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Preservationists and experts tell Okaloosa commissioners to pause SS United States reefing plan over contaminants and species risks
Summary
Preservation groups and technical experts told Okaloosa County commissioners the county has not fully addressed potential hexavalent chromium, other contaminants and endangered‑species impacts tied to plans to sink the SS United States, and asked for additional testing and federal agency review; county staff said they are coordinating with EPA/DEP.
Preservation advocates and technical experts urged Okaloosa County commissioners on Jan. 6 to stop short of final action on plans to reef the SS United States until more environmental review and testing are completed.
Justin Ruby of the SS United States Preservation Foundation told the board that the ship carries zinc chromate and hexavalent chromium and that county staff have not budgeted for the potential expense of required remediation. "Your natural resources chief tells this board that the hexavalent chromium will simply be reduced to a less toxic trivalent chromium in the ocean water. This is, unfortunately, an oversimplification," Ruby said, arguing that federal regulatory requirements and endangered‑species protections could complicate reefing plans.
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