County looks to shore up loss of state reef funding
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Pensacola News Journal
By Derek Pivnick
Pensacola News Journal
By Derek Pivnick
December 21, 2006
Escambia County's artificial-reef program could be heading for rough seas after losing a steady source of state funding.
"The loss of state funding essentially killed it," Escambia County Administrator George Touart said.
Touart said the county next year may look toward bed-tax revenue to help make up the state funding shortfall.
State lawmakers this year eliminated reefs from getting money from the Florida Boating Improvement Program, which is funded through boat-registration fees. Program funds still pay for boat ramps, removing derelict vessels and signs in waterways.
The loss of steady funding for artificial reefs has jeopardized a program that is building marine life habitat in the Gulf of Mexico and is a moneymaker for Escambia County.
A draw for divers and anglers alike, artificial reefs help fuel a multimillion-dollar industry. A 1998 study showed that fishing and diving associated with artificial reefs generated about $92 million annually in local economic impact.
Bed taxes are part of the impact. They are paid on hotel rooms, campgrounds and short-term condominium rentals, and help fund the Tourist Development Council. In Escambia, the tax revenue is up slightly -- nearly 2.2 percent -- from August 2005 to August 2006,
More than $4 million is generated from the bed tax annually. Bed-tax revenues have rebounded since taking a hit from the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons.
They could help keep Escambia's reef program alive.
"It's definitely a possible source of revenue," Touart said.
The county gets about $100,000 a year from the Boating Improvement Program. Only a portion of that went toward the reef program.
Grants and donations also help fund the program, said Robert Turpin, chief of the county's Marine Resources Division.
"We want to have a good reef program here," Turpin said.
Touart said the county also asked the Legislature for $300,000 to help sink the Interstate 10 bridge rubble as a reef.
Eilene Beard, co-owner of the Scuba Shack in downtown Pensacola, said the bridge rubble could exceed the Oriskany in the amount of reef material it provides.
Beard added that the Oriskany, a former aircraft carrier, has done a lot for tourism since it became a reef in May. It is a draw for some divers who normally wouldn't come to Pensacola, so bed taxes ought to support reefs, she said.
"They are coming here for Oriskany," she said. "It is the ticket."
Escambia County's artificial-reef program could be heading for rough seas after losing a steady source of state funding.
"The loss of state funding essentially killed it," Escambia County Administrator George Touart said.
Touart said the county next year may look toward bed-tax revenue to help make up the state funding shortfall.
State lawmakers this year eliminated reefs from getting money from the Florida Boating Improvement Program, which is funded through boat-registration fees. Program funds still pay for boat ramps, removing derelict vessels and signs in waterways.
The loss of steady funding for artificial reefs has jeopardized a program that is building marine life habitat in the Gulf of Mexico and is a moneymaker for Escambia County.
A draw for divers and anglers alike, artificial reefs help fuel a multimillion-dollar industry. A 1998 study showed that fishing and diving associated with artificial reefs generated about $92 million annually in local economic impact.
Bed taxes are part of the impact. They are paid on hotel rooms, campgrounds and short-term condominium rentals, and help fund the Tourist Development Council. In Escambia, the tax revenue is up slightly -- nearly 2.2 percent -- from August 2005 to August 2006,
More than $4 million is generated from the bed tax annually. Bed-tax revenues have rebounded since taking a hit from the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons.
They could help keep Escambia's reef program alive.
"It's definitely a possible source of revenue," Touart said.
The county gets about $100,000 a year from the Boating Improvement Program. Only a portion of that went toward the reef program.
Grants and donations also help fund the program, said Robert Turpin, chief of the county's Marine Resources Division.
"We want to have a good reef program here," Turpin said.
Touart said the county also asked the Legislature for $300,000 to help sink the Interstate 10 bridge rubble as a reef.
Eilene Beard, co-owner of the Scuba Shack in downtown Pensacola, said the bridge rubble could exceed the Oriskany in the amount of reef material it provides.
Beard added that the Oriskany, a former aircraft carrier, has done a lot for tourism since it became a reef in May. It is a draw for some divers who normally wouldn't come to Pensacola, so bed taxes ought to support reefs, she said.
"They are coming here for Oriskany," she said. "It is the ticket."
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www.artificial-reefs.blogspot.com
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