TTMB Reef Enhancement Project

Manpower source 52+ members of the TTMB fishing club will donate their time boats and equipment to construct, deploy, and monitor these reef balls.
Funding source No public funds will be required to implement the project. 100% of the funds needed to see this project through completion will come from the TTMB members, corporate donations, and fund raising events. The mold for the reef balls will be purchased immediately upon receipt of a permit to do this work. Funds are currently in place for the purchase of the reef ball mold. Donations of land to construct the reef balls on is secured. Funds for the materials to construct the 1000 reef balls is also secured.
Location of existing fish haven Eastern Marker Lat. 29 09.202 Long. 095 07.282 Western Marker Lat. 29 09.114 Long 095 07.319 Note: These coordinates were taken on 6-17-2000 and are approximately 10 feet from the actual pilings. Due to the weather conditions, 10 feet was as close as could safely be approached.
Navigational considerations Since the fish haven is already clearly marked on commonly available charts, as well as being marked by two 10’ pilings, it is well known to local mariners. The site is .88 nautical miles from the nearest marked channel (ICW). The existing bottom depth is 6.5 feet, and would be reduced to 5.0 feet in the enhanced area. If it is determined by the USCG that a buoy is required, the buoy would be deployed prior to the start of the enhancement. A minimum depth of 5' was observed on 6-17-2000 from channel marker 13 (Lat. 29 09.491 Long. 095 02.238) running a course of 105 degrees out to the fish haven and 285 degrees back to marker 13. Access would be available to vessels into the 30'-35' class, as well as most smaller recreational type vessels.
Effect on commercial interests No commercial interests are anticipated to be affected by either the enhancement of the existing artificial reef or the deployment of the reef balls. This area is currently well marked, and not utilized by the local trawl fleet. The deployment(s) would be scheduled on Saturdays, and would occur from private recreational vessels of the type normally used in the area for fishing and recreation.		(one of the boats that will be involved)
Environmental considerations Reef Balls are EPA approved for habitat enhancement . (See EPA Publication EPA842-F-00-005S, reprinted at http://www.reefball.com/charharb/epa.htm). . All reef balls will be manufactured under the strict guidelines of Reefball Inc. Stabilized cement is the primary component of reef balls. Area building supply stores will be asked to donate any broken or opened bags of cement mix to recycle this into useful habitat.
Project need considerations The current fish haven is badly silted over after 15+ years of existence. The initially achieved environmental benefits of the fish haven artificial reef will be completely lost if some type of restoration or enhancement project is not undertaken soon. Restoration of the original artificial reef is not an economically feasible or environmentally preferable alternative to enhancement. Enhancing this habitat, using modern technology will provide habitat for oysters, fish, shell fish, and various other types of marine life. The images below are a reef ball before deployment and one year afterwards.
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TTMB’s proposed enhancement of the fish haven artificial reef through the use of reef ball technology will provide a direct and quantifiable environmental benefit to the West Galveston Bay Area, while requiring no outlay of public funds. The project will have no negative impacts on navigation or applicable commercial interests. TTMB looks forward to your positive review of this project, and certainly welcomes any comments or suggestions which may help us to reach our project goals.