Reefense Program, Baker Point

Finding of No Significant Impact and Final Environmental Assessment for DARPA's Reefense Program, Baker Point, Florida

DARPA announces a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) and Final Environmental Assessment for the Reefense Program at Baker Point, Florida. The proposed action covers installation of bio-hybrid oyster reef structures, reef module breakwaters, mosaic oyster habitat structures, and intertidal vegetation planting on approximately one acre adjacent to Tyndall Air Force Base within the East Bay of the St. Andrew Bay estuary. The EA found no significant impacts to any analyzed resource, so no EIS will be prepared. Two public comments were received and addressed in the Final EA.

Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Assessment for DARPA's Reefense Program, Baker Point, Florida

DARPA has released a Draft Environmental Assessment for the Reefense Program at Baker Point, Florida, a research initiative to deploy bio-hybrid reef structures that attenuate coastal wave energy and protect DoD and coastal infrastructure. The proposed action involves two-phase deployment of reef module breakwaters, mosaic oyster habitat structures, and intertidal vegetation planting. Two alternatives are analyzed: the proposed deployment and No Action. The 30-day public comment period runs from May 6 to June 5, 2024, with comments accepted via a Rutgers University project website.