MEDIA ADVISORY -- Maryland Artificial Reef Initiative Creates 3rd Deep Water Reef For Chesapeake Bay Fish Habitat

WHAT:	The Maryland Artificial Reef Initiative celebrates expansion of habitat enhancement work as the Honeywell Barge deposits over 1,000 tons of Woodrow Wilson Bridge concrete to develop the deep water artificial reef site, Cedar Point Fish Haven in the Chesapeake Bay, at the mouth of the Patuxent River. Boats will allow members of the media to see the reef site and material deployment up close, and observe a post deployment side scan sonar survey by the Maryland Geological Survey.
WHEN:	Thursday, August 23rd at 9:30 a.m.
WHERE:	Stoney’s Kingfisher Restaurant 14442 Main Street, Solomons Island, MD (Calvert County)
WHO:	The Maryland Artificial Reef Initiative (MARI) Partners, including: Coastal Conservation Association Maryland Chesapeake Bay Foundation Honeywell Maryland Charter Boat Association Maryland Legislative Sportsmen’s Foundation & Caucus Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen’s Association Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project

BACKGROUND:

Vibrant marine communities, such as oyster reefs and underwater grass beds, are critical to supporting diverse species of fish that were once prolific in the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland's Atlantic coast. Today, however, this type of habitat is sadly a mere shadow of its historical scope. Placement of concrete sections from the old Woodrow Wilson Bridge will create deep water artificial reefs that provide excellent habitat for benthic organisms and fish. The project will improve habitat in the Chesapeake Bay, as well as benefit fishing.

More than 30 partnering entities including the Coastal Conservation Association of Maryland, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Honeywell, Inc., Mitchell-Petersen Foundation, Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project, Shell Oil, and British Petroleum, as well as conservation organizations, businesses, foundations, outdoor recreational organizations, and countless individuals that have provided resources to make this program possible.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 449,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov