Kulik also serves as chairwoman of the state House of Representatives Game and Fisheries Committee – where a hearing in April included seeing an abandoned boat floating up a river outside the hearing room.

“As chair of the House Game and Fisheries Committee, abandoned boats have become a very big issue in our discussions,” Kulik said in a video posted on her Facebook page earlier this year. “Strangely enough as we were having our hearing an abandoned boat rolled past us up the Ohio River. Abandoned boats are an environmental and a safety concern on our waterways. Today we discussed many issues, particularly how to address abandoned boats, what to do with owners who abandon their boats and all the safety concerns that accompany this.We hope to bring legislation forward that will address this problem but most of all we want the public to be aware that this is a growing issue in western Pennsylvania. And that we want our boat owners to be responsible. THrough education we are going to bring this issue to light and hopefully address this with our boat owners.”

That legislation has now been introduced. The Allegany County Democrat recently introduced House Bill 2531 that will give local municipalities and law enforcement greater ability to deal with abandoned boats. Kulik’s proposal defines at-risk boats and derelict boats and gives local governments more authority to deal with abandoned boats.

An at-risk boat is defined as a boat that is taking on water without a way to get rid of the water, if spaces that should be closed off can’t be sealed off or remain open for extended periods of time, a boat that has broken loose or is in danger of breaking loose from its anchor or does not have an engine. Derelict boats are defined as a boat that is found on either waterways or public property and meets one of several circumstances, including being sunk or partially sunk; aground without the ability to move without mechanical help; remains on state waters after a boating accident, fire or weather event; or is in a neglected or deteriorating condition such that the boat’s hull, steering or propulsion systems are compromised due to missing, incomplete, damaged, broken or inoperable components.

Rep. Anita Kulik is pictured during a House Game and Fisheries Committee hearing earlier this year.

Abandoned boats are those presumed abandoned because the boat can’t operate or is left unattended on state waters or public property, can’t be operated and is left unattended; remains illegally on state waters or public property, is left unattended and has no valid registration; or has been on a salvor’s private property for 20 days.

Boat owners who don’t take care of their boats can be cited and, in worst cases, be charged with a third-degree misdemeanor that can result in a fine of up to $5,000.

Kulik said abandoned or derelict boats can block navigable channels and pollute public waterways. Removing boats can be expensive for local governments, she said, while first responders can be put in dangerous situations when an abandoned boat is washed downstream, and an investigation must be conducted to determine if any individuals were on board and in need of rescue. Fuel, and other hazardous materials from abandoned boats can leak into waterways, and the debris and pollution generated from deteriorating materials such as plastics, fiberglass, and other synthetics may continue to further break down and persist in waterways for decades, she wrote.

“Our waterways are a public resource, meant to be enjoyed and accessible for all,” Kulik wrote in her co-sponsorship memorandum. “However, abandoned and derelict vessels threaten the environment and public safety, may pollute aquatic resources and public drinking water supplies and reduce the accessibility of Pennsylvania’s waterways for recreational purposes.”