Source: The Honolulu Advertiser
June 27, 2009

The Navy said high surf conditions have forced it to suspend efforts to restabilize a coral reef damaged by the grounding of the USS Port Royal in February.

The Navy had already reattached nearly 5,400 coral colonies and removed 250 cubic yards of rubble at a cost of more than $7 million, according to a joint news release by the commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

However, high surf stalled the effort for 17 days, costing more than $600,000, and the Navy decided to halt the project. The Navy said it had covered nearly the entire affected area.

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