ST JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – On June 2, the City of St Augustine and Flagship Towing are removing nine derelict vessels from local waterways, including Salt Run and the Matanzas River.
The two-week project is funded by the Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) and the St. Augustine Port, Waterway and Beach District.
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The effort supports navigational safety, environmental protection, and the overall health of the region’s marine ecosystem.
Once they are removed, the vessels will be relocated, properly destroyed, and then disposed of.
FIND consists of the twelve counties along the east coast of Florida from Nassau through Miami-Dade County with a board that has a governor-appointed commissioner from each county.
Commissioner Carl Blow has served as a commissioner since 2009. He represents St Johns County and even did a term as the board’s chair.
FIND levies a real property tax on all property within the district’s boundaries to generate the funds necessary to fulfill its responsibility.
Their efforts help to advance safe navigation, environmental protection, and public access to the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway.
The Port District is governed by five at-large corporation selected to four-year terms.
It was established in the late 1930s by the Florida Legislature and approved by a referendum vote of those residing within its boundaries.
The Port district is an ad valorem taxing authority with a wide range of authority for building warehouses, wharfs, bridges, and other structures for the commercial development of the port.
The Port’s District supports commercial and maritime activity for the benefit of St Augustine.
For more information on these grants, contact the city’s General Services Department at (904) 825-1010.