Councilors and Commissioners Exchange Ideas

Members of the Marco Island City Council and the Collier County Board of Commissioners met in a joint session to discuss two issues that have been of interest to both boards for the last 12 to 24 months. These two issues, concerning the Caxambas Boat Ramp and Tigertail Beach, require collaborative efforts in order to create successful long-term resolutions. 

Caxambas Boat Ramp

Issues concerning the Caxambas Boat Ramp, located at Marco Island’s south end, have flared up over the last year and a half. This is due to pressures arising from the significant increase in use, which is mostly commercial in nature. 

The increased use coincides with the closures of recreational areas north of Marco Island and on the east coast of Florida, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Since the pristine nature of the area has been discovered, the pressure on the already overloaded ramps and facilities throughout Collier County has grown. Unfortunately, with no substantial addition by the county during the last two decades to facilitate Gulf access, it is feared the problems will continue to grow, at Caxambas Boat Ramp and other county facilities.

The property that became the Caxambas Boat Ramp was deeded to the county in October 1983. The transfer was an exchange from Deltona Corporation as part of an overall arrangement with Ray Smela, who was preparing to develop Hideaway Beach as a gated community in lieu of the requirement for public beach access.

Since then, a number of Site Development Plans have been approved that require stormwater retention and appropriate parking, both with the State of Florida, and recently, with the City of Marco Island when the plans for the new Coast Guard Community Building were approved. Much of the area that was required for stormwater retention has been filled in and graveled for commercial parking.

The city has been assisting the county, as they would any other property owner, in order to resolve the outstanding issues and bring them into compliance. Work is also being done to resolve the parking issues before they spill out into the residential areas that abut the county-owned property. 

Commissioner Rick LoCastro is extremely pleased with the county implementing the use of a dockmaster to ensure an orderly flow of traffic and launchings at the facility, therefore enhancing safety at the ramp.

The county is also working on the issues of ramp availability and parking so that the facilities are accessible to the general public, which was a condition when the property was originally conveyed. 

The Caxambas Boat Ramp is not the only facility seeing increased use. Goodland Boat Ramp, the 951 Boat Ramp just off the island, Bayview Park in East Naples, Cocohatchee River Park, Delnor-Wiggins State Park, Landings Park, Mar-Good Harbor Park, Isles of Capri Paddlecraft Park and the Port of the Island Marina are other facilities in the county that are experiencing increased use.

The county is reviewing the possible acquisition of additional properties as it continues to grow and the pressure mounts for recreational outlets.

Tigertail Beach

Another matter discussed during the joint meeting was Tigertail Beach and its ongoing issues. Collaborative action is being undertaken by Hideaway Beach residents, who for 21 years have continued efforts to maintain a viable and stable shoreline for residents and the abutting Tigertail Beach Park, a valuable County Park System asset. 

Collier County recently invested $1 Million into the park to improve its internal infrastructure, which annually sees thousands of visitors who enjoy a multitude of experiences. Kayakers, fishermen, paddleboarders and bird watchers enjoy this area, which runs from the entrance of Tigertail Beach Park to the northern point of Sand Dollar Island across from Hideaway Beach.

Since 2001, the residents of Hideaway Beach have spent approximately $15 Million of their personal funds to keep the Tigertail Lagoon healthy. “This is property we do not own, but yes, a healthy tidal flow is a benefit to us and all residents of the county and the city,” said Erik Brechnitz, who was instrumental in establishing the Hideaway Beach Taxing District. The taxing district became a necessity when Collier County stopped maintaining the area.

The area leading into the Tigertail eco-system is in danger of being closed off from the continual over washing of Sand Dollar Island and the sand shifting toward the mangroves. This will eventually choke off the water flow and its natural flushing effect, destroying the eco-system.

Sand removal at the northern end of Sand Dollar Island is part of the total project. Should the end of Sand Dollar Island close, it could have a detrimental effect on other areas, sending sand into the entrance of Collier Creek and impacting a long-awaited project to keep that navigable channel open in Collier Bay, and eventually into Smokehouse Bay. This channel provides access to the Gulf of Mexico for approximately 35% of all Marco boat traffic. Shifting sands could seriously impact the channel into the Marco River, which has seen serious erosion over the last several years, damaging some larger craft.

Final permitting is in process and the two boards committed to continued dialogue about how they can assist each other on this and other future projects.