shall be used as a match for municipal and county funds to cover the costs of removing additional * * * vessels.

(5) Any sunken or submerged vessel in or on the coastal wetlands within any designated navigation channel or within one hundred (100) yards of the boundaries of any state, county or municipal port may be declared a hazard to navigation and subject to immediate removal and disposal by the department. Any sunken or submerged vessel in or on the coastal wetlands that is leaking any hazardous substances, chemicals or fuels may be declared an environmental hazard and subject to immediate removal and disposal by the department. The owners of a vessel removed in accordance with this subsection shall be liable for the costs associated with the salvage and disposal of the vessel and any damages to the flora and fauna within the coastal wetlands.

(6) The department is authorized to enter into contracts with individuals, firms and corporations for the removal of * * * vessels. The salvage value, if any, of the * * * vessel may be used to offset the cost of the removal of the vessel and the restoration of the coastal wetlands. The department may enter into noncompetitive contracts or agreements with any state or federal entity for the removal of vessels.

(7) The commission shall adopt rules and regulations necessary and appropriate to carry out * * * this section. The commission may also enter into interstate or intrastate efforts toward this end, and may seek and utilize aid from all federal, state and local sources in this endeavor.

(8) The State of Mississippi, the commission, the department and their employees and representatives shall not be liable for any damage resulting from the removal, sale or disposal of any vessel declared a derelict or hazardous vessel pursuant to this section.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.