First Of State's Expanded Artificial Reefs Installed

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — The first of Governor Andrew Cuomo's efforts to expand New York's networks of artificial reefs unfolded Thursday at the Shinnecock reef, off Shinnecock Inlet.

Recycled materials from the former Tappan Zee Bridge, as well as former canal vessels, were installed.

The program, first unveiled in April, aims to bolster 12 artificial reefs off the shores of Long Island and has been called the largest expansion of artificial reefs in state history.

The materials for the reef expansion will be strategically placed to improve New York's diverse marine life and boost Long Island's recreational, and sport fishing and diving industries, Cuomo said in a release.

Five other reef sites are slated for enhancement this year in Moriches, Smithtown, Fire Island, Hempstead and Rockaway, officials said.

"Long Island's economy thrives when there are fish for anglers to catch and recreational opportunities to explore marine life along the coast," Cuomo said. "These artificial reefs are an investment in a stronger, more diverse marine ecosystem that will bolster the economy and bring a new purpose to the former Tappan Zee Bridge that will continue to serve New Yorkers for generations to come."

Recycled material will be garnered from the Department of Transportation, Canal Corporation, and the Thruway Authority; construction of New York's first artificial reef dates back to 1949, Cuomo said.

On Thursday, a total of 1,093.2 tons of materials were added to the Shinnecock Reef: Barges dropped 885 tons of clean, recycled Tappan Zee Bridge material, as well as deconstructed New York State Department of Transportation project materials, including 35 tons of triangular trusses, 100 tons of concrete deck panels, 750 tons of steel foundation pipes, six tons of steel lattice trusses, 13.1 tons of pieces of steel sheeting, 37 tons of steel beams, 13.8 tons of steel columns, 9.4 tons of steel girders, 0.9 tons of steel channels, and 128 tons of steel pipes, Cuomo said.

In addition, the state also placed three decommissioned canal boats at the reef, including a 110-foot barge, 74-foot tugboat, and 40-foot tender.

The 35-acre reef is located two nautical miles from shore and is 85 feet deep at its deepest point.

New York's marine resources, which will benefit from the artificial reef enhancment, are critical to the state's economy, Cuomo said.

"Governor Cuomo is leading the way towards improving Long Island's water quality and restoring our marine ecosystems," said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. "This is a critical step to ensuring the health and economic well-being of our region, and I thank the Governor for his continued commitment to protecting our environment."

Added: Nassau County Executive Laura Curran: "Nassau County is excited to be part of Governor Cuomo's rejuvenated artificial reef program, and witness first-hand the placement of materials from the Tappan Zee Bridge. These new reefs will help restore our oceans and provide new opportunities for anglers, divers, and snorkelers. Today's reef announcement further cements New York as an environmental innovator and leader."

Adrienne Esposito, executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment, said building artificial reefs, restoring fish stocks and protecting the ocean are all actions abundantly supported by the public. "Long Islanders love our waterways and the state's efforts to protect and restore them is essential for our sustainability," she said.

Throughout the summer, state agencies will be deploying 33 barges of Tappan Zee Bridge recycled materials and 30 additional vessels that have been cleaned of all contaminants. A total of 43,200 cubic yards of recycled Tappan Zee Bridge material, 338 cubic yards of steel pipe from DOT, and 5,900 cubic yards of jetty rock will be submerged and added to six reef sites as part of the first phase of the governor's initiative, the release said.

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation manages New York's Artificial Reef Program, which includes two reefs in the Long Island Sound, two in the Great South Bay, and eight artificial reefs in the Atlantic Ocean.

The reefs are built out of hard, durable structures such as rock, concrete, and steel pipes, and usually in the form of surplus or scrap materials that are cleaned of contaminants.

After materials and vessels settle to the sea floor, larger fish like blackfish, black sea bass, cod, and winter and summer flounder move in to build habitats within the new structures, and encrusting organisms such as barnacles, sponges, anemones, corals, and mussels cling to and cover the material. Over time, all these structures will create habitat similar to a natural reef, the release explained.

The other artificial reefs are:

• Smithtown Reef — Three canal vessels and one barge of steel will be deployed; the three-acre reef is located 1.6 miles from shore.
• Moriches Reef — Two barges of Tappan Zee Bridge material and two canal vessels will be deployed in July and August to expand the artificial reef. The 14-acre reef is located 2.4 miles from shore.
• Fire Island Reef — Ten barges of Tappan Zee Bridge material, 11 canal vessels, one barge of steel and four barges of jetty rock will be deployed June 26 through 28. The 744-acre reef is located two miles from shore.
• Hempstead Reef — Twelve barges of Tappan Zee Bridge material and 11 canal vessels will be deployed in July and August. The 744-acre reef is located 3.3 miles from shore.
• Rockaway Reef — One barge of Tappan Zee Bridge material will be deployed in July and August. The 413-acre reef is located 1.6 miles from shore.