It’s been almost five years since Steve Barton, Port Authority, put in the initial request for permits that would allow Hernando County to place an artificial reef system in their shallow waters. The request came after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill devastated coastal communities lining the Gulf of Mexico and is an attempt to undo the damage that was caused.
In line with the Port Authority’s vision to increase the value of the Gulf of Mexico, the artificial reefs would provide a nursery for young, developing reefs and fish and myriad other organisms. Since the spill destroyed their habitats, these reefs- concrete dome structures with large tunnels bored into them- will help replenish the devastated ecosystem.
The first obstacle the Port Authority faced before accomplishing this was permits. Requests for permits are easy enough; however, actually acquiring them is a little tougher as there are various agencies the Authority has to go through- each with their own distinct requirements needed. With the requirements at hand, the Port Authority now had to worry about where in their lands they would place this reef.
Originally, the Port Authority had requested about one hundred square miles just off the shoreline- shallow enough for avid scuba divers to explore without hindering access for smaller boats- but the University of Florida’s Sea Grant program later proposed to the Authority for them to go from the border of Pasco County to Citrus and would end up totaling five hundred square miles for the fledgling reefs. After acquiring the permits, they now need the assistance of the Army Corps, but in order for them to be able to do anything, they must obtain funding from the county.
Even though the permit had been approved about a year and a half ago, it was determined that there was no money for this project.
Steve Barton made his argument for the continuation of this artificial reef project stating that they have the permits, and they know where it will go, it’s now just a matter of funds. It would not only contribute to the ecological repair of Hernando County’s coast, but it could prove to be a major player in its economy. Board Member Nicholson also brought up the fact that Pinellas and Hillsborough County were able to pull off a similar project, and that after a hefty initial investment of around $220 million dollars across the counties, it was reported that they had made back half of their investments after just one year- and they will continue to make that in the years to come.
Nicholson suggested that funds from the Environmentally Sensitive Lands (ESL) account be withdrawn and used to finish this project with the intent of replenishing that money once the money from the Restore Act came through. Although the artificial reef project is in line with ESL objectives, the Clerk of Court, Don Barbee, pointed out that replenishing the local dollars with Federal Restore Act funding would be supplanting- which violates the board’s current policy.
Board Member Nicholson made the motion to change the ESL’s current policy, enacted in 1990, and, passing unanimously, allowed the Port Authority access to the $95,0000 budget it needed to build the artificial reefs.