Conley Publishing - Special Sections
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/984038
14 • May 22, 2018 • DISCOVER PORT WASHINGTON Shoppes of Port 30+ Shops 123 Franklin St Mon-Thurs 10am-5:30pm Fri 10am-8pm Sat 10am-5:30pm Sun 10:30am-4pm L L OOK OOK FOR FOR THE THE BLUE BLUE A A WNING WNING Postcards, Prints & Home Décor Handmade Jewelry, Geodes, Rocks & Minerals Unique Gift Items even stuff for Pets Antiques & Sports Memorabilia Fireworks Popcorn & Specialty Foods U N D E R N E W O W N E R S H I P ! • ...And Much, Much More! • Complementary Hot Breakfast • Pool, Whirlpool & Fitness Center • Free High-Speed Wireless Internet • Onsite Pub & Grill, Arcade, Lending Library... SEAPA – WHAT THEY DO – Provide public access to Lake Michigan on the established Breakwater Project. Create multi-level depths of artificial reef development areas in Lake Michigan within four miles of Port Washington shoreline. Accommodate education and research projects for invasive species and improving the aquatic environments. Establish education and safety training areas for Fire, Police, and Public Safety Dive Teams. T he Shipwreck Education and Preservation Alliance (SEAPA) is committed to creating economic development opportunities for the City of Port Washington, advancing public schools' art programs, and educating the public on aquatic environments. WHAT'S BEING PLANNED: Plans are to have the high schools in Ozaukee County create concrete and metal sculptures that are designed to help improve the aquatic habitat in Lake Michigan. The sculptures will be placed in Lake Michigan in different areas to create six multi-level artificial reefs. These artificial reefs will be located approximately 6-25ft depth & 50-300ft off the breakwater wall (avoiding the site of the Shipwreck Toledo.) Different size gravel and rocks will be added to create a spawning habitat for aquatic life. Then to help support the young fingerlings, that are released yearly, foliage will be planted for a food source. New sculptures will be added annually. Sculptures, rocks, gravel, and foliage will also be added around Eric's Reef and Jim's Ridge-which are two natural underwater landmarks located north and south of Port Washington, within two miles from the port entrance. On the north side of the breakwater wall, in approximately 25-50 feet of water, several different sized automobiles will be placed to create a medium structural artificial reef, that will be used for a training and education area for Police, Fire, and Public Safety Dive Teams. Spawning habitat and foliage will also be added here. In approximately 50-70 feet of water, a 41 foot long Wooden fishing vessel shell, (similar to the Linda E) will be submerged to create an artificial reef for larger aquatic species to use as habitat. Sculptures, spawning habitat and foliage will also be added around the vessel. The final location of an artificial reef will be approximately 2 miles east of the Port Washington harbor opening in approximately 110-130 feet. A professional company, Artificial Reef International (ARI), has been hired to find a ship that's approximately 200-600 ft long, which will be used as a super sized structured artificial reef. ARI has been creating artificial reefs for over 30 years, and will follow all the EPA standards in preparing the ship before they submerge it. With a ship of this magnitude, it will help protect aquatic species, such as the Lake Trout and Yellow Perch, by having a super size habitat to thrive in. With an artificial reef of this size, it will help the historic preservation of shipwrecks off the shores of Port Washington, such as the Northerner that is located at 130ft, by relieving the diving pressure on them. For more information on the Shipwreck Education and Preservation Alliance please visit their website: shipwreckeducationandpreservationalliance.com Shipwreck Education and Preservation Alliance