Florida Division of Emergency Management provides online form and phone number
State officials are requesting the help of the public in their efforts to remove storm debris from waterways, Sarasota County Government staff reported this week.
“If you see waterway debris, please report it through Florida Division of Emergency Management’s online form or by calling 850-366-6007 for debris or 888-404-3922 for derelict vessels,” a county notice said.
Visit the Division of Emergency Management website for frequently asked questions (FAQ documents) and other helpful resources, the notice added.
“Your help makes a difference in keeping our waterways safe and thriving,” it continued. “By working with state and local agencies, we can help ensure the safety and navigability of Florida’s waterways, protect public and private properties, and promote healthy aquatic ecosystems.”
The Waterway Debris Removal program is a product of collaboration among the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), a webpage shows.
As of Nov. 7, the initiative’s homepage reported, 983 truckloads of debris had been removed from the state’s waterways. “Each truckload represents approximately 100 cubic yards of debris,” the webpage said. “This standard volume helps us quantify and track the progress of waterway-clearing efforts,” the webpage pointed out.
The number of vessels removed from the waterways as of Nov. 7 — including abandoned and derelict boats — was 15, the webpage said.
A derelict vessel, the webpage explains, “is any vessel classified as wrecked, junked, or in substantially dismantled condition upon any waters of this state.” The webpage also notes, “The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) works closely with the Division of Emergency Management, the Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), the Coast Guard (USCG), and local governments to identify and remove vessels.”
For more information, visit floridadebriscleanup.com.