At the Hideaway Beach Taxing District Meeting on October 17, 2024, Bruce Donaldson, a Marco resident spoke to the board members during the public comment section on a citizen initiative to connect the Clam Bay Canal to the Gulf of Mexico.
Clam Bay is between South Seas Tower Four and Tigertail Beach Lagoon. The proposal would cut across vacant county land set aside for this and the southern part of Tigertail Lagoon, thus allowing fresh Gulf water to flow freely into the lagoon and Marco's canals. According to Donaldson, this would reduce the need to constantly dredge and build berms to keep the Lagoon open from the north.
“The canal would help to address the water quality issues of canals in the northwest section of the island by doubling the amount of gulf water flushing these canals,” Donaldson said. “This free flowing of water will improve the aquatic life in the canals and Tigertail Lagoon. The benefits go far beyond water quality and include reduced congestion in canals leading to Collier Bay and Big Marco River as many watercraft will exit the island through this canal decreasing time in the canals and pollution from idling engines.”
Donaldson also said that “another plus to the project is that it will increase the value of houses and South Seas Condominiums by providing direct access to the Gulf, thus increasing the tax base for the city. It will improve recreational opportunities in the County's Tigertail Beach by providing a launch dock for non-motorized watercraft to access Clam Bay, Tigertail Lagoon, and the Gulf. The bottom line is this benefits the environment, wildlife, Collier County, City of Marco Island, its residents, and tourists.”
The idea is not new according to Donaldson. A government survey in the 1920s showed Clam Bay open to the Gulf. Maps from the Deltona Corporation in the 60s and 70s and the Collier County Planning Department depict the canal. This will require a concerted effort on the part of many agencies within the City, County, and perhaps State, but the results will be worth the effort.
Donaldson has presented this initiative to Councilman Blonna, District 1 Commissioner Rick LoCastro, and Brad Cornell, Policy Director of the Audubon of the Western Everglades. According to Donaldson, “all three expressed interest, with none saying they are opposed to it. Each felt additional footwork needed to be done in coordination with other groups.”
According to Donaldson, he has presented the initiative to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and also spoke with Mohamed Dabees of Humiston and Moore Engineers, who indicated to Donaldson that the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) may have a restriction on new outlets to the Gulf. The Clam Bay Canal is depicted in all the maps during the development of the Island by the Deltona Brothers. He is hoping to meet with USACE in the near future.
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