Proposed Funding Cuts to State's Derelict Vessel Removal Program

Governor's budget plan would redirect $5 million from program that helps clean up abandoned boats in Washington waters

Feb. 27, 2026 at 12:39pm

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The Washington State Department of Natural Resources' Derelict Vessel Removal Program, which identifies and removes abandoned and neglected boats that pose environmental or navigational risks, could soon face $5 million in funding cuts under the governor's proposed budget. Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove warns that the program's ability to address the growing problem of derelict vessels in Puget Sound and other waterways would be severely impacted without the full funding.

Why it matters

Derelict vessels often sit broken and neglected, slowly sinking and leaking contaminants that can harm the environment, including fish and marine life like Puget Sound orcas. The Derelict Vessel Removal Program has been effective at addressing this issue, removing a record number of vessels over the past two years, but the proposed funding cuts could jeopardize its ability to continue this important work.

The details

The current budget for the Derelict Vessel Removal Program is $17 million over a two-year period, with $8 million coming from the state's watercraft excise tax. Under the governor's proposed budget, $5 million of that excise tax revenue would be redirected to the state's general fund, significantly reducing the program's resources. Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove says the program has a growing list of over 375 new derelict vessels awaiting removal, and the funding cuts would make it harder to address this growing problem.

  • The governor's proposed budget was released in February 2026.
  • Over the past two years, the Derelict Vessel Removal Program has removed a record high number of 411 derelict vessels.

The players

Dave Upthegrove

Public Lands Commissioner who oversees the Derelict Vessel Removal Program and warns of the impacts of the proposed funding cuts.

Washington State Department of Natural Resources

The state agency that operates the Derelict Vessel Removal Program.

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What they’re saying

“We do see these derelict vessels in every corner of the waterways and they keep sprouting up. We haul some of them out and recycle them, and new ones take their place.”

— Dave Upthegrove, Public Lands Commissioner

“This program really helps protect the water quality in Puget Sound for our King Salmon and our Puget Sound orca.”

— Dave Upthegrove, Public Lands Commissioner

“I know this is a tough budget year, but you don't want to balance the budget on the back of the health of Puget Sound just by polluting more and allowing these to continue to damage our fish, our orca, and the next generation.”

— Dave Upthegrove, Public Lands Commissioner

What’s next

The state legislature will need to decide whether to approve the governor's proposed budget cuts to the Derelict Vessel Removal Program or maintain the current funding levels.

The takeaway

The proposed funding cuts to the Derelict Vessel Removal Program highlight the ongoing challenge of addressing the environmental and navigational risks posed by abandoned boats in Washington's waterways. Maintaining adequate resources for this program is crucial to protecting the health of Puget Sound and its marine life.