Taylor County Artificial Reef Program Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, August 02, 2005 - 6:30PM
Key Speaker: Bill Horn (email Bill Horn), Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Artificial Reef Program
Welcome, Introduction & Background:
• Snacks & Drinks; County Funding Increase Notice; Open Application Policy (Not just a dive team, but an artificial reef program that welcomes all citizens)
Attendance:
Billy Pillow
Benji Tutten
Jr. Proenza
G.W. Pridgeon
Krystle Pridgeon
Jim Hollis
Michael Calhoun
Lonnie Houck
Sonny Parker
plus Justin Sapp, Clay Olson and Bill Horn
Presentation: Overview & basic requirements of a successful County Artificial Reef Program by Bill Horn (View Presentation HERE)
Q & A and Overview of Taylor County Reef Program Needs:
Needs:
1. Reef Site Selection
a. Re-permit existing site (Steinhatchee and Buckeye Reefs): given priority due to limited time until FWC funding cycle begins (March 2006)
b. Seek out new site (review criteria): postponed until re-permit complete
i. Funding incentive: Florida Rock Sponsorship, Community/Recreational/Habitat advantage
2. Reef Site Permitting
a. Specific Requirements: easier for re-permit (Army Corps of Engineers supplies permit: they value side-scan sonar very highly! Justin is working with Bill Lindberg for use of equipment.
b. Recruitment of outside scientific surveyors: not necessary for re-permit
i. OAR? Others??
c. Equipment Needs: Underwater Camera (arriving September '05), Side-scan sonar (desired)
3. Reef Site Funding
a. FWC funding amount, application due date, & forecast (Bill Horn): 25–60,000, March 2006 deadline (permit must be complete and administered by ACOE)
b. Other Funding Sources (Meeting participants, Bill Horn)
c. Inter-County Cooperation (Wakulla, Dixie, etc…): contact!!
4. Reef Site Materials/Transportation/Storage/Deployment
a. General Permit ($100) vs. Standard Permit ($500, but more liberal definition of allowable materials)
i. Distinction: irrelevant as a re-permit requires the general permit (strict qualification of allowable materials)
b. Sub-committee for “materials acquisition,” & “materials transportation & storage”
c. Dixie County Mold: Bill Horn noted it is likely unusable due to age and wear
5. PLAN OF ACTION
a. Group discussion: “Reverse engineer” a list of requirements for re-permit from successful re-permit application. As of September 20, 2005, no "re-permit application" has been found; Program is reliant upon original permits and the use of side-scan sonar. Next meeting scheduled when equipment arrives.