08-04-2005, 08:40 PM
Following is the text of a NJ DEP News Release about the sinking of a
decommissioned ferryboat as part of the state's Artificial Reef Program
(http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/artreef.htm). For the web-based
version see http://www.state.nj.us/dep/newsrel/2005/05_0106.htm.
New Program Provides Reef Materials as Part of Governor's "Coast 2005"
Initiative
CAPE MAY --The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
today deployed a decommissioned ferryboat on the state's Cape May
artificial reef site. The deployment will help to improve New Jersey's
artificial reefs and is part of the commitment made by Acting Governor
Richard J. Codey's "Coast 2005" initiative.
"The Jersey Shore is one of our greatest natural resources and most
important economic engines," Governor Codey said. "Today's artificial
reef deployment improves coastal resources while keeping the shore a
quality part of the Jersey experience for future generations."
"Our artificial reef program provides tremendous benefits to fishermen,
divers, and our shore economy, while also providing new marine habitat"
said DEP Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell. "New Jersey is a national
leader in artificial reef management and we remain committed to
enhancing these reef sites for the dual benefit of our environment and
economy."
The ferryboat, known as the "Elizabeth," was located in the
Philadelphia harbor prior to its deployment and has been decommissioned
for sometime, previously having been used as a restaurant. The vessel
will be 36 feet tall underwater, as DEP's preparations included the
removal of its pilothouses, 60 feet wide and 220 feet long. It will
provide two long, open corridors that should attract both fish and
divers.
DEP acquired the ferryboat through a $100,000 appropriation for
deployment of three vessels on artificial reef sites. Earlier this year,
the state sank a decommissioned navy tanker, dubbed the "Helis" after
the beluga whale that had recently been spotted in the Delaware River,
on the Garden State North artificial reef site. The state will deploy
the remaining vessel later this year. DEP is placing the three ships at
reefs along the entire Jersey coast so that as many residents as
possible can enjoy the benefits of these new acquisitions.
Artificial reefs play an important role in supporting New Jersey's
marine fishing and diving industries, whose activities on the reefs
alone generate more than $50 million and overall provide more than $850
million to New Jersey's economy. In one study, DEP determined that one
out of every five fish caught by recreational anglers in New Jersey's
marine waters during 2000 was caught on a reef site.
Earlier this year, Governor Codey announced his "Coast 2005"
initiative, which includes a variety of programs designed to enhance
coastal water quality and improve coastal ecosystems. Aside from the
reef building program, the initiative includes new standards for
maintenance and inspection of sewer systems to help prevent spills from
polluting New Jersey's waters; $30 million in grant funding to assist
municipalities in developing storm water management plans; and
strengthening coastal zone restrictions for offshore oil and gas
development.
The DEP initiated its ocean reef building program in 1984, establishing
over time a network of 14 reef sites from Sandy Hook to Cape May that
encompass a total of 25 square miles of sea floor. The state has made
more than 3,500 deployments of various reef materials - more than any
other state in the country - including ships and barges, massive
undersea ridges from six million tons of rock, and thousands of
fabricated concrete reef units.
Artificial reefs can provide important habitat for many of New Jersey's
marine species, with up to 200 species of fish and invertebrates known
to colonize our reefs. Reefs also have 800 to 1,000 times more biomass
than open ocean and can form important nurseries for juvenile fish.
In October 2004, DEP issued for public comment the most recent draft of
its Artificial Reef Management Plan that covers all aspects of the
multi-faceted program, including its objectives, history, benefits, site
selection and other considerations. The new plan also establishes a
protective standard for the stability, durability and effectiveness of
various materials used in reef construction. Currently there is no
uniform national standard for the durability of reef materials.
The 4.5-square mile Cape May Reef Site where today's deployment
occurred is approximately 8.5 miles offshore from Cape May and is
comprised of more than 75,000 cubic yards of vessels, tanks, tire units,
specially-designed "reef balls" and other materials. In 2003, it was one
of five artificial reefs where New Jersey deployed 250 decommissioned
New York City subway cars.
Sinking of the vessel consisted of cutting a single hole in the ferry's
one watertight compartment. Prior to deploying the ferryboat at the reef
site, DEP supervised cleaning of the tanker to remove all greases,
floatables and other materials that might be harmful to the marine
environment. The U.S. Coast Guard inspected the cleanup of the ship
prior to allowing DEP to transport it to the reef site.
This vessel is the 135th ship to be sunk on New Jersey's artificial
reef sites.
For more information on New Jersey's artificial reef program visit the
DEP website at http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/artreef.htm. For more
information about the Governor's "Coast 2005" initiative, visit
http://www.nj.gov/dep/cmp/czm_zone.html.
Related Links
DEP Artificial Reef Program
http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/artreef.htm
DEP-New Jersey's C oast 2005
http://www.nj.gov/dep/cmp/czm_zone.html
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decommissioned ferryboat as part of the state's Artificial Reef Program
(http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/artreef.htm). For the web-based
version see http://www.state.nj.us/dep/newsrel/2005/05_0106.htm.
New Program Provides Reef Materials as Part of Governor's "Coast 2005"
Initiative
CAPE MAY --The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
today deployed a decommissioned ferryboat on the state's Cape May
artificial reef site. The deployment will help to improve New Jersey's
artificial reefs and is part of the commitment made by Acting Governor
Richard J. Codey's "Coast 2005" initiative.
"The Jersey Shore is one of our greatest natural resources and most
important economic engines," Governor Codey said. "Today's artificial
reef deployment improves coastal resources while keeping the shore a
quality part of the Jersey experience for future generations."
"Our artificial reef program provides tremendous benefits to fishermen,
divers, and our shore economy, while also providing new marine habitat"
said DEP Commissioner Bradley M. Campbell. "New Jersey is a national
leader in artificial reef management and we remain committed to
enhancing these reef sites for the dual benefit of our environment and
economy."
The ferryboat, known as the "Elizabeth," was located in the
Philadelphia harbor prior to its deployment and has been decommissioned
for sometime, previously having been used as a restaurant. The vessel
will be 36 feet tall underwater, as DEP's preparations included the
removal of its pilothouses, 60 feet wide and 220 feet long. It will
provide two long, open corridors that should attract both fish and
divers.
DEP acquired the ferryboat through a $100,000 appropriation for
deployment of three vessels on artificial reef sites. Earlier this year,
the state sank a decommissioned navy tanker, dubbed the "Helis" after
the beluga whale that had recently been spotted in the Delaware River,
on the Garden State North artificial reef site. The state will deploy
the remaining vessel later this year. DEP is placing the three ships at
reefs along the entire Jersey coast so that as many residents as
possible can enjoy the benefits of these new acquisitions.
Artificial reefs play an important role in supporting New Jersey's
marine fishing and diving industries, whose activities on the reefs
alone generate more than $50 million and overall provide more than $850
million to New Jersey's economy. In one study, DEP determined that one
out of every five fish caught by recreational anglers in New Jersey's
marine waters during 2000 was caught on a reef site.
Earlier this year, Governor Codey announced his "Coast 2005"
initiative, which includes a variety of programs designed to enhance
coastal water quality and improve coastal ecosystems. Aside from the
reef building program, the initiative includes new standards for
maintenance and inspection of sewer systems to help prevent spills from
polluting New Jersey's waters; $30 million in grant funding to assist
municipalities in developing storm water management plans; and
strengthening coastal zone restrictions for offshore oil and gas
development.
The DEP initiated its ocean reef building program in 1984, establishing
over time a network of 14 reef sites from Sandy Hook to Cape May that
encompass a total of 25 square miles of sea floor. The state has made
more than 3,500 deployments of various reef materials - more than any
other state in the country - including ships and barges, massive
undersea ridges from six million tons of rock, and thousands of
fabricated concrete reef units.
Artificial reefs can provide important habitat for many of New Jersey's
marine species, with up to 200 species of fish and invertebrates known
to colonize our reefs. Reefs also have 800 to 1,000 times more biomass
than open ocean and can form important nurseries for juvenile fish.
In October 2004, DEP issued for public comment the most recent draft of
its Artificial Reef Management Plan that covers all aspects of the
multi-faceted program, including its objectives, history, benefits, site
selection and other considerations. The new plan also establishes a
protective standard for the stability, durability and effectiveness of
various materials used in reef construction. Currently there is no
uniform national standard for the durability of reef materials.
The 4.5-square mile Cape May Reef Site where today's deployment
occurred is approximately 8.5 miles offshore from Cape May and is
comprised of more than 75,000 cubic yards of vessels, tanks, tire units,
specially-designed "reef balls" and other materials. In 2003, it was one
of five artificial reefs where New Jersey deployed 250 decommissioned
New York City subway cars.
Sinking of the vessel consisted of cutting a single hole in the ferry's
one watertight compartment. Prior to deploying the ferryboat at the reef
site, DEP supervised cleaning of the tanker to remove all greases,
floatables and other materials that might be harmful to the marine
environment. The U.S. Coast Guard inspected the cleanup of the ship
prior to allowing DEP to transport it to the reef site.
This vessel is the 135th ship to be sunk on New Jersey's artificial
reef sites.
For more information on New Jersey's artificial reef program visit the
DEP website at http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/artreef.htm. For more
information about the Governor's "Coast 2005" initiative, visit
http://www.nj.gov/dep/cmp/czm_zone.html.
Related Links
DEP Artificial Reef Program
http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/artreef.htm
DEP-New Jersey's C oast 2005
http://www.nj.gov/dep/cmp/czm_zone.html
[signature]
