11-26-2008, 12:10 PM
WHAT: Maryland Artificial Reef Initiative partners including the Ocean City Reef Foundation, MTA New York City Transit, and the town of OceanCity celebrate the placement of retired New York City subway cars into the Atlantic Ocean for creation of a second new artificial reef. More than 40 subway cars will be reefed at the Bass Grounds reef site, located approximately 10 miles southeast of Ocean City, Maryland. Media will be able to shoot and photograph reefing of the subway cars at a close distance from the comfort of a large charter boat, the Judith M.
WHEN: Tuesday, November 25* from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
8 a.m. Boat departs Ocean City for the reef site<br />
9:15 a.m. Arrive at the reef site to view subway cars reefing<br />
10:15 a.m. Boat departs reef site to return to Ocean City<br />
(timing flexible, depending on media needs)<br />
12 p.m. Arrive back at marina
*Note: Event rescheduled from Friday, Nov. 21 due to unfavorable weather conditions.
Reporters must RSVP to 410-260-8018 or katurner@dnr.state.md.us by COB Monday, Nov. 24 to confirm a space aboard the boat.
WHERE: Aboard the Judith M. departing from Bahia Marina<br />
2107 Herring Way & 21st Street in Ocean City, Md.
BACKGROUND:
Vibrant marine communities, such as oyster reefs, coral reefs and underwater grass beds, are critical to supporting diverse species of fish that were once prolific in the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland's Atlantic coast. Today, however, this type of habitat is
ly a mere shadow of its historical scope. Placement of retired New York City subway cars will create deep water artificial reefs that provide excellent habitat for benthic organisms and fish. Once completed, the up to 600-car matrix of reef sites is expected to become a premier fishing and diving destination offOcean City's coast. This reef represents MARI's second coastal reef project.
For more information about the Maryland Artificial Reef Initiative, visit www.marylandreefs.org.
For more information about the Ocean City Reef Foundation, visit http://www.ocreeffoundation.com/.
###
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 449,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries, and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic, and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.DNR.Maryland.gov.
Media Contact<br />
Ocean City Reef Foundation, Marta Beman (410) 208-0064, ocreef@msn.com<br />
MTA New York City Transit, Charles Seaton (646) 252-5878, charles.seaton@nyct.com<br />
Ocean City, Donna Abbott (410) 723-8609, dabbott@ococean.com<br />
MD DNR, Kara Turner (410) 260-8018, katurner@dnr.state.md.us
WHEN: Tuesday, November 25* from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
8 a.m. Boat departs Ocean City for the reef site<br />
9:15 a.m. Arrive at the reef site to view subway cars reefing<br />
10:15 a.m. Boat departs reef site to return to Ocean City<br />
(timing flexible, depending on media needs)<br />
12 p.m. Arrive back at marina
*Note: Event rescheduled from Friday, Nov. 21 due to unfavorable weather conditions.
Reporters must RSVP to 410-260-8018 or katurner@dnr.state.md.us by COB Monday, Nov. 24 to confirm a space aboard the boat.
WHERE: Aboard the Judith M. departing from Bahia Marina<br />
2107 Herring Way & 21st Street in Ocean City, Md.
BACKGROUND:
Vibrant marine communities, such as oyster reefs, coral reefs and underwater grass beds, are critical to supporting diverse species of fish that were once prolific in the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland's Atlantic coast. Today, however, this type of habitat is
ly a mere shadow of its historical scope. Placement of retired New York City subway cars will create deep water artificial reefs that provide excellent habitat for benthic organisms and fish. Once completed, the up to 600-car matrix of reef sites is expected to become a premier fishing and diving destination offOcean City's coast. This reef represents MARI's second coastal reef project.For more information about the Maryland Artificial Reef Initiative, visit www.marylandreefs.org.
For more information about the Ocean City Reef Foundation, visit http://www.ocreeffoundation.com/.
###
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 449,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries, and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic, and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.DNR.Maryland.gov.
Media Contact<br />
Ocean City Reef Foundation, Marta Beman (410) 208-0064, ocreef@msn.com<br />
MTA New York City Transit, Charles Seaton (646) 252-5878, charles.seaton@nyct.com<br />
Ocean City, Donna Abbott (410) 723-8609, dabbott@ococean.com<br />
MD DNR, Kara Turner (410) 260-8018, katurner@dnr.state.md.us