Tigertail Restoration Discussion Shifts into High Gear

The discussion about the erosion on Tigertail Beach and Tigertail Lagoon shifted into high gear on Friday, February 24, when concerned stakeholders met to explore solutions to the continued problem. They came together in the Collier County Commission Chambers with County Commissioner Rick LoCastro and county staff members to review the progress to date.

Commissioner LoCastro welcomed the participants and thanked them for their involvement in this long overdue project. Kayakers, fishermen, paddleboarders and bird watchers enjoy this area, which runs through the entrance to Tigertail Beach Park to the northern point of Sand Dollar Island, which is across from Hideaway Beach.

In 2017, the area had been seriously impacted by the over wash of sand resulting from Hurricane Irma. Since then, the area was further impacted by two additional storms in October and January. This has resulted in the loss of a great deal of Sand Dollar Island’s width, taking it from a width of approximately 45–70-foot to six feet or less. The total acreage of seagrass has been cut in half by the storms, impacting feeding locations for manatees. 

The restoration project will take Sand Dollar Island back to its pre-2017 conditions. This will eliminate the over washing that is occurring, which has caused the area near the Tigertail Lagoon entrance to close in and created a mud flat.

Approximately six acres of sand at the north end of the project will be removed, as it is closing off the entry into the area between Hideaway Beach and the north end of Sand Dollar. This area is enjoyed by boaters almost every weekend. 

Closing off the northern spit will send sand into the entrance of Collier Creek, Capri Pass, and the navigation channel into the Marco River. Collier Creek leads into Collier Bay, and eventually Smokehouse Bay, and connects approximately 35% of all boating traffic on Marco Island to the Gulf of Mexico. Over the last several years, the channel into the Marco River has also been eroding due to shifting sands.

Since 2001, Hideaway Beach residents have spent approximately $15,000,000 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. That became a necessity when the county stopped maintaining the area.

The work permits have passed the review by the State of Florida, and are now being reviewed by additional agencies, such as the Army Corp of Engineers and others.

Matthew Fleming, a Coastal Engineer from Humiston and Moore, advised those in attendance that they were looking for the best exchange of water through tidal cycles to ensure that the water quality is maintained.

A representative from the Audubon Society of the Western Everglades shared that the organization agrees with the conceptual plans to restore the water quality and vitality of the area. Concerns were raised, however, about removing six acres of sand at the north end of the project, which was viewed as a nesting habitat. Instead, seeking an additional source was suggested.

The Marco Island City Council and the Collier County Commissioners will meet in joint session on March 1st to discuss the Tigertail project and receive an update on the Caxambas Boat Ramp issues.