COLLIER COUNTY: Over the past year, Collier County has finished several major beach renourishment projects. In order to fight future beach erosion, the county is embarking on the largest reef project ever in Collier County.

It's the talk of the town at Naples Beach.

"Is it going to save sand on the beach? Is that the idea?" said John McCarthy.

A barge is just 1000 feet away and not everyone is sure why it is there.

"I'm not sure," said Patti Reasner.

"We didn't know if they were harvesting those boulders or if they're dropping them off. We had to wait to figure out what they were doing," said Jerry Mesolella.

Crews are dropping boulders into the Gulf of Mexico to create a one-acre artificial reef. Divers position the rocks by hand.

"I think it's interesting to watch. It's another thing to watch at the beach. You get tired of people watching, you can watch the barge," said Mesolella.

The boulders are actually limestone rocks from a quarry in Golden Gate Estates. Once placed into the water, they mimic a real reef, giving a home to fish and other sea life.

"I think it's wonderful. I'm all for it. Anything to do with wildlife, I love," said Reasner.

The county will also create a recreation area so people can fish and snorkel.

"It's going to be a great opportunity for Collier County residents," said Gary McAlpin.

"If I had fins and a life jacket, yes I would go out there," said Mesolella.

Just about the only downside of the $1 million project is the eyesore of the barge itself.

"My first reaction was that it looked ugly," said McCarthy.

So far, crews have dropped 80 boulders and will place 1500 more on the ocean floor. County officials say the boulders will also help fight erosion and protect the environment.

"This is a great project. A great community project, environmental project, we look forward to the results," said McAlpin.

The project has been underway for 2 weeks, and is expected to wrap up at the end of April.

SOURCE:
http://www.nbc-2.com/articles/readarticle.asp?articleid=11485&z=3&p=