Jacksonville Waterways Commission urges revival of artificial-reef program; seeks state briefing and funding

Commissioner Mark Hardesty urged the Jacksonville Waterways Commission on Feb. 13 to revive the city's artificial-reef program, saying years of inactivity and deterioration of older reef material have left the city “out of the game” and that recent permitting and state funding opportunities may allow a restart.

Hardesty said Jacksonville was once a national and state leader on artificial reefs but largely halted reef activity “around the 02/2009 time frame” after the sinking of a vessel called the Spike. He told the commission that 19 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permits relevant to reefs are still active and “are active until February,” with the possibility of extension if the city applies and meets permit conditions. He also cited what he described as a state budget proposal from Governor Ron DeSantis that includes $10 million specifically for artificial reefs.

“There's an economic and environmental driver here,” Hardesty said, adding he had spoken with “Keith Milley,” whom he identified as running the state's artificial-reef program, and suggested the commission invite Milley and state Fish and Wildlife Commission representatives to make a 20-minute presentation at the commission's April meeting.

Captain Jim Suber said the city’s existing permits are organized in offshore “pods” that avoid shipping lanes, that some pods have been used previously, and that maintenance and inspection obligations tied to permits (removing fishing line, inspection) are a limiting factor for local sponsors. Councilman Jimmy Peluso asked whether reef placement had been evaluated to avoid disruption to naval installations; Suber replied that site selection and permitting account for shipping lanes and other constraints.

Commissioner Robert Bertalan asked about past objections from local shrimpers; Suber and Hardesty said those concerns were primarily tied to inshore reefs inside the three-mile limit and that existing permits at greater distances would not be expected to interfere with shrimping grounds if sited carefully. Local commenter John J. Nooney urged support for an artificial-reef trust fund and for private and public fundraising, and described past local involvement in reef work.

No formal vote was taken. Hardesty asked the chair to extend an official invitation to the state program and to schedule a presentation for April so the commission could consider next steps including grant writing and partner identification.