Surfrider needs your help!What would you do if one of your favorite surf spots was going to be ruined - forever? Breaks like RC's, Mark Realty, Paradise Park, Peg Legs, changed forever from a well formed reef break to a closed out, possibly dangerous shorepound. Would it make you more angry if the project not only ruined a world class wave, but also buried a federally protected reef system? And is it over the top that the buried reef happened to be an Essential Fish Habitat for grouper plus served as protection for juvenile sea turtles? What about the eco-tourism jobs that these reef provide? Just Gone?!
The ACOE has released it’s ‘’final plan’’ for the mid reach (the 7.8 miles of beach from south end of PAFB to north Indialantic). This area has been spared the type of large-scale ‘’beach renourishment’’ projects that have ruined surfing and fishing up and down our coast. Because of the unique coquina reef which is a Federally protected fish habitat, the ACOE has had to formulate a plan ‘’they say’’ will only bury a few acres of reef. We all know how accurate the ACOE is at predicting the outcome of their projects (not).
Many of us who use this area understand what a treasure we have in this reef. The structured bottom creates some of the best surf in Florida. The beach fishing is nearly as famous as the surf spots; the reef supports a wide variety of species by providing habitat and food. Anyone who has been snorkeling in the area knows how rich it is in life, and there’s nothing else like it in Brevard County. And it brings thousands of visitors, who spend money here, to our shores!
Overall, they are not fixing the problem - which is the seawalls, crossovers, and pipes that are causing the upland erosion.
**They don't have proof of worm reef growing on the mitigation reef (Their test reef was buried by sediment, killing off most of the growth)
**They don't have an answer to if juvenile fish can survive in deeper water
**They don't have a plan to install the mitigation reef first, which is recommended
**They don't prove that the sand won't affect surfing or fishing
**They only had two public hearings, neither offering a chance for adequate discussion on the alternatives
**They don't take into account the abrupt change in water depth when extending the beach, endangering swimmers
And it's $165 million, dumping sand on reefs for the next 50 years (that's without a change in cost or availability)
The primary justification for the project is $11.5M PER YEAR of ‘’storm damage reduction’’ in that 7.8 mile stretch – that is, the damage to structures will be $11.5M/yr less with the project, compared to no project. An independent peer review of the ‘’plan’’ seriously questioned this number, but the ACOE is sticking with it…
Please help Surfrider be it's primary defenders. SAVE THE REEF!
YOU CAN DO SOMETHING.. Now.. Click on the email address below and submit your comments. You only have until Monday, January 30th. It is not too late!
EMAIL: Paul.E.Stodola@usace.army.mil
Subject - Brevard Mid Reach
Copy your comments to your local paper (who hasn't covered this and probably won't) and local representatives. Thank you for your continued support and time! - Surfrider: our coast's protector!
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