AB634 Becomes Law!!

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captainkevin

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A two-year effort by California Ships to Reefs (CSTR) to lay the ground work for artificial reefing projects in California was hailed as successful when Governor Schwarzenegger signed AB 634 into law July 15.

The bill, sponsored by Diane Harkey, R-Dana Point, protects state and local governments from liability associated with scuba diving, particularly on ship-based artificial reefs. Without this protection, government agencies would be reluctant to allow reefing in their jurisdictions.

“California Ships to Reefs is proud of its all volunteer organization, the Legislature and Governor for passing AB 634. The Governor’s signature comes at an historic time, the tenth anniversary of HMCS Yukon’s reefing in San Diego,” said Joel Geldin, Chairman and CEO of California Ships to Reefs. “Today, California has removed a major impediment to artificial reefing. We are enthusiastic about the new unlimited opportunities ahead to create a network of artificial reefs on the state’s coastline, improving ocean life and enhancing our recreational diving and fishing industries,” Geldin added.

The well organized lobbying campaign by CSTR helped propel the bill through the Legislature with remarkable bipartisan support. Dean Rewerts, Vice President of Reef Development of CSTR said, “We appreciate how the Legislature was able to reach across the aisle and pass AB 634 without a single no vote, working for the common good of California. California Ships to Reefs believes the entire state owes thanks to Assemblywoman Diane Harkey for her foresight in carrying AB 634, making it easier to create man-made reefing projects in California to the benefit of the state and the environment.”

Assemblywoman Harkey commented, “Fear of lawsuits has hampered efforts to expand recreational activities in many communities. I am pleased that Governor Schwarzenegger signed into law our legislation reducing liability for local and state governments while allowing for more recreational activities such as scuba diving, aiding coastal economies, the environment and the state of California."

California Ships to Reefs (California Ships to Reefs, Inc. - Home) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public benefit corporation whose mission is to create artificial reefs by sinking decommissioned military or retired commercial vessels near harbors, where they quickly become breeding grounds for new ocean life. The rejuvenated ocean environments attract divers, fishermen and other recreational opportunities, pumping additional income into local businesses.
 
That's good news! We're trying to get a similar law here in RI. We had the Russian sub used in making the K-19 movie here in RI as a museum. It sank at the dock (life imitates art) instead of cleaning and sinking it off shore it was sold for scrape. We missed the boat on that one. It would have made a unquine wreck dive!
 
That's great news! :)
That's good news! We're trying to get a similar law here in RI. We had the Russian sub used in making the K-19 movie here in RI as a museum. It sank at the dock (life imitates art) instead of cleaning and sinking it off shore it was sold for scrape. We missed the boat on that one. It would have made a unquine wreck dive!
Looks like we may have our own Soviet sub here soon
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 15, 2010
Soviet Era Submarine May Become Underwater Exhibit
The Soviet era submarine currently on exhibit at the Maritime Museum of San Diego
may gracefully end its years by becoming a man made ocean reef, according to an
agreement between the museum, the submarine’s owners and California Ships to Reefs
(CSTR).
The three parties agreed in principle Wednesday that when the B-39 Foxtrot Soviet era
submarine ends its stay at the museum, CSTR will oversee the process to sink the
submarine and use it to create a rich new ocean environment.

“We anticipate sinking the sub in San Diego’s wreck alley, where the
HMCS Yukon is
already a popular attraction and beautiful artificial reef,” said Joel Geldin, CSTR’sChairman and CEO.
“We are proud to announce this new agreement on the tenth anniversary of the sinking of the
Yukon, which has proven the economic and environmental value of man made reefs.”
Wreck alley is a popular diving area off Mission Beach where
the Yukon
and other wrecked ships are visited by thousands of people every year
 
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