Wanna go for a swim?
"New landmass in the middle of one of the busiest recreational rivers in the country....
massive hump in the waterway....
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Yeah, it's highway sand that is to blame.
Let's dive a little deeper, reader:
"Artificial reefs on rise, along with questions" July 24, 2011|By Juliet Eilperin, Washington Post
WASHINGTON -A Navy recycling program that turns outworn warships into habitats for marine life....
In the midst of an economic downturn, sinking naval vessels for artificial reefs aims to achieve multiple goals. It creates new ocean habitat and a tourist destination, while also ridding the Navy of outdated ships. Half of all US coastal states have created artificial reefs or plan to do so.
But some environmentalists, as well as federal and independent scientists, question whether the program provides ecological benefits....
Only a few studies have examined the impact on the ocean of artificial reefs. The Army Corps of Engineers must approve the projects, and the Environmental Protection Agency inspects each vessel before it is sunk and can provide advice on where to place it.
Yeah, good thing EPA is on the job.
Related: Slow Saturday Special: EPA and Exxon Unite
EPA also MIA on BP.
But state and federal officials are exploring issues such as whether traces of remaining toxic chemicals pose a hazard and whether the ships concentrate fish in areas where they’re more likely to be caught....
Some studies indicate that these human-made reefs may harm ocean species, even as they provide clear economic benefits....
And that can conveniently be blamed on global warming, 'er, climate change.
No one questions that artificial reefs attract many aquatic species, including open ocean fish such as mackerel and amberjack and some sharks.
Maryland, New Jersey, and Delaware all sunk New York City subway cars off their coasts several years ago. Tinsman said the cars have lured species ranging from black sea bass to triggerfish.
“It’s undeniable, there must be a reason it’s attracting them,’’ he said, noting that the number of annual fishing trips to one subway car site rose from 300 to 17,000. “That’s the kind of impact something like that can have.’’
But some scientists worry that anglers may be catching and consuming fish that have absorbed contaminants leaching from decommissioned vessels.
Hey, next to the oil-soaked seafood from the Gulf and the irradiated catch coming from the Pacific you won't even notice. Good thing we have a nice river to catch fish 'round h're.
These ships have carcinogenic polychlorinated biphenyls, as well as oil, asbestos and other pollutants.
Who cares if the water is poisonous? It sure looks pretty.
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