Supervisor Ed Wehrheim spent Thursday morning in good company, aboard a DEC Charter boat with Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul, Legislator Rob Trotta, NY State DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos and members of the DEC team. On Thursday, July 19th, the group set sail from the Kings Park Bluff to view the Smithtown artificial reef expansion as it was being deployed. The artificial reef is constructed using decontaminated or “clean” recycled material from New York State Department of Transportation (DOT) projects and two decommissioned Canal Corp. vessels. The Smithtown Reef is a part of the largest expansion of New York’s network of artificial reefs in state history.
“I am so excited to be a part of this historic initiative. Growing up fishing with my dad right here in Kings Park, I can not help but feel a little nostalgic. Knowing that in just a few days this reef will already be home to a variety of species from blackfish and black sea bass to crustaceans and mollusks is exciting for our ecosystems and local fishermen and divers. This will bring a welcome boom to our economy and attract visitors to our downtown businesses… It’s a win win.” – Supervisor Ed Wehrheim
Orchestrated by Governor Andrew Cuomo, the expansion is intended to improve existing marine habitats, promote biodiversity and environmental sustainability, all while boosting the local recreational, sport fishing and diving industries. The Smithtown Reef is one of 12 artificial reef sites in the State, managed by the DEC Marine Artificial Reef Program. All of the recycled material has been inspected and decontaminated, stripped of hazardous substances from asbestos and petroleum to paints and other probable human carcinogens.