Waterways Committee Looking at Recommendations

City of Marco Island staff and council sought to identify the source of potential contaminants in Marco waterways in order to create an action plan, following a report, prompted by the urging of a former councilor, declared waters to be “impaired.” 

Council subsequently contracted with Environmental Research and Design (ERD) to help identify those potential sources of contaminates. Late in the summer of 2021, Dr. Harry Harper submitted a lengthy study detailing his company’s findings regarding nutrient source evaluation.

In the fall of 2021, the city manager divided the report and delegated specific areas to certain advisory boards and city departments. They were tasked with creating reports on the specific areas identified by ERD and the practicality of the methods needed to address the issues.

David Crain, chairman of the committee, presented a list of the specific areas that the city manager had requested input on at a special called meeting of the committee on January 13. This allowed committee members adequate time to formulate suggestions before their regularly scheduled meeting on January 20. They included  the following:

• Residential Stormwater Management, such as a requirement for rain gardens.

• Plans to install denitrification beds adjacent to seawalls, this would stop seepage into waterways.

• Evaluate alternative methods for reuse water disposal which do not increase loadings of nutrient rich waters into canals.

• Educational signage for retailers regarding seasonal bans on fertilizer usage.

• Recommendations for more public education regarding individual responsibilities in regard to the issues surrounding water pollution.

• Thoughts on the establishment of a Storm Water Utility and a dedicated funding source.

• Water quality monitoring and an evaluation of present process.

• Potential contract with qualified water quality consultant  to conduct annual reviews of data and trends to provide guidance on implementation of water quality improvement projects.

At the January 13 workshop, former City Councilor Howard Reed made a presentation on the impact of waters surrounding Marco Island and their condition. Testing, which was done by Dr. Harper’s company, showed impairment in the waters surrounding the island, which may be a result of some of the higher numbers internally as the canals flush in and out the tides.

“As long as we have waters with problems in the Gulf of Mexico from issues north of us (Lake Okeechobee), we will never  be free of these issues,” said Reed, who created a demonstration of his hypothesis for the committee. While on council, Reed was a strong proponent for testing offshore and in surrounding areas. 

The committee will meet on Thursday, January 20 to continue their discussion to develop recommendations for the city staff, and eventually, the city council. Meetings are in council chambers beginning at 9 AM and are open to the public.