What would you do if one of your favorite surf spots was going to be ruined - forever? Would it make you more angry if the project not only ruined a world class wave, but also buried a federally protected reef system? And is it over the top that the buried reef happened to be an Essential Fish Habitat for grouper plus served as protection for juvenile sea turtles?

Well, that is what is happening in Brevard County. The government wants to spend $30 million to bury three acres of reef between Satellite and Indian Harbour Beaches, and then continue to spend $7 million every three years or so to keep it buried. Over 30 years, $150 million will be spent on this dredge and fill project for the purpose of protecting condos, private homes, and their seawalls - which created the problem in the first place. Breaks like RC's, Mark Realty, Paradise Park, Peg Legs, changed forever from a well formed reef break to a closed out, possibly dangerous shorepound.

We could ask that you read the ACOE report, but it is 280 pages, and the Appendix is over 1000 pages. The links are below. Or you can just read the attached letter that explains why this is a disastrous project, a waste of our taxpayer dollars, and a slap in the face to every surfer, every fisherman, and everyone who likes a natural beach, not one buried under almost 600,000 cubic yards of sand coming from a shoal two miles off the coast.

Oh wait, they are going to drop 4.8 acres of limestone and coquina rock 1000 feet offshore and claim that the juvenile fish and sea turtles will find it and survive the whole process (even though they don't think it will be put in before the dredging starts). Not to mention the birds that now feed off the near shore exposed reef. I guess they will learn to dive 16 feet underwater to catch all the sand fleas and ghost crabs that will 'migrate' to the new 'reef'.

Don't be fooled. Read the letter, and then DO something.. Now.. Click on this email address and submit your comments. You only have until Tuesday, March 10th. It is not too late.

Write to: brevard.mid-reach.comments@usace.army.mil
Subject - Brevard Mid Reach