Save Miami’s Iconic South Beach Wave

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Save Miami’s Iconic South Beach Wave

Miami-Dade County has issued a permit for a 94’ x 26’ concrete artificial reef to be deployed near the South Beach surf area. Surfrider Miami has appealed the permit because no appropriate modeling has been done to ensure that it will not cause harm to the quality or size of the waves.

Please take action to contact the County Environmental Quality Control Board, the board hearing our appeal, to express your concern about the permitting process and the value of this surf break to you.

We are calling on the Board to amend the permit and include appropriate conditions and restrictions to ensure our home break is protected. Use this form to lend your voice to this cause and send an email today.

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The Miami Surf community is made up of hundreds of passionate locals who gather during winter months to enjoy one of Florida’s most unique surf breaks. We are a community of business people, educators, activists, students and taxpayers who all care deeply about the natural resources located in Miami-Dade County and protecting them.

I am immediately concerned about the effects the “Reefline” project (Modification No. 2 Class I Permit 2011-CLI-PER-00185) could have on our home surf break and the direct impacts the project will have on the topography of the substrate south of fifth street in Miami Beach.

While we are all advocates for healthy coral ecosystems and understand the importance of ecotourism as a more sustainable model for tourism, the “Reefline” project has the potential to impact a priceless local treasure.

The permitting process has failed to include any measures to protect the iconic South Beach surf break, such as independent modeling to analyze the project’s impacts to the sea floor, sand movement, and impacts to the region’s waves. I find this unacceptable and urge you to amend the permit to include appropriate conditions to ensure adverse environmental consequences including harm to the waves are avoided.

Surfrider Miami has appealed the permit and is asking that the permit be denied, or at a minimum: (1) the Reefline structures be required to be north of 4th Street, and (2) appropriate modeling be conducted by an independent expert before the project can be implemented to ensure that no negative impact on the wave quality or size is predicted. If modeling demonstrates adverse impacts to the waves, the project must be located north of 5th street, out of the currently permitted area. I strongly support this.

Requiring appropriate numerical/computational modeling by an independent expert will
provide a reasonable assurance that the concrete artificial reef will not negatively impact the surf break.

Thank You!

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