County: Do the ‘write’ thing for patch reefs

If it takes a village to raise a child, perhaps the same can be said for improving the environment. St. Lucie County officials are seeking the public’s help in securing funding for patch reefs near where the Voici Bernadette freighter will soon be sunk off the St. Lucie coast.

“I just need to show there’s community interest in this,” said Jim Oppenborn, the county’s Coastal Resources Coordinator. “Any help would be great.” The county is submitting an application for a grant from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to fund the sinking of 1,500 tons of concrete materials down current from the Voici Bernadette.

The concrete, which would be marine-life safe, would be deployed in a dozen piles – known as patch reefs. They would provide more habitat for juvenile fish and other aquatic life as well as provide more opportunities for recreational divers and anglers.

“It will add complexity to the Voici’s waters,” Oppenborn said.

The reefs will consist of concrete debris from Interstate 95 work as well as from the Crosstown Parkway extension project, concrete railroad ties and concrete culverts – all of which are rated safe for deployment.

Anglers who would drift above the Voici Bernadette, dropping a fishing line behind their boats as the current moves them, and would have more chances to catch a fish if they had the patch reefs to float over.

Oppenborn explained that the current is so strong that it’s nearly impossible for small vessels to anchor near where the Voici will be. Instead, anglers would just drop a line and let the current do the work.

The patch reefs would eventually become established with young fish – fish that anglers could catch.

Not only would the patch reefs provide anglers more fishing opportunities, but also more places for divers to explore. The debris piles would become home to any number of aquatic creatures.

The reefs would also serve as “recruitment” tool for the Voici Bernadette herself, according to Oppenborn.

For instance, red snapper offspring generally begin life in the sand. As they grow, they begin to look for prey in low profile reefs – such as these proposed patch reefs. And, as they become adults who need larger space, they could relocate to the nearby freighter.

The $60,000 FWC grant won’t be awarded before the county plans to deploy and sink the Voici Bernadette, which is why Oppenborn is pursuing the patch reefs.

Oppenborn said he hopes the public will see the value of the patch reefs and support the county’s effort to win the FWC grant. Those who wish to help are encouraged to personalize letters of support and submit them to his office to be packaged with the grant request.

Those involved in organizations or businesses that tie into the environment or marine economy are requested to send letters on their letterhead. Oppenborn said it would be helpful to include supportive anecdotes regarding artificial reefs.

A sample letter can be provided by emailing Jim Oppenborn at oppenbornj@stlucieco.org.

He said he plans to submit the grant before the end of the month, so the sooner the letters can be sent to him, the better.

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