Oregon secures new funding to remove abandoned boats from waterways

Think Out Loud

From small fishing boats littered across state ports to a massive 384-foot ship rusting in the Columbia River, Oregon’s waterways continue to be dotted with abandoned and derelict vessels. Now, a first-of-its-kind partnership between the BoatUS Foundation and NOAA is bringing fresh funding to tackle the problem. The effort aims to remove more than 300 abandoned and derelict vessels from local waters across six states — with Oregon set to clear dozens of its highest-risk boats over the next two years.

Josh Mulhollem, who manages the state’s Waterways Stewardship Program, joins us to discuss how the funding will be utilized and how this effort could make a difference for Oregon’s coastal and river communities.