Collier Storm Resilience Study

More opportunities to provide your input

While the “scoping” commenting period is over for the Collier County Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM) feasibility study, the study is far from over and there will be many more opportunities for public input. Thankfully, the Army Corps (Corps) promised they will listen to the public’s concerns and will accept input throughout the study process.

On June 21 and 22, 2023, the Corps provided an “array of alternatives” for a storm mitigation plan in Collier County, based on the stakeholder charrettes that took place in April. The Conservancy was very pleased to see that the massive surge barrier at Wiggins Pass was screened out of the study and that the Corps stated they are committed to prioritizing nature-based solutions. In subsequent meetings, other proposed gates and walls were removed from the study.

However, the study is far from over. The Conservancy is still concerned that environmentally destructive measures having serious consequences on our coastal environment and quality of life, could later be included in the study as potential solutions.

The Corps is in the process of modeling and evaluating proposed measures, so it is still too early to tell which measures will move forward to the “Tentatively Selected Plan” (TSP), to be presented to the Board of County Commissioners in April of 2024.

Well before the TSP is presented, more public meetings will be held. The CSRM Advisory Committee meetings are scheduled as needed. Please contact Chris Mason, Collier County’s Director of Community Planning and Resiliency, if you would like to be notified of the next meeting: Christopher.Mason@colliercountyfl.gov They are held at the Collier County Growth Management office, Room 609/610 at 2885 Horseshoe Dr. S, Naples, FL. 34104.

Also, the Army Corps and the County are hosting a public “Virtual Monthly Project Status” meeting on the last Wednesday of every month, starting at 3:30 pm. The first 15 minutes of the meeting are reserved for general status updates on the study, while the remaining 45 minutes are dedicated to answering public questions and hearing comments.

Click here to learn more about upcoming meetings.

We need your help

We need all hands on deck to help create a more sustainable storm resilience plan for Collier County and the entire Southwest Florida region.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is now seeking public input for their “Collier County Coastal Storm Risk Management,” (CSRM) feasibility study. The purpose of the study is to recommend a plan to reduce the county’s risk from storm surge and improve coastal resilience.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is urging all citizens to participate in this vitally important storm resilience planning process that will forever shape the future of Collier County’s coast.

The public has limited time and opportunities to urge Collier County and the Army Corps to ensure that our world-renowned coastal resources, tourism, and our local way of life are safeguarded.

June 2023 Collier CSRM Public Meeting Presentation 1

Army Corps presentation from June 2023

View Presentation

The Conservancy believes that the public should insist on a better plan for Collier County than what was offered by the 2020 CSRM. A storm surge plan must work in concert with nature, not against nature.

We believe it is possible to design a storm resilience plan with the goal of protecting life and property, as well as preserving some of the natural coastal resources, which are important for maintaining the many businesses and livelihoods that make up Collier County’s robust economy.

The Conservancy is encouraging property owners and businesses, recreational and commercial anglers, ecotourism outfits, hoteliers, restaurant owners, natural resource managers, and local scientists and engineers, among others, to attend the meetings and provide input.

Please TAKE ACTION by emailing the Army Corps with the elements that are most important to you in a storm resilience plan.

The future of Collier County depends on YOU!

HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE

Submit written comments

The Corps is accepting comments at any time during the study process. If you would like to provide comments regarding the proposed measures or any other comments on the study, please click on the link below.

Submit comment

Please participate in as many of these meetings as you can, and submit your written comments!

Army Corps’ CSRM website

Your voice is already helping! Read the latest article below for the most updated information.

Collier CSRM: New information coming & more public meetings scheduled

June 12, 2023

Conservancy supporters instrumental in getting the Army Corps’ CSRM study off to a great start

May 5, 2023

The Army Corps’ Coastal Storm Risk Management (CSRM) study is off to a great start

April 28, 2023

Take action

Nature-based solutions

Wildlife impacts

Additional materials

Take action

TAKE ACTION

Let Collier County and the Army Corps know that you strongly support nature-based solutions and natural and nature based features.

Nature-based solutions for coastal protection are strategies that use nature to protect us from wind, waves, storm surge, flooding, and erosion.

Examples of nature-based solutions include: Mangrove planting and restoration, oyster reef restoration, salt marsh restoration, and dune restoration.

Artificial reefs are examples of hybrid approaches that combine natural solutions with engineered solutions. Living shorelines, living breakwaters, and barrier islands are other examples that may use hybrid approaches for coastal protection.

Insist that the Multiple Line of Defense Strategy be a focus of the CSRM.

A Multiple Line of Defense Strategy (MLODS) is a multi-layered approach to coastal resilience, which includes a combination of several features to reduce coastal storm risk. MLDOS could often combine “gray” (hardened) and “green” (natural) infrastructure to improve resilience while providing habitats and maintaining a healthy coastal ecosystem.

Figure 1: Illustration of Multiple Lines of Defense Strategy provided by U.S. Army Corp of Engineers Headquarters.

Residents should insist that any selected plan be holistic and consider other aspects of flood risk.

Make sure plans do not exacerbate inland or seaward flooding, cause water quality impacts, or negatively affect surface/groundwater connectivity.

The previous plan focused on storm surge while not addressing other hydrologic issues, such as:

Inland flooding and rainwater/stormwater runoff impoundment due to the proposed walls and gates
Seaward flooding, storm surge stacking and wave displacement seaward of the walls and gates (flow around the gates)
Water quality impacts associated with stormwater impoundment and potential mass releases of polluted floodwater post-storm when gates are reopened
Impacts to surface/groundwater connectivity and potential saltwater intrusion

Insist that natural ecosystems are recognized for their ability to mitigate storm surge and wind damage and, thus, be included in project alternatives.

Insist that any storm risk plan for Collier County enhance Essential Fish Habitats, not degrade them.

Insist that any storm risk plan for Collier County enhances Essential Fish Habitats, not degrade them.

The 2020 plan anticipated unacceptable significant impacts to EFH and EFH-managed species, and their prey, including corals, red drum, shrimp, 31 reef fish, coastal migratory pelagic fish, and spiny lobster.

These impacts are unacceptable.

EFH are waters and substrate necessary to fish for spawning, breeding, feeding, or growth to maturity.

Insist that any selected plan must avoid any impacts to sea turtle and shorebird nesting or impacts to critical habitat.

Insist that any cost-benefit analyses for a storm risk plan include an economic impact study of the potential impacts to Collier County’s tourism and marine economies and fisheries.

Tourism, fisheries, and the marine industry are major sectors that contribute to our blue economy. Potential economic impacts to these sectors must be analyzed and made public, as part of the process for choosing from alternative plans.

Included in the analysis should be an assessment of economic impacts to kayak and boating tour businesses, sailboat excursions, sunset cruises, nature tours, boat rental companies, restaurants, hotels, and recreational and commercial fishing operations.

Support storm resilience plans that protect the aesthetics of our coast.

Collier County’s beaches are simply beautiful, which is why we live here. It’s one of the many reasons why so many tourists flock to our region and why part-time and yearlong residents are willing to spend millions of dollars for homes on or near the beaches and bays.

The massive concrete and metal storm surge structures and floodwalls proposed for Collier County’s coasts and inlets are disruptive and unsightly. Nature-based solutions are a far better visual and aesthetic alternative and, yet another reason for the public and the County to request working in collaboration with nature.

Encourage land acquisition to protect and preserve as many acres of wetlands, forests, parks, dunes, urban preserves, and open space as possible to reduce vulnerability of current and future generations from storm impacts.

Nature-based solutions

Nature-Based Solutions

Nature-based solutions for coastal protection are strategies that use natural systems to protect us from wind, waves, storm surge, flooding, and erosion.

Examples of nature-based solutions include: Mangrove preservation, planting and restoration, oyster reef restoration, salt marsh restoration, and dune restoration.

Artificial reefs are examples of hybrid approaches that combine natural solutions with engineered solutions.

Living shorelines, living breakwaters, and spoil islands are other examples that may use hybrid approaches for coastal protection.

Living shoreline

Living shorelines can protect coastal communities from storms and erosion. They consist of natural materials like marsh grasses and oyster shells that absorb waves and storm surges.

Living shorelines improve water quality, provide habitats for plant and animal species, and can be more cost-effective and visually appealing than traditional seawalls.

Living breakwater

Living breakwaters protect coastal communities from storm surges and erosion by dissipating wave energy. They provide habitats for marine species, improve water quality, and can be aesthetically pleasing and serve as outdoor classrooms for education.

Oyster reef

Oyster reefs protect coastal communities from erosion, improve water quality, create valuable habitats, and can be more cost-effective than traditional hard infrastructure. Additionally, oyster reefs can help coastal communities become more resilient to the impacts of climate change.

Detached breakwater

Detached breakwaters are offshore barriers made of natural materials that protect coastal communities from storm surges and erosion. They are effective at reducing wave energy and can also create valuable habitats for marine species.

Barrier islands

Barrier islands can be natural or manmade landforms that provide a buffer against storms and waves, and support important habitats for wildlife. They also provide opportunities for recreation and can support local economies. Additionally, barrier islands can help coastal communities become more resilient to the impacts of climate change.

Wildlife impacts

Impacts to wildlife

The 2020 plan proposes unacceptable impacts to the following nine federally endangered or threatened marine species and bird species including the giant manta ray, Gulf sturgeon, small tooth sawfish, green sea turtle, hawksbill sea turtle, Kemp’s ridley, leatherback sea turtle, and loggerhead sea turtle, the piping plover, red knot, and wood stork.

The 2020 plan also anticipated unacceptable significant impacts to EFH and EFH-managed species, and their prey, including corals, red drum, shrimp, 31 reef fish, coastal migratory pelagic fish, and spiny lobster.