South Walton Artificial Reef Association is a newly formed non-profit organization dedicated to constructing artificial reefs in the bay and gulf coastal waters of Walton County, Florida.
Andy McAlexander, founder, shares "The idea for the South Walton Artificial Reef Association came about after attending seminars regarding RESTORE Act and NRDA funds. I started thinking 'what can we do that will benefit our community and environment for generations to come?' I met Dr. Ron Childs, a founding member of MBARA (Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association) who inspired me to start researching artificial reefs around the state of Florida."
A study by the University of Florida shows that the 5 counties of the Northwest Florida region realize above-average benefit-to-cost ratio returns (131 to x) experienced by most coastal communities with nearby artificial reefs. Florida has 2700+ reefs. Of the 600+ artificial reefs in the NW Florida region... Walton County only has FOUR! Bay County has 220+ artificial reefs, Okaloosa County has 181+ artificial reefs, and Walton County has FOUR! The four existing artificial reefs are 3-7 miles offshore. SWARA's vision is for 18 permitted reef patch sites:
* 5 OYSTER BED RESTORATION reefs in Eastern Choctawhatchee Bay.
* 4 SNORKELING reefs straddling the coastal sandbars.
* 9 FISH HABITAT & skin diving reefs located 1/2 - 1 mile offshore.
South Walton County is a unique community with deep commitment to family values and conservation of our surrounding environment. With tourism as the economic engine in Walton County; this is a rare opportunity for Walton County to realize a long-term goal of increasing environmental awareness and sustainability through ecotourism. Artificial reefs will create fish and oyster habitat. In an area where the Gulf bed is 95% barren sand flats, the reefs will also create near shore, family-oriented, recreational activities including human propelled fishing (standup paddleboards and kayaks), skin-diving, and snorkeling attractions. Educational objectives include increased biological awareness and marine research studies.
With seed money from the TDC and permitting agreement from the BCC, the South Walton Artificial Reef Association will begin the 18 month long permitting process with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Florida DEP to site and permit 18 artificial reef patches in Walton County coastal waters. The reef patches will have public GPS coordinates.
Please let the Walton County TDC and BCC hear your voice in support of this grass-roots organization's vision. The budget amendment vote is scheduled for May 14. Thank You for voicing your support for this noble initiative that benefits residents, visitors, and marine environment!
For additional understanding of the mission, visit www.mbara.org. The Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association's website. This fine group (founded in 1997) are kindly guiding and mentoring the efforts for Walton County.
Thank You for your support and understanding that "Anonymous" and duplicate signatures can not be counted.
Updates
May 7, 2013
We are currently meeting with local officials to demand more reef installations for our waters. Text three friends the link to this petition and tell them to call the county commissioners today.
May 7, 2013
We hit a major milestone and the momentum is clear. Post this link on your Facebook page today and email your local representative to demand these eighteen permitted reef sites now.
6 Comments
About time. Every other county has these and we are sitting on nothing. Get to work.
This would be so awesome for the gulf. Help the fish and help the local economy too.
My family loves to snorkel and we need more reef spots to see. Hope this happens soon.
Good for the environment and the local businesses win too. total no-brainer.
Finally some real action for our waters. We need this for the fishing and the diving here in Walton.
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South Walton Artificial Reef Association is a newly formed non-profit organization dedicated to constructing artificial reefs in the bay and gulf coastal waters of Walton County, Florida.
Andy McAlexander, founder, shares "The idea for the South Walton Artificial Reef Association came about after attending seminars regarding RESTORE Act and NRDA funds. I started thinking 'what can we do that will benefit our community and environment for generations to come?' I met Dr. Ron Childs, a founding member of MBARA (Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association) who inspired me to start researching artificial reefs around the state of Florida."
A study by the University of Florida shows that the 5 counties of the Northwest Florida region realize above-average benefit-to-cost ratio returns (131 to x) experienced by most coastal communities with nearby artificial reefs. Florida has 2700+ reefs. Of the 600+ artificial reefs in the NW Florida region... Walton County only has FOUR! Bay County has 220+ artificial reefs, Okaloosa County has 181+ artificial reefs, and Walton County has FOUR! The four existing artificial reefs are 3-7 miles offshore. SWARA's vision is for 18 permitted reef patch sites:
* 5 OYSTER BED RESTORATION reefs in Eastern Choctawhatchee Bay.
* 4 SNORKELING reefs straddling the coastal sandbars.
* 9 FISH HABITAT & skin diving reefs located 1/2 - 1 mile offshore.
South Walton County is a unique community with deep commitment to family values and conservation of our surrounding environment. With tourism as the economic engine in Walton County; this is a rare opportunity for Walton County to realize a long-term goal of increasing environmental awareness and sustainability through ecotourism. Artificial reefs will create fish and oyster habitat. In an area where the Gulf bed is 95% barren sand flats, the reefs will also create near shore, family-oriented, recreational activities including human propelled fishing (standup paddleboards and kayaks), skin-diving, and snorkeling attractions. Educational objectives include increased biological awareness and marine research studies.
With seed money from the TDC and permitting agreement from the BCC, the South Walton Artificial Reef Association will begin the 18 month long permitting process with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Florida DEP to site and permit 18 artificial reef patches in Walton County coastal waters. The reef patches will have public GPS coordinates.
Please let the Walton County TDC and BCC hear your voice in support of this grass-roots organization's vision. The budget amendment vote is scheduled for May 14. Thank You for voicing your support for this noble initiative that benefits residents, visitors, and marine environment!
For additional understanding of the mission, visit www.mbara.org. The Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association's website. This fine group (founded in 1997) are kindly guiding and mentoring the efforts for Walton County.
Thank You for your support and understanding that "Anonymous" and duplicate signatures can not be counted.
Updates
May 7, 2013
We are currently meeting with local officials to demand more reef installations for our waters. Text three friends the link to this petition and tell them to call the county commissioners today.
May 7, 2013
We hit a major milestone and the momentum is clear. Post this link on your Facebook page today and email your local representative to demand these eighteen permitted reef sites now.
6 Comments
Great idea. Walton county is way behind on this. Do it!
About time. Every other county has these and we are sitting on nothing. Get to work.
This would be so awesome for the gulf. Help the fish and help the local economy too.
My family loves to snorkel and we need more reef spots to see. Hope this happens soon.
Good for the environment and the local businesses win too. total no-brainer.
Finally some real action for our waters. We need this for the fishing and the diving here in Walton.
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Great idea. Walton county is way behind on this. Do it!