Commissioners direct staff to pursue ordinance and funding options for abandoned vessels

Kootenai County commissioners on April 8 directed the county Parks and Waterways director to work with county counsel to develop a legal tool — likely an ordinance or resolution — and to consider funding options to address abandoned vessels in county waters.

The action followed a presentation by Parks and Waterways staff and advisory‑board members about a sailboat that has been moored and effectively abandoned in Butnock Bay at Farragut State Park for about three years. Staff described the vessel as a large sailboat (discussants estimated roughly 30 feet with a mast of roughly 35 feet) that is costly to remove because salvage requires removal of the lead keel and rigging. County staff estimated removal would cost more than $10,000 for the boat in this case.

Advisory‑board members and county staff told commissioners that existing informal practices — contacting owners, towing when salvage value exists, or private contractors removing vessels and placing liens — are no longer sufficient for larger, more expensive vessels. Staff said the state owns littoral rights at that location (Farragut State Park) even though the water is within county waters, and both state and county officials have expressed uncertainty about who is responsible to fund removal. The state told county staff it lacked funds to remove the vessel, and the county currently has no clear ordinance that gives the sheriff or parks staff authority and a funding mechanism to remove large abandoned boats.

County staff recommended directing the Parks and Waterways director to work with counsel to draft a resolution or ordinance that would provide a statutory or administrative process for the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office and Parks and Waterways to identify, notice and remove abandoned vessels and to establish how removal costs could be recovered (for example by lien, registration fees, or a dedicated fund). Commissioners discussed definitional issues — particularly what constitutes an “abandoned” boat in areas where owners still pay slip fees — and emphasized the need for clear noticing requirements before any property is taken or removed.

Commissioners agreed the county should pursue an ordinance and funding mechanism, and they directed Director Nick Snyder to work with legal counsel to prepare language for future consideration. Staff said they will return with recommended language and potential funding options for the board to consider.

The board did not adopt a final ordinance at the April 8 meeting; the direction was to prepare proposed language and options for a future meeting.