JohnsIslandBoy
01-20-2003, 10:33 AM
DNR SEEKS PUBLIC FEEDBACK ON PROPOSED CHARLESTON HARBOR INSHORE ARTIFICIAL REEF
The S.C. Department of Natural Resources' Artificial Reef Program is expanding its efforts by planning to construct inshore artificial reefs. But before doing so, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources wants public feedback. The first inshore artificial reef is proposed for Charleston Harbor along the marsh front between Fort Johnson and Fort Sumter. Specifically, the reef will be closer to Fort Johnson, and just beyond Grice Cove when going from Fort Johnson toward Fort Sumter (32 45.083' N-079 53.374' W).
"Because Charleston Harbor is such a heavily used area, we want feedback before the site is constructed to make sure the public is aware and supportive of the project," said Bob Martore, who coordinates the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Artificial Reef Program. "Public opinion so far has been very positive, especially from the various fishing clubs along the coast that want us to build an inshore reef in their area."
The DNR already maintains a very successful offshore reef program of 42 sites that provide habitat for marine fish. Using funds from the fee increase in the Saltwater Recreational Fishing License, the DNR is expanding the reef program to inshore and intertidal waters in order to provide inshore fishermen with better fishing opportunities along the coast. Martore hopes to get feedback on the proposed inshore site within the next couple of weeks. Comments on the proposed inshore artificial reef site can be directed to Bob Martore by phone at (843) 953-9303 or by e-mail at <a href="http://mailto:martoreb@mrd.dnr.state.sc.us" target="_blank">
"Our goal is to send out the application for the permit in about a month," Martore said. "Due to the permitting process, construction probably could not begin until this spring." The permit has to be approved by the Army Corps of Engineers and the S.C. Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management.
The Charleston Harbor inshore artificial reef will be 200 yards long, 60 yards wide. It will be made up of 156 two-foot high concrete habitat modules coated with oyster shells, in order to simulate natural development of an intertidal oyster reef. The reef units will be grouped into three separate clusters.
Some of the reef units will be visible at low tide but because of the design of the units and the organized pattern of the reef design, DNR staff does not consider the reef to be unsightly. "We are not proposing to use scrap materials on these inshore reefs, and will only use structures that have been specially designed for inshore use. Knowing these reefs will be partially visible at times, we have been especially careful in designing them," Martore said.
Offshore reefs are marked with buoys. Because of the shallow water depth at intertidal sites, it has been proposed that inshore reefs will be marked with pilings similar to channel markers. A piling with an attached sign will delineate each corner of a particular site.
"If these reefs prove successful, future plans call for additional inshore reefs to be placed at other sites along the South Carolina coast," Martore said.
"The program would not be possible without funding and support from the Saltwater Recreational Fishing License Program. These funds ultimately come from recreational fishermen who purchase a saltwater fishing license each year," said John Miglarese, DNR's Deputy Director for the Marine Resources Division. "There will be an increased focus over the next two years on the creation of inshore artificial reefs that are easily accessible by small boat anglers."
Lists of the current offshore artificial reef sites, structures and GPS coordinates, as well as information on using artificial reefs are made available to those who are interested in fishing or diving on the sites. For artificial reef locations or for more information on the DNR's Artificial Reef Program, visit SC DNR Reef Locations ('http://www.dnr.state.sc.us/marine/pub/seascience/reefloc.html').
The DNR Artificial Reef Program was honored in 2002 as a recipient of the Coastal America Partnership Award for an artificial reef project that was jointly conducted with the Charleston U.S. Air Force Base, the S.C. Army National Guard, local U.S. Navy personnel and Stevens Towing Co. (a local marine contractor).
- Written by Jennie R. Davis -
The S.C. Department of Natural Resources' Artificial Reef Program is expanding its efforts by planning to construct inshore artificial reefs. But before doing so, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources wants public feedback. The first inshore artificial reef is proposed for Charleston Harbor along the marsh front between Fort Johnson and Fort Sumter. Specifically, the reef will be closer to Fort Johnson, and just beyond Grice Cove when going from Fort Johnson toward Fort Sumter (32 45.083' N-079 53.374' W).
"Because Charleston Harbor is such a heavily used area, we want feedback before the site is constructed to make sure the public is aware and supportive of the project," said Bob Martore, who coordinates the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Artificial Reef Program. "Public opinion so far has been very positive, especially from the various fishing clubs along the coast that want us to build an inshore reef in their area."
The DNR already maintains a very successful offshore reef program of 42 sites that provide habitat for marine fish. Using funds from the fee increase in the Saltwater Recreational Fishing License, the DNR is expanding the reef program to inshore and intertidal waters in order to provide inshore fishermen with better fishing opportunities along the coast. Martore hopes to get feedback on the proposed inshore site within the next couple of weeks. Comments on the proposed inshore artificial reef site can be directed to Bob Martore by phone at (843) 953-9303 or by e-mail at <a href="http://mailto:martoreb@mrd.dnr.state.sc.us" target="_blank">
"Our goal is to send out the application for the permit in about a month," Martore said. "Due to the permitting process, construction probably could not begin until this spring." The permit has to be approved by the Army Corps of Engineers and the S.C. Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management.
The Charleston Harbor inshore artificial reef will be 200 yards long, 60 yards wide. It will be made up of 156 two-foot high concrete habitat modules coated with oyster shells, in order to simulate natural development of an intertidal oyster reef. The reef units will be grouped into three separate clusters.
Some of the reef units will be visible at low tide but because of the design of the units and the organized pattern of the reef design, DNR staff does not consider the reef to be unsightly. "We are not proposing to use scrap materials on these inshore reefs, and will only use structures that have been specially designed for inshore use. Knowing these reefs will be partially visible at times, we have been especially careful in designing them," Martore said.
Offshore reefs are marked with buoys. Because of the shallow water depth at intertidal sites, it has been proposed that inshore reefs will be marked with pilings similar to channel markers. A piling with an attached sign will delineate each corner of a particular site.
"If these reefs prove successful, future plans call for additional inshore reefs to be placed at other sites along the South Carolina coast," Martore said.
"The program would not be possible without funding and support from the Saltwater Recreational Fishing License Program. These funds ultimately come from recreational fishermen who purchase a saltwater fishing license each year," said John Miglarese, DNR's Deputy Director for the Marine Resources Division. "There will be an increased focus over the next two years on the creation of inshore artificial reefs that are easily accessible by small boat anglers."
Lists of the current offshore artificial reef sites, structures and GPS coordinates, as well as information on using artificial reefs are made available to those who are interested in fishing or diving on the sites. For artificial reef locations or for more information on the DNR's Artificial Reef Program, visit SC DNR Reef Locations ('http://www.dnr.state.sc.us/marine/pub/seascience/reefloc.html').
The DNR Artificial Reef Program was honored in 2002 as a recipient of the Coastal America Partnership Award for an artificial reef project that was jointly conducted with the Charleston U.S. Air Force Base, the S.C. Army National Guard, local U.S. Navy personnel and Stevens Towing Co. (a local marine contractor).
- Written by Jennie R. Davis -