Abandoned boats targeted in upcoming river cleanup

<p>A Petaluma eyesore may soon be cleaned up, as team of state and local agencies toured the Petaluma River on Wednesday taking stock of abandoned boats that they plan to remove in coming months.</p><p>Abandoned vessels have long been a problem on the river and are known to leak oil and otherwise cause environmental and safety problems. A joint project of the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, the state Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), and the Environmental Protection Agency will put together a plan of action over the next few months and begin removing the boats possibly in March or April. The Petaluma Police Department will also help identify abandoned boats and, if possible, find their owners.</p><p>“Since last summer we've been working closely with the state in removing derelict boats,” said Sergeant Ed Hoener of the Sheriff's Office's Marine Unit. The teamwill use state grant funds for the work, although the amount and exact source are not yet know. The Marine Unit also removed six abandoned boats in Bodega in December under the same arrangement, said Hoener.</p><p>The preliminary trip onto the river on Jan. 26 helped identify boats and docks that will be removed. One large fiberglass barge in particular will be a target, said Hoener.</p><p>“This is not a regular thing, it's a once-in-a-great-while opportunity,” he said. “We want to make the most of it.”</p><p>Residents in Petaluma have long complained of the eyesore and pollution caused by abandoned boats. In September, refuge work on a boat on an inlet near Hopper St. caused a two-mile slick along the river. Charges may still be filed against a salvage company in the case.</p><p>Hoener encouraged residents to call the Sheriff's Office at 707-433-0728 to report any abandoned boats, rotting docks, or any other refuse along the river.</p><p>(Contact Philip Riley at philip.riley@arguscourier.com)</p>