The purpose of creating an artificial reef is to benefit the environment by enhancing aquatic habitat and marine resources, as well as providing an option for conserving, managing, and developing fisheries resources. EPA chaired an interagency workgroup to develop best management practices to be used in the preparation of vessels for use as artificial reefs. This guidance document provides general clean-up performance goals and information on methods for achieving those goals. This guidance should be implemented for all permitted in-water uses of vessels; further vessel preparations may be needed based on the intended in-water use, (e.g., diver safety modifications if the vessel will also serve as a recreational dive attraction).

"May 2006" "This document was jointly developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Oceans and Coastal Protection Division within the Office of Water and the Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration..."--p.2. Includes bibliographical references.

Siting of artificial reefs -- Guidance for preparing vessels to create artificial reef habitat -- Oil and fuel -- Asbestos -- Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) -- Paint -- Solids debris/Floatables -- Other materials of environmental concern --Considerations for in-water uses of obsolete vessels -- Diving opportunities