A Gulf Side reef design change from straight concrete pilings to piling mounted eco system reefs
will result in lowering estimated cost from approximately $330,000 from $400K to $70K.

Attendees at the July 29th Marine Sanctuary Committee Meeting agreed that it was great change. Especially in light of the reported durability of the same reefs mounted along the Alabama coast line during recent storms. Reefs located in the surf zone there withstood recent storms better than some concrete pilings that snapped. They also provide more surface area and their discs can be adjusted in height after deployment if so desired. Escambia county was also impressed with the option and is changing the design of their gulf side reef planned for the Portofino area.

Speaking of permitting –

Target dates for the permit application package and submittal to the county for official application with FL DEP and US Army Corp of Engineers are as follows:

Package to Marine Sanctuary Committee – August 7th
Package published on website – August 14th
Public Comment Meeting – August 25th
Package w/summary comments & committee recommendation to Santa Rosa BOCC – Sept 1st