Governor James McGreevey
P.O. Box 001
State House, Trenton, NJ 086250001
Ref: Subway Cars to Reefs
Division of Fish and Wildlife
February 22, 2003
Governor McGreevey,
New Jersey needs the subway cars for the Artificial Reef Marine Habitat Program and I ask now, for your
office to formally call for DEP Commissioner Campbell to expedite this protracted, debated and overdue opportunity expanding
the opportunities to the residents of New Jersey.
Except for some scattered rocks, wrecks and natural outcroppings,
the only fish habitat in the vast New Jersey Shoreline is a sandy sea floor. Shipwrecks and artificial reefs provide the only
relief, and in total this covers less than half of one percent of the ocean bottom in state waters.
Use of the subway cars for building habitat for marine life has been considered for many years but officials
of New Jersey have stood by while other states have benefited by the introduction of cars to establish artificial reefs. In Delaware, the cars have become part of an underwater plan constituting an
essential reef off the Delaware coast. They are hopeful the reef system will boost the $458 million fishing commerce.
Delaware has used the New York subway cars cast off at these sites to join two sunken tugboats, a Navy
barge, more than 28,000 tons of concrete, 8,000 tons of used tires and 86 military vehicles - including tanks - for reef material
at eleven (11) sites off the coast. The otherwise featureless ocean floor, similar
to that in New Jersey, is now transformed and experts say, acts to attract marine life immediately.
Floatables, plastics, various petroleum products, lead, radioactive materials, antifouling paints, and
asbestos have all been identified as items of potential concern either by reef managers, the US Coast Guard, and US EPA."
3. However, other EPA Regions find these concerns minimal. The asbestos in these cars is solid and encapsulated thereby not posing a biological concern. Likewise, the cars offer a better alternative for our shallow near shore areas since the low profile cars
do not pose a navigational obstruction on the ocean floor, as would be the be case with larger submerged reef components such
as derelict ships.
Car concept supporters recognize the proven ability of the reefs to produce tons of barnacles, mussels,
crabs, shrimp, and other marine life that would otherwise die, and to attract and support structure-oriented fishes. In accepting the subway cars, New Jersey stands to augment recreational fishing and
other aquatic activities like SCUBA diving. This is a win-win situation for the
New Jersey residents and develops tourists income dollars at little cost to the
taxpayers.
There is only one logical conclusion to the use of subway cars for reefing material and that is, "What
are we waiting for?". Already proven suitable elsewhere, these cars are the opportunity
that the State must act on immediately. All of the unsubstantiated worry must
not stop us dead in our tracts. The State of New Jersey's obligation is to continue
moving forward, fast now than ever. We have delay to long and are now facing
a catch up formula to improve our fishing waters.
After objectively evaluating the merits of using subway cars as reef material there is only one logical
conclusion that can be reached. The subway cars are suitable and are a golden
opportunity, which should not be passed up, restricted or circumvent without public process.
We must not allow the unsubstantiated fears of a few from keeping us from moving forward as quickly as possible unencumbered.
Sincerely,
Jerry Donofrio Sr.
Chairman -
Boater Voter Coalition, Inc.
