Artificial Reef - Tire Removal Project

The Pinellas County Solid Waste department is issuing this Request for Proposal (RFP) to contract services to remove approximately 3,300 tires from five (5) artificial reef areas off the coast of Pinellas County. Tire removal areas include the Clearwater Artificial Reef area measuring approximately 320 acres in total, The Rube Allyn Reef Area measuring approximately 220 acres in total, the St. Pete Beach Artificial Reef area measuring approximately 60 acres in total, the Treasure Island Artificial Reef area measuring approximately 85 acres in total, and the Madeira Beach Artificial Reef area measuring approximately 85 acres in total. Recovered tires and other marine debris are to be transported and unloaded into County provided containers at the Artificial Reef Program Staging area located within the Pinellas County Sand Key Park 1060 Gulf Blvd. Clearwater, FL.

It is estimated that thousands of tires were strategically placed into the surrounding gulf waters throughout the 1960s, 70s, and 80s as part of a larger effort to create artificial reefs, improve fish habitat, and manage the supply of used tires.

In the decades since their placement, many tires have come untethered due to saltwater corrosion of the stainless-steel strapping that held them together followed by tropical storms, and hurricanes. Now mobile, the tires have the potential to cause considerable damage to nearby hardbottom, seagrass, and other natural habitats in the area. In addition, the placement of the tires in prior decades has since been determined to be unsuitable for marine life, in most cases due to the instability.

A successful proposal would clearly address the following:

• A project team that is experienced and qualified to manage a marine salvage type operation,
• A strategy for removing the tires from the ocean bottom while minimizing impacts to the surrounding habitats,
• An organized approach ensuring that the entire identified acreage is cleaned of tires and other marine debris,
• A plan that prioritizes overall safety,
• A plan that proposes the use of appropriately sized and well-maintained equipment ensuring safe and efficient tire recovery.