Haiti: Artificial Reefs - A solution

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Offshore Debris Disposal: a path to assistHaiti Earthquake Reconstruction

Creating Artificial Reefs usingClean Concrete Rubble and Debris A Concept Presented by: Date:

Camilien J.W. Saint-Cyr – USAID 28 July 2010Richard A. Benoit – USACE / Author

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The Concept

To deposit clean cement rubble created by the12 Jan 10 earthquake at a designated site(s)intending to create new marine life habitat; anartificial reef, in greater Port au Prince Harbor.

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For the past 17 years, the University of Florida has built & placed 26-miles of concrete artificial reefs in the Gulf of Mexico to study impact on grouper, a popular food fish.

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Why Artificial Reefs?

1. Assists earthquake recovery / reconstruction

by including an ocean-based rubble disposal option;

2. Does not require land to be taken from inventory;

3. It is environmentally friendly with positive impacts;

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Why Artificial Reefs?

4. Relieves pressure on damaged natural coral reefs;5. Assists and enhances local marine ecosystems;6. Has a positive local economic impact:

A. Fishing – Additional habitat, enhances stocks;B. Tourism – Develop diving / snorkeling industry.

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Fishing Communities ofPetit Goave and L’Arcahaie

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Where rubble is “Officially” disposed

Truitier, Truitier, TruitierAdvantages Disadvantages1. It’s Operational 1. Capacity unknown;

2. It’s Authorized 2. Not an engineered site;

3. It’s large (215 Hectares, 531 acres) 3. Distance from removal sites.

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Projected Capacityfor .5-square mile ocean disposal area

(.5 square mile equals 320 acres or about 160 soccer fields)

1 acre, one foot deep = 43,560 cf / 27 = 1,613.3 cy1,613 cy X 10 foot deep = 16,130 cy per acre

16,130 cy X 320 acres =

5,161,600 cubic yardsdebris 10 feet high

* Does not factor 15% void / settlement factor

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20 - 25,000,000 cubic yards of rubbleWhere is it going to go? … How is it going to be disposed of?

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Cost Estimates / ComparisonsLAND-BASED TOTAL 90 DAYS C&D DISPOSAL AND MITIGATION

ITEM COST379,242 CY X $73 per CY $27,684,666

OCEAN-BASED TOTAL 90 DAYS C & D DISPOSAL379,242 CY X $40 per CY $15,169,680

SAVINGS UTILIZING Artificial Reef option $12,514,986

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Location Survey Checklist1. Away from navigation channels;2. At a depth approximately 30 to 90 feet;3. Away from live corals (at least one mile);4. Away from areas where sedimentation will occur;5. In areas of enriched nutrient tidal flow and current;6. At a height approximately one-third the water column;7. On a flat, hard-packed or silt bottom away from active growth.

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Relieving Pressures on Natural Reefs

Source: World Resources Institute

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Success Stories1. Haiti - Coast of Arcadins, near Wahoo Beach

(Constructed in partnership among local fishing association, USAID / ASSET, UNDP)

2. Georgia – Off-shore Reef Network;(24 permitted sites, 3 to 55 miles off shore, two square mile sites)

3. NY - Dept of Environmental Conservation;(More than 300 reef sites, mostly made from rock, concrete, steel)

4. Cancun, Mexico – National Marine Park(Utilizes man-made concrete “Reef Balls” for Rehab and Remediation)

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A diver inspects an artificial reef made of about4,000 concrete blocks at Loch Linnhe, the Isle ofLismore, Scotland. At depths between 30 to 90 feet,it created by the Scottish Association for MarineScience to study man-made structures as habitat.

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The Way Ahead1. Engage GoH, UN, and Partners;2. Identify funding streams;3. Develop implementation strategy;4. Identify artificial reef site(s);5. Expedite site(s) evaluation and review process;6. Identify debris removal, processing & transport sites;

(i.e. Port au Prince, Leogane, L’Arcahaie);7. Begin program implementation (RFP, contract solicitation, etc.).