Reef Ball Foundation Photos and Project Description Database

Build A Reef Fund, Let's Help Ourselves

Fisherman's Reef

The Fisherman...Press Release July 23, 1997 The Fisherman Reef will boost angling and diving opportunities on the Long Island's South Shore.

In South Bay, Have Ball, Build Reef

Away With Reef Ball Into The Sea. Photo of Reef Balls being lifted by Helicopter! Three at a time!

Army Nomination for FY 1998 Secretary of Defense Environmental Security Award in Environmental Quality Individual Colonel Frank Intini New York Army National Guard Army Aviation Support Facility #1 Ronkonkoma, NY Environmental Quality: Individual: Colonel Frank Intini Page 1 of 3 http://www.artificialreefs.org/Articles/colonelfrankintini.htm 2/5/2007 UH-60 "Blackhawk" Helicopter Personnel Fish Habitat Improvements In coordination with the DEC Marine Division, the State Department of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, and other public and private sponsors, Colonel Intini developed a means for Facility pilots and crews to place an artificial reef in Long Island's Great South Bay. This reef would reestablish an endangered habitat for fish populations. The DEC Marine Division, unable to place the reef materials themselves, requested the Facility's assistance, providing the Facility with yet another sling-load training opportunity that would benefit the environment. Reef Balls in the Loading Area The artificial reef consists of 100 igloo-shaped concrete "reef balls," each weighing 1,500 pounds and having a pH comparable to seawater. Colonel Intini and his staff were directly involved in manufacturing the reef balls, ensuring proper reinforcement and construction for sling loading. After the DEC marked off the area for reef balls placement, Facility crews airlifted the balls to the site and released them to create the 100-yard reef. Colonel Intini directed each flight and saw that each reef ball was placed in its assigned location. He also coordinated directly with the US Coast Guard; Suffolk Environmental Quality: Individual: Colonel Frank Intini Page 2 of 3 http://www.artificialreefs.org/Articles/colonelfrankintini.htm 2/5/2007