County Materials donations bring economic, environmental benefits to Florida community

Thousands of tons of donated waste concrete products from County Materials Corporation’s Astatula, FL plant are literally taking on a second life as artificially constructed ocean reefs in Volusia County, Florida, 70 miles away. The artificial reefs attract all manner of marine species, including shrimp, crabs, and fish, to previously barren areas of ocean floor, all within an easy boat ride from shore.

Volusia County’s artificial reef program began in 2010, and has already resulted in measureable economic benefits. Recreational fishermen, boaters, and divers appreciate the accessibility of the artificial reefs,   which are built in permitted locations at depths of 60-85 feet, five to fifteen miles from shore.  According to the University of Florida Extension, artificial reefs return $138 over their lifetime for every $1 spent on construction. Nearly 112 reefs have been constructed to date, with more being planned for the next five years.

County Materials became involved in the project in 2011, and has since become one of the major sources of material for the reefs, donating over 4,000 tons of scrap concrete culverts in the summer of 2013 alone. “Concrete culverts are primo reef material because they are hollow tubes that already create a cave,” comments Joe Nolin, Volusia County’s Coastal Director. “Fish gravitate towards overhanging ledges for protection, and the culverts provide shelter of different sizes for different types of fish.” Only clean concrete products, free of asphalt and other contaminants, is accepted for the program.

While the county covers the cost of transporting the material, scheduling can sometimes be a challenge, says County Materials Southern Regional Manager Jack Brown. “We’re shipping 55 truckloads daily to our own customers, and three to five per day to the reef project. It all has to be coordinated. It takes a lot of cooperation to get this off the ground.”

The artificial reef program represents a win-win-win solution for industry, community, and the environment. “Most (of the concrete) would (otherwise) be scrap, which can sometimes be an environmental concern,” explains Brown. “You can’t just bury it in the ground, and its’ expensive to grind it up, remove the rebar, and use it as fill.” Instead, County Materials donates the concrete free of charge.

Other environmental benefits of the artificial reef include reducing the amount of fuel boaters must use to access good fishing areas, and reducing the fishing pressure from natural reefs located further from shore. “We’ve stepped up the habitat of offshore Volusia incredibly,” says Nolin. “We have 60 acres of habitat where there was none whatsoever, and we’re spawning valuable species like king mackerel, swordfish, and snapper. It just thrives.”