HI20 Reef—a 160 acre site already home to a 120-foot sunken barge and hundreds of granite blocks—is set to be expanded with hundreds of tons of additional diverse materials, including reef pyramids, steel energy industry structures, low-level relief and concrete culverts. The HI20 reef site, 9 miles off Sabine Pass, is rapidly becoming one of the largest artificial reef projects on the upper Texas coast. Thanks to an impressive list of leading corporations, a massive array of materials is set to be deployed this week. Industry partners Sempra LNG, Chenier Energy, Golden Pass LNG, Motiva, Phillips 66, Shell Oil Company, Friends of Sabine Reef, Forterra Pipe and Precast, Bo-Mac Contractors, Eldridge Construction, and The CCA Music City Chapter, have partnered with Coastal Conservation Association Texas, Building Conservation Trust, and Texas Parks & Wildlife to make this major deployment possible.
“Massive nearshore habitat initiatives like HI20 show the scope of what can happen when grassroots anglers and conservationists come together in partnership with corporations, local and State Government, NGOs and other community leaders to make a real and lasting difference in our coastal waters,” said Mic Cowart, Sabine Pass Port Authority Manager. “I am proud to be a part of a project that creates marine habitat that will provide for angling opportunities for present and future generations of Texans. With the vast forest of energy structures that has dotted the Gulf of Mexico for decades slowly disappearing due to federal government regulations, artificial reefing initiatives take on an added importance. The Sabine area has lost more offshore marine habitat than any other along the Texas coast, making grassroots efforts such as the HI20 Reef even more vital for strong and dynamic marine resources. We cannot thank our local industry partners enough, for helping financially and providing ocean-going tugs and barges as well.”
“This project really has captured the excitement and imagination of the local community and beyond. It has been inspiring to be a part of the vital work being done through this unique partnership,” said Rocky Chase, chairman of CCA Texas’ Government Affairs Committee. “HI20 will undoubtedly have considerable benefits not just for the marine ecosystem and the anglers who enjoy it, but for the local economy as well.”
“The infusion of that much material is going to create an unparalleled reef ecosystem in an area that was largely devoid of any habitat just a few years ago,” said John Blaha, CCA Texas habitat program director. “We are proud to be part of the incredible partnership that has come together to enhance our marine resources and provide a world-class destination for anglers” said Will Ohmstede, past Chairman of CCA Texas.
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