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Commission approves Wolf River no‑wake zone and recommends artificial reef permit
Summary
The commission recommended a no‑wake safety zone for a Wolf River launch extension and recommended approval of a submerged artificial reef permit after staff review and conditions requested by the U.S. Coast Guard and Corps were noted.
The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources Commission voted to recommend a no‑wake zone extension on the Wolf River at Minj Avenue and voted to recommend the executive director approve a variance and permit for a proposed 50‑acre submerged artificial reef.
Captain Strickland of Marine Patrol presented the Wolf River proposal and said the requested change extends an existing 100‑foot no‑wake area adjacent to public launching facilities south to the new bridge to reduce collisions and blind‑spot hazards at a recently built southern boat ramp. The staff recommendation to the director described the proposed no‑wake zone as an extension of an existing state requirement and said transit time at reduced speed would increase by about three minutes. A motion to recommend the staff proposal passed with an aye vote.
On a separate item, staff presented two applications for a submerged artificial reef proposed to be sited roughly two miles north of Pettibislaw/Pettiboy Island (as recorded). The applicant requested a variance to fill approximately 50 acres of coastal wetlands and proposed structures including EcoDisc units and concrete culverts. The U.S. Coast Guard requested a minimum 12‑foot low‑water clearance (staff said the applicant agreed) and the Army Corps of Engineers and EPA submitted comments about the reef plan and navigation risks. Department staff concluded the project would enhance habitat and fishing opportunity, avoid biologically sensitive areas and recommended the commission recommend approval to the executive director with conditions including coordination with the U.S. Coast Guard for aids to navigation. The commission moved and approved that recommendation.
The meeting record also shows the January state saltwater finfish record recommendations (state records for common snook) were presented and that staff reported routine licensing updates and enforcement statistics; those items were reported without extended public debate. No ordinance or ordinance adoption votes were taken at the meeting.
