The City Council of Redwood City has adopted a tough, new ordinance regarding abandoned boats and other hazards in its waterways. The “Redwood City Harbor Administration” ordinance also provides enforceable regulations for water craft speed limits, noise limitations, overnight mooring and anchoring, and pollution. The new ordinance is the result of more than a year of work by the Redwood City Police Department, City and Port staff, the Board of Port Commissioners, and members of the City’s Pride and Beautification Committee.

For many years, Redwood City’s waterways were a virtual dumping ground for abandoned vessels and debris, causing hazards to navigation, visual pollution, and water pollution. Over the last several years, however, a major clean up of the waterways has taken place through a partnership involving State grants, private organizations, and the City of Redwood City. A great number of floating derelict vessels, as well as numerous submerged abandoned vessels, have been removed from the waterways. All told, over 100 vessels and more than 1,000 tons of debris have been removed from the City’s 17 miles of waterways. This remarkable clean up has resulted in less-congested waterways, a noted improvement in water quality, and an enhanced recreational boating environment.

“This ordinance gives our Police Department the tools they need to enforce the law and make certain this precious resource is not abused,” said Diane Howard, Redwood City Council member and Chair of the City’s Pride & Beautification Committee. “Beyond removing derelict boats that are navigational hazards and eyesores, we’re now better able to enforce regulations regarding noise and speed limits, dumping of garbage or pollutants, and destruction of signs and buoys. It’s a ‘win-win’ for the residents of Redwood City, and for the boating community as well.”

The new ordinance is tailored to the local needs of Redwood City’s waterways and applies new penalties and enforcement provisions that, in addition to the State Boating and Waterways regulations, give the Redwood City Police Department the ability to fully protect both this resource and the public that enjoys the waterways.

Guy Smith, Vice Chairman of the Board of Port Commissioners, said “We’re pleased that the City has moved forward with this essential tool for managing Redwood City’s waterways. The Port Commission will now consider adding a matching ordinance to its own books, to ensure consistency and uniformity between the City and the Port.”

A sub-committee of the City’s Pride and Beautification Committee, dubbed the Aqua Terra Project, has headed up the program to clean up Redwood City’s waterways. State grants totaling $900,000 were utilized for site clean up and removal of derelicts and abandoned vessels.