Future Generations Deserve a Pristine Cayo Costa State Park
BALANCING RECREATION WITH PROPER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
SAVE CAYO COSTA'S goal is to see that the DEP/DRP adopts a series of responsible management practices that balance recreational use while protecting the natural resources of the south end of Cayo Costa State Park at "the narrows". Large commercial ferrys are best suited for the Pelican Bay north park facilities.
SAVE CAYO COSTA PROPOSES THESE RESPONSIBLE MANAGMENT GOALS
COMMERCIAL USE AT SOUTH DOCK SETS DANGEROUS PRECEDENT
What will Cayo Costa State Park's south beach and backwaters look like in 50 years if unchecked, uncapped commercial activities are allowed to continue? Concerned citizens, please join us to let the DEP/DRP know this sets a dangerous precedent!
WE PROPOSE THE FOLLOWING MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
- Discontinue all commercial activities at the south dock;
- Direct all commercial concessionaire landings to Pelican Bay park facilities where the infrastructure is designed for such groups and is ADA compliant;
- Utilize best management practices as described in STUART PLAN outlined below;
- Allow dispersed commercial landings Gulfside north of the narrows where the land is wider and more resilient to erosion;
- Limit all beach side commercial landings during bird/turtle nesting seasons;
- Return south dock access point for use by private boaters per former use, remove path markings
RESPONSIBLE MANAGEMENT WILL KEEP CAYO COSTA PRISTENE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
- Allow the seagrass beds, dune/sea oat systems and cross-island vegetation to recover from 5 years of commercial related boat and foot traffic damage;
- Decrease human impacts at a single access point at the narrows which will return traditional shorebird and turtle nesting patterns to pre-2016 conditions;
- Decrease human impacts on the primary and secondary dune line system which will reduce erosion and stabilize ecotonal areas;
- Increase private boater access which has been displaced for 5 years
- Decrease frequency of private property trespass and potential associated liability;
- Reduce exposure to the adjacent and vulnerable Faulkner Indian Mound Complex;
- Improve stakeholder relations and rebuild trust with local park user communities.
RESILIENCY distance decay RECReational management plan
STUART'S PLAN WELL RECEIVED BY DEP AT MARCH 2018 PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE CCSP UNIT MANAGEMENT PLAN
EXCERPTS FROM STUART'S PLAN
"The utilized recreational management assessment is based on an integrated, systems analytical approach that factors in Cayo Costa Island's geography, island morphology and coastal processes, ecology, habitat, and user activities. Referring to Figure Five, based on the island’s “drumstick” form, Boca Grande Pass and Captiva Pass Inlet systems, the island’s macro-geomorphic processes, and ecological systems, habitats and state park facilities and infrastructure, it is very clear that the north end of the island has the highest resilience to recreational uses and coastal processes."
" The analysis divides the island into three “Resiliency Zones”. The first zone is located in the island’s north end. It is the widest part of the island, ranging from 0.7 mi. to 1.7 mi. in width. It contains approximately 1,500 acres, equal to 2.3 square miles. The North Zone is characterized as having high recreational user resiliency because of it’s width that grants superior habitat resiliency in area and depth... The Middle Zone has average user resiliency when compared to the north island.... The South Zone has poor user resiliency when compared to the two afore referenced zones. This is due to geography, coastal morphology and processes. The South Zone is very narrow, being less than 1/10th of a mile to 3/10th’s of a mile wide." - Greg Stuart is an avid recreational visitor to Cayo Costa and resident of Matlacha. He has 38 years experience as a planning professional. CLICK BELOW TO READ THE ENTIRE PLAN.