Destruction of Offshore & Nearshore Reef Complexes – Essential Fish Habitat

Town of Palm Beach officials refer to near shore reefs as “lifeless rocks”. More than 40 species are visible in this cross-section, including juvenile Stone Crabs. Photo taken at Phipps Park August 2005, before reef was buried. REEF IS NOT “JUST ROCK”

UNNECESSARY PROJECTS : Elimination of reef & family fishing at Phipps Park Phipps Park was a stable beach, not eroded, and popular for its reefs Despite 5 years of activism and National Marine Fisheries Service dissent, the reef was buried, and Mitigation failed

Carlin Reef, Jupiter Destroyed 1. Deepwater mitigation was not kind-for-kind habitat. 2. Home to 537 Species destroyed 3. Safe swimming hampered by murky water 4. Surfing areas were degraded badly BEFOREAFTER

Independent Scientists Ignored

SEDIMENT INCOMPATIBILITY “Fine sediments are rarely suitable to place on the beach, and they won’t behave the same in the surf zone. Once they’re placed in a high energy environment they break apart, release fine sediments into the surf zone, and migrate rapidly along with the silt component back offshore.” – Dr. Hal Wanless, Chair of Geological Sciences, University of Miami

STATISTICS Reports are often ACOE generated or written by paid consultants 45 Florida Anglers with combined 1150 years fishing experience unanimously decried the impacts 15 peer-reviewed studies document serious impacts on beaches and nearshore reefs from unsuitable or poorly placed material

Turtles and Recreation Existing beaches are more than adequate width/height for turtle nesting Nearshore Reefs provide forage and cover for juvenile turtles listed by EPA as Endangered Species Recreation will be eliminated, not “augmented”, due to loss of: –Surfing, –Fishing –Safe swimming –Snorkeling opportunities, plus, –Impacts to offshore scuba diving

SEA TURTLE IMPACTS So-called “beach nourishment” hurts turtles in many ways

Alternatives to mining Boynton Inlet Sand Transfer Plant

Alternatives to mining Boca Raton Inlet dredge, placing clean sand on down drift beach via flexible pipe segments

Valuable Recreational & Natural Resources At Risk

Destruction of Offshore & Nearshore Reef Complexes – Essential Fish Habitat

Inland mine west of Vero Beach

Classic native sand beach