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Okaloosa County intends to sink the SS United States, aiming for an April timeline, to create the world's largest artificial reef. Environmentalists warn that the ship's zinc chromate coating poses a serious risk, potentially leaching toxins into the Gulf of Mexico and affecting local fisheries.

The project is under review by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, with preservationists arguing for the ship's preservation, citing its historical significance. Zinc chromate has been classified as a carcinogen, raising concerns about the environmental impact of submerging the vessel, which has been docked in Mobile, Alabama, for remediation. The county's budget for the project is $10.1 million, but full remediation could exceed $50 million.