Divers Begin Removing Artificial Tire Reef

[Dodge_Sniper]

Haha, bet it looks like a great idea now

Divers Begin Removing Artificial Tire Reef

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (AP) -- Divers began removing up to 2 million tires from the ocean floor off Florida's southeast coast.

The used tires were dumped there in the 1970s to create an artificial reef, a scheme that turned into an ecological disaster.

The idea was to create new marine habitat and alternate dive sites with what was touted as the world's largest artificial tire reef. The plan also served to dispose of tires that were clogging landfills.

But little sea life formed on the tires dumped about a mile offshore in 1972. Some of the bundles bound together with nylon and steel have broken loose and are scouring the ocean floor and washing up on beaches. Others are wedging up against the nearby natural reef, blocking coral growth and devastating marine life.

Army and Navy salvage divers began removing the tires today.

The entire operation is expected to run through 2010.

 

[GraceAbounds]

As far as good stewards of this earth go, we sure do suck.

 

[GuesSAngel]

yeah we do

 

[sundvlfn88]

I saw where they were putting in a ship to make a reef for fishlife.

 

[AUDRAA]

well Im sure they thought it was a good idea at the time :confused

 

[GraceAbounds]

well Im sure they thought it was a good idea at the time :confused

That's true. Hindsight is always 20/20.

I remember when they actually went to do this, I thought 'oh that sounds like a good idea', but also remember thinking how unsightly it must look.

Imagine looking at God's nature and seeing a pile of tires. It just doesn't fit.

 

[Homer]

As far as good stewards of this earth go, we sure do suck.

good stewards not, we're parasites on this world.

 

[GraceAbounds]

I believe the earth was made for us. So I do not view myself as a parasite. I understand where you are coming from though and you of course have a right to your own opinion.

Besides that fact that entropy is always increasing at a molecular level, we can still do things to give back to the earth and take care of it.