Boat Launches and Artificial Reef Program to Get Boost from Saltwater License
New York State Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis today joined Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee Chairman Robert Sweeney to announce the planned restoration of New York's artificial reefs program and the improvement of fishing and diving at 12 sites around Long Island.
Using funds from the state saltwater fishing license and the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act (Wallop-Breaux), the restoration plan will enhance 11 previously identified reef sites and add one new one by creating reefs from a variety of materials that include rock provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from its dredging operations in New York Harbor. The south shore reef sites are Atlantic Beach, Fisherman (Yellow Bar), Fishing Line (McAllister Grounds), Fire Island, Hempstead, Kismet, Moriches, Rockaway and Shinnecock. The north shore sites are Matinecock and Smithtown. The new site is Twelve Mile reef, located south of the Moriches and Shinnecock reefs. Final determinations on the suitability of the dredged material will not occur until actual dredging begins in July and the necessary permits are in place.
Reef structures provide valuable marine habitat for species such as tautog, fluke, black sea bass, scup and bluefish, as well as crustaceans. The structures will also provide new opportunities for recreational divers and commercial dive boats.
"Expanding the reef program will provide tremendous new opportunities for anglers and divers alike," Assemblyman Sweeney said. "The artificial reef program has always been popular and I am delighted that it is being revitalized. There is also a continuing need for improved boat launching sites on Long Island; I appreciate the commissioner committing resources here for this purpose."
"By keeping saltwater license fees in-state, New York can improve an array of conservation programs - to the benefit of anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts," Commissioner Grannis said. "With the partnership developed by the State Legislature, the Army Corps of Engineers, DEC and the fishing community, this popular initiative can move forward."
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and its local sponsor, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, have multiple harbor dredge projects continuing through 2015 that could yield acceptable rock material for placement at several of the above mentioned reef sites. Not only would the restoration plan create valuable marine habitat and recreational opportunities, but also the interagency partnership will save on project costs during these fiscally difficult times.
"Maximizing all feasible, beneficial uses of material gathered in constructing and maintaining a world-class port and estuary, such as the further creation of artificial reefs in New York's waters, is a top priority for us," said Col. John R. Boulé, commander of the New York District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. "We are pleased to be able to partner with New York to further improve and enhance the waters that we all share."
Support of the Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) Bureau of Marine Resources reef program and its continued activities are directly linked to revenue from the sale of recreational marine fishing licenses. To date, the state has sold approximately 137,000 lifetime, annual, weekly and daily resident and non-resident saltwater licenses, with sales totaling $2.5 million. This funding not only supports important marine resource programs but it is matched with federal sport fish restoration funding from the Wallop-Breaux Act. New York has received $9.5 million from the Wallop-Breaux Act for licensed freshwater and saltwater anglers for use in this year's budget, of which, approximately $3 million will be available specifically for the projects in the state's marine district. The state will get an additional $9 per newly licensed angler in future years' funding allocations.
Charter Boat Captain John McMurray said: "Using license fees to restore the artificial reef program is a good idea. This puts anglers' money to work here in New York, enhancing recreational opportunities."
Charles Witek, Vice Chair of the Coastal Conservation Association New York (CCA NY), said: "CCA NY has long supported the marine fishing license. We believe that this restoration of the artificial reef program is only the first of many benefits that anglers will enjoy in return for their license revenues."
Key Boat Launch Sites In The Works
Click on the map above to see a map in PDF version (72 kB)In addition to the reef program, three boat launch sites are benefiting from major rebuilding this year. At Moriches in Suffolk County, the shoreline is being stabilized around the boat ramp and the parking area is being improved. The site will be available for this year's fishing season. The $180,000 estimated funds for the project came from sport fish restoration program (Wallop-Breaux). The area will be revegetated in the fall.
Work on the second boat launch project at Mattituck in Suffolk County began in the fall of 2009; it opened on June 5, 2010. Additional habitat, recreational and operational improvements include a new two-lane concrete boat ramp and parking for 60 vehicles and trailers, marine pump-out stations and a boat wash-down area. Attractive and environmentally suitable landscaping, observation areas, benches and picnic tables are among the list of new amenities. The removal of a dilapidated, sunken barge also improved marine habitat at the site. Future work will include creating more tidal wetlands and a buffer habitat, as well as universally accessible recreational opportunities for launching canoes and kayaks.
DEC will also assist the Town of Babylon in updating the existing boat launch ramp and boat slips at the Venetian Shores Park in Lindenhurst. The project will refurbish approximately 4,000 square feet of wood decking on either side of the 60' x 40' ramp, as well as 300 feet of breakwater. This popular site is heavily utilized, and one of the few public launch ramps providing access to the Great South Bay.
"Many people choose to live on Long Island to be close to its unparalleled beaches, boating and fishing. These improvements will make it easier for Long Islanders to experience the beauty and recreational opportunities our waters offer," concluded Sweeney.
New York State Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis today joined Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee Chairman Robert Sweeney to announce the planned restoration of New York's artificial reefs program and the improvement of fishing and diving at 12 sites around Long Island.
Using funds from the state saltwater fishing license and the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act (Wallop-Breaux), the restoration plan will enhance 11 previously identified reef sites and add one new one by creating reefs from a variety of materials that include rock provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from its dredging operations in New York Harbor. The south shore reef sites are Atlantic Beach, Fisherman (Yellow Bar), Fishing Line (McAllister Grounds), Fire Island, Hempstead, Kismet, Moriches, Rockaway and Shinnecock. The north shore sites are Matinecock and Smithtown. The new site is Twelve Mile reef, located south of the Moriches and Shinnecock reefs. Final determinations on the suitability of the dredged material will not occur until actual dredging begins in July and the necessary permits are in place.
Reef structures provide valuable marine habitat for species such as tautog, fluke, black sea bass, scup and bluefish, as well as crustaceans. The structures will also provide new opportunities for recreational divers and commercial dive boats.
"Expanding the reef program will provide tremendous new opportunities for anglers and divers alike," Assemblyman Sweeney said. "The artificial reef program has always been popular and I am delighted that it is being revitalized. There is also a continuing need for improved boat launching sites on Long Island; I appreciate the commissioner committing resources here for this purpose."
"By keeping saltwater license fees in-state, New York can improve an array of conservation programs - to the benefit of anglers and other outdoor enthusiasts," Commissioner Grannis said. "With the partnership developed by the State Legislature, the Army Corps of Engineers, DEC and the fishing community, this popular initiative can move forward."
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and its local sponsor, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, have multiple harbor dredge projects continuing through 2015 that could yield acceptable rock material for placement at several of the above mentioned reef sites. Not only would the restoration plan create valuable marine habitat and recreational opportunities, but also the interagency partnership will save on project costs during these fiscally difficult times.
"Maximizing all feasible, beneficial uses of material gathered in constructing and maintaining a world-class port and estuary, such as the further creation of artificial reefs in New York's waters, is a top priority for us," said Col. John R. Boulé, commander of the New York District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. "We are pleased to be able to partner with New York to further improve and enhance the waters that we all share."
Support of the Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) Bureau of Marine Resources reef program and its continued activities are directly linked to revenue from the sale of recreational marine fishing licenses. To date, the state has sold approximately 137,000 lifetime, annual, weekly and daily resident and non-resident saltwater licenses, with sales totaling $2.5 million. This funding not only supports important marine resource programs but it is matched with federal sport fish restoration funding from the Wallop-Breaux Act. New York has received $9.5 million from the Wallop-Breaux Act for licensed freshwater and saltwater anglers for use in this year's budget, of which, approximately $3 million will be available specifically for the projects in the state's marine district. The state will get an additional $9 per newly licensed angler in future years' funding allocations.
Charter Boat Captain John McMurray said: "Using license fees to restore the artificial reef program is a good idea. This puts anglers' money to work here in New York, enhancing recreational opportunities."
Charles Witek, Vice Chair of the Coastal Conservation Association New York (CCA NY), said: "CCA NY has long supported the marine fishing license. We believe that this restoration of the artificial reef program is only the first of many benefits that anglers will enjoy in return for their license revenues."
Key Boat Launch Sites In The Works
Click on the map above to see a map in PDF version (72 kB)In addition to the reef program, three boat launch sites are benefiting from major rebuilding this year. At Moriches in Suffolk County, the shoreline is being stabilized around the boat ramp and the parking area is being improved. The site will be available for this year's fishing season. The $180,000 estimated funds for the project came from sport fish restoration program (Wallop-Breaux). The area will be revegetated in the fall.
Work on the second boat launch project at Mattituck in Suffolk County began in the fall of 2009; it opened on June 5, 2010. Additional habitat, recreational and operational improvements include a new two-lane concrete boat ramp and parking for 60 vehicles and trailers, marine pump-out stations and a boat wash-down area. Attractive and environmentally suitable landscaping, observation areas, benches and picnic tables are among the list of new amenities. The removal of a dilapidated, sunken barge also improved marine habitat at the site. Future work will include creating more tidal wetlands and a buffer habitat, as well as universally accessible recreational opportunities for launching canoes and kayaks.
DEC will also assist the Town of Babylon in updating the existing boat launch ramp and boat slips at the Venetian Shores Park in Lindenhurst. The project will refurbish approximately 4,000 square feet of wood decking on either side of the 60' x 40' ramp, as well as 300 feet of breakwater. This popular site is heavily utilized, and one of the few public launch ramps providing access to the Great South Bay.
"Many people choose to live on Long Island to be close to its unparalleled beaches, boating and fishing. These improvements will make it easier for Long Islanders to experience the beauty and recreational opportunities our waters offer," concluded Sweeney.