Loading...
TR 83-3 .>,-0 V vf=' .. NATURAL RESOURCES OF COlliER COUNTY FlOR I DA ( , PART 3 A RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE COASTAL BARRIERS OF COlliER COUNTY, FLORIDA -rf'8~- ~ 1983 r.' ..::.- Research supported in part by the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation and the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, Administered by the Office of Coastal Zone Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ~ ...:.P"_.___,,-~.r -4 '-h~;~~.[: 7 TECHNICAL REPORTS - NATURAL RESOURCES OF COllIER COUNTY 83-1. BEACH MANAGEMENT PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES AT THE LOCAL LEVEL 83-2. THE BEACH IN COLLIER COUNTY: A MODEL IN SOUT~IEST FLORIDA 83-3. A RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE COASTAL BARRIERS OF COllIER COUNTY~ FLORIDA Technical Report No. 83-3 ( MARK A. BENEDICT PRINCIPAL AUTHOR MARK A. BENEDICT, PH.D. Director JUDSON W. HARVEY Coastal Zone Management Associate MAURA E. CURRAN Coastal Zone Management Technician (i) ENVIRONMENTAL SECTION COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIVISION ! ~ >- COLLIER COUNTY GOVERNMENT COMPLEX 330t TAMrAMr TRArL EAST NAPLES. FLORrOA 33942-4977 '''-1:~-~::r:.:'- PREFACE Overview Collier County's coastal zone. defined for administrative purposes as that area of the County on the Gulf side of U.S. 41 (the Tamiami Trail). encompasses 328 square miles of coastal barrier, bay. wetland. and maritime upland habitats. The coastal zone stretches 57 miles from the northwest to southeast and varies in width from 2 miles at the north county line. to 12 miles in the vicinity of Marco Island and 8 miles near the southern county border. Collier County's coastal zone. which makes up 16 percent of the County's total land area. is inhabited by 38.800 people (1980 census). 45 percent of the County's population. An addi- tional 29.300 people live within 5 miles east of U.S. 41. In total. 79 percent of the county's population is found within 10 miles of the Gulf of Mexico. j. . ( The County's coastal zone is characterized by both developed and undevel- oped areas. Of the 328 square miles in the coastal zone 67 square miles (21 percent) are developed. Of the remaining 261 square miles 123 square miles (37 percent) are undeveloped and preserved as Federal (Everglades National Park, Rookery Bay National Estuarine Sanctuary), State (Faka- hatchee Strand. Collier-Seminole. and Delnor-Wiggins State Parks and Barefoot Beach State Preserve), and County (Tigertail and Clam Pass Beach Parks) resource management and protec tion areas. The remaining 138 square miles (42 percent) are undeveloped and in private ownership. Unlike most of the rapidly developing counties in South Florida, Collier County is unique in that the great majority of its coastal zone is still in its natural state. Hundreds of thousands of acres of coastal barriers. wetlands, bays. and marine grassbeds are still relatively undisturbed. much as they have been for thousands of years. It is these areas that have made Collier County so aesthetically attrac~ive. If properly managed they will continue to function in this respect. \..- Of equal importance. however, are the natural resources of these undeveloped regions of the coastline areas which are ecologically vital to both the County and southwest Florida. The coastal barriers. if they remain unaltered. serve as a first line of defense against the sea. Storm surge damage, coastal flooding. and erosion of the mainland can be alleviated or slowed by a functioning. natural system of coastal barriers. The wetlands. shallow bays. and marine grassbeds are other important parts of the coastal ecosystem. The mangrove forests (those in Collier County being some of the largest, undisturbed systems in the United States and one of the best developed in the world) and associated marshes provide the organic materials and detritus that form the basis of the coastal food chain and support the abundant shellfish and finfish resources of southwest Florida. The unaltered coastal ecosystem not only functions as a haven for birds, fish. and other wildlife, but may also provide necessary refuge for those species that have been driven from adjacent. heavily altered or extirpated coastal systems. The undisturbed natural systems of Collier County form the keystone for the south Florida ecosystem. The coastal zone links the estuarine systems of Lee and Monroe County while the vast, unspoiled eastern area of the County connects the coastal and interior wetland systems with those of Dade and Broward Counties. .; -.------ .- Almost half of the unaltered coastal zone in Collier County is under the ownership and/or management of Federal. State. or Local agencies for the sole purpose of protecting the natural systems. Although this is gratifying. it is important to remember that the other half of the undisturbed coastal area is in private ownership. In addition, both the private and the managed coastal areas are bounded by uplands that are either developed or projected for future urban or agricultural dev- elopment. Activities undertaken in the private areas of the coastal zone or on adjacent upland property. if not properly planned. could result in the degradation of our remaining undisturbed coastal areas in only a few decades and the loss of their resources. In a recent position paper R. A. Livingston wrote that "if history is our guide. one basic problem lies in public acceptance of almost any level of environmental deterioration as long as it occurs gradually enough". To safeguard the coastal zone resources of Collier County from gradual deterioration and to ensure , . their continuing function as a vital part of the southwest Florida ecosystem. positive and direct steps must be taken. Predominant among these must be the implementation of a program to ensure that all future land use activities proposed for the coastal zone are designed to be totally compatible with. or at least not inimical to, the natural resources and the associated recreation values of the County's un- disturbed coastal areas. Collier County Coastal Zone Management Program ( The coastal zone is one of Collier County's major assets. Abundant natural resources. ample recreation opportunities. and popularity as a homesite for many seasonal and full time residents are factors of the coastal zone well recognized by the Board __of C_o~nty _Commissioners, the _ .. County staff. and many local- conservation and business groups. For these reasons the community as a whole has supported past and present coastal zone management activities in Collier County. With the support of the Board of County Commissioners and grants from the Office of Coastal Management. Florida Department of Environmental Regulation. and the Erosion Control Program. Florida Department of Natural Resources. the Collier County Natural Resources Management Department is developing a County Coastal Zone Management Program. A major goal of this program is the protection of the natural resources of Collier County's coastal barriers. bays. and wetlands and the management of coastal development in order to ensure that future land-use activities will not degrade these resources. The Program is a continuous. multi- year project involving. research, implementation. and environmental protection activities. Progress to date includes data incorporated into the following Technical Reports: { \~ Technical Reports 83-1. 83-2. 83-3 Beach Management Planning and Implementation Strategies at the Local Level The Beach in Collier County: A Model in Southwest Florida Drafts plans for beach and coastal barrier management in Collier County; describes maj or components and imple- mentation of Collier County Coastal Zone Management Pro- gram; identifies Collier A Resource Management Program for the Coastal Barriers of Collier County, Florida Technical Report 84-1 Natural Resources Management Plan Technical Reports 84-2. 84-3 Coastal Barrier Resources Coastal Estuarine Resources ( Technical Report 84-4. 84-5 Coastal Zone Management Units: Data Inventory and Analysis Coastal Zone Management Units: Atlas Technical Report 84-6 Draft Ordinances for Protection of Coastal Ecosystems f ".,- iii. County as a model for beach management in Florida; pro- vides background data on beach resources, dynamics. and past management activi- ties; Sets natural resource goals and policies for county and describes how they will be implemented; highlights coastal barriers, bays, and wetlands as areas of special management concern; delin- eates the currently undevel- oped portions of the coastal zone as a distinct land-use type requiring careful re- view prior to any land de- velopmental or alterational activities; Evaluates and analyzes the current resources and en- vironmental features of the county's coastal barriers and coastal estuarine areas; presents data on shoreline migration, beach and inlet dynamics. and estuarine eco- systems; describes man's presence in the coastal zone and his current and poten- tial impacts; Delineates the coastal zone of Collier County into dis- crete management units and beach segments; compiles site-specific data on re- sources and management for each unit; Reviews the existing codes and environmental ordinances for Collier County in com- parison to those from other Floridan counties; drafts model ordinances covering resource review. vegetation standards, coastal construc- tion activities, and perfor- mance bonds. Upcoming Program activities include: (1) The design and implementation of a development review procedure that closely ties the permitting of a land-use activity, proposed in or adjacent to the currently undeveloped regions of the coastal zone, to a specific ecological community, its resource values, and its limiting biological and physical factors. The procedure will be designed to ensure that only those activities compatible with habitat values and functions. or designed to minimize adverse impacts on those values, will be allowed (project funded by D.E.R. Office of Coastal Management); and (2) The continuation of dune restoration and protection activities at all County beach parks and access points. The latter project involves the removal of exotic plant species. the reconstruction and revegetation of dunes damaged by storm activity or visitor use, the construction of back dune feeder walkways and dune crossovers, and the placement of signs and low profile fences to maintain the restored dunes (project funded by the D.N.R. Erosion Control Program). The results of these and other projects conducted under the County Coastal Zone Management Program will be the subj ect of future Technical Reports prepared by the Natural Resources Management Dep- artment. Acknowledgements ( The Natural Resources Management Department thanks the staff of the D.E.R. Coastal Management Office and the D.N.R. Erosion Control Program for the assistance they have given in the development of the Collier County Coastal Zone Management Program. The Department also acknowledges the staff of other County agencies and Departments that have provided technical support to this Program. Special appreciation and gratitude is expressed to Diane Brubaker. Linda Greenfield. and Margaret Tinney of the Community Development Division, whose assistance materially aided in the preparation of these Technical Reports. l_ iv. ABSTRACT Coastal barriers have gained wide recognition for their value in storm protection, biomass productivity. biological diversity. and recreation. Intense shorefront development during the past twenty years has significantly altered these common coastal landforms and placed the lives and property of many coastal residents at stake. Resource management programs. based on local data. must be de- signed and implemented in order to preserve the natural and economic values of coastal barriers while allowing for the reason- able use of private property. With the support of the Board of County Commissioners and the Florida Office of CoAstal Management. Collier County's Environmental Section is in the process of developing a program for the management of the County's 39 miles of barrier coastline. The County's program, which follows a functional approach to resource management. consists of three components: 1) A Data Base which describes the coastal barrier resources and the processes which affect them; 2) A Resource Y~nagement Plan which identifies the management actions necessary to protect valued coastal zone resources; and 3) Implementation Projects designed to provide a legal basis for the program. to obtain additional data on the coastal barrier units, and to enhance those resources that have been degraded. INTRODUCTION Coastal barrier are a common landform occurring along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. As defined in the Coastal Barrier Resources Act of 1982. coastal barriers are depositional geologic features (such as bay barriers. tombolos. barrier spits. or barrier islands) that: 1. consist of unconsolidated sedimentary materials; 2. are subject to wave, tidal. and wind energies; and 3. protect landward aquatic habitats from direct wave attack. Furthermore. a coastal barrier is considered to include the depositional feature and the adjacent wetlands. estuaries, inlets, and nearshore waters. l 1. Over the last decade coastal barriers have gained wide recognition for their value as both a natural resource and a community re- source. Coastal barriers serve as the continent's first defense against storm waves and oceanic flooding. As a dynamic unit a coastal barrier of sand. vegetation. and shallow bays. offers storm protection to interior areas. A major storm striking communities upland of undisturbed coastal barriers would inflict fewer losses than in those communities perched on or behind a highly altered coastal barrier system. Coastal barriers also contributes to ecosystem productivity. The wetlands and shallow bays sheltered by these depositional fea- tures form the basis of the coastal food chain. Saltwater wet- lands, which include supratidal marshes. inteftidal mangrove forests. and subtidal marine grassbeds. are some of the most productive ecosystems in the world. The organic materials pro- duced by these plant communities constitute the first level of the estuarine and nearshore marine food chain. Without the sand beach and the upland back barrier zone, these productive areas could not exist along most of our coasts. ( Coastal barriers also contribute significantly to the biological diversity of the coastal zone. The sheltered, nutrient-rich habitats found across a coastal barrier provide a niche for many species of plants and animals. Coastal barriers are also a valuable resource for local commun- ities. They are the site of shorefront recreation activities including shelling. swimming. sunbathing. and birdwatching. The marine food chain. powered by their wetland productivity. is harvested by man. Their aesthetic appeal. which draws both tourists and new residents to the area. contributes to the econ- omic welfare of the local community. The coastal barriers of the U. S. Atlantic and Gulf coasts have been the site of intense land development. Construction too close to the shore has resulted in the loss of the protective and recreational value of many miles of sandy beaches. The conversion of wetlands to developed uplands has resulted in a reduction of coastal productivity and a decrease in fishery harvests. The destruction of coastal barrier habitats has reduced biological diversity in many sections of the coastal zone. In addition to the above impacts, the concentration of population on these low, coastal landforms has placed the life and property of residents in danger should a major coastal storm strike. ( ....., - 2. Over the past few years there has been an increased emphasis on the management of coastal barrier activities in order to protect. maintain, and restore resource values as well as to provide for the safety of residents. At the Federal level, the passage of the Coastal Barrier Resources Act of 1982 set the stage for reforms in coastal barrier management policies by prohibiting the use of Federal funds in the development of unaltered Atlantic and Gulf coast barriers. Following suit. many state governments are looking into ways to implement more restrictive barrier develop- ment codes that still permit a reasonable use of property. The State of Florida has developed guidelines for coastal construction and has encouraged counties and municipalities to adopt those as standards. . . Federal and state legislation is, however. not enough. Local governments must also take an active role in the protection and management of coastal barrier resources because they have the most to loose from poorly planned coastal barrier development. Only at the local level can community goals be set, and strict. site- specific management policies be made for the protection of barrier resources. BACKGROUND ( Collier County provides an excellent example of a local govern- ment's attempt to protect coastal barrier resources while allowing for a reasonable use of private property. Collier County did not escape the intense coastal barrier development that occurred along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the U.S. during the 1960's and the 1970' s. Coastal barriers in the vicinity of Naples and Marco Island have been significantly altered. Yet, of the 39 miles of coastline in Collier County sixty-one percent remains relatively undisturbed. The majority of these undeveloped coastal areas are under the jurisdiction of Collier County. The population of Collier County is increasing. The coastal zone's proximity to the County' s major recreational resources makes it the number one housing choice for new residents. Because of these factors. there is increasing pressure to develop those coastal barriers presently unaltered by coastal land use activities. Realizing the value of coastal barrier resources, and the lack of specific criteria to evaluate proposed coastal zone activities. the Environmental Section of the Collier County Community Devel- opment Division is in the process of developing a resource mCl~!'!&~:::_ _~.eE..t:.pr().&ram fortl:1~_ County: s coastal bar:!!~~.rs. The development of this program. underway for fourteen months, is being funded by the Collier County Board of County Commissioners and the-Coast~l { " 3. Management Ofhce of the Florida Department of", J!:nvironmental ~!g\i,'lQ~j,..2n. l'h~p-rogr~am is being prepared by the- Couo'tY-EnV1ron~ mentalist and research associates funded by the D. E. R. grant. COLLIER COUNTY COASTAL BARRIER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM The Coastal Barrier Program is the first phase of a CoU.EtY,_Co~g~l . ~ot1eHManagement Program that will ultima.tely coyer the . 'b.~Tr.:!-er is 18Ild s ~ estuaries, and sa1 twater we.J:.~~rips of Collier County's ~oasta1 zone. The Coas'ta1 Barrier Program involves a multi- face-ted approach to natural resource management. It recognizes the need for three different but interrelated components: the R~~~ Base. the Resource Management Plan. and _ III}Efementation (Figure 1). The pr:()gra~, d~signed to a<l~re~s' 'all,.J;SP.l~~~s. of .. C,o!Lstal_"~,.~a.EEier. ma1'l.8:gement !nc::oJ,Ji~1; CQ'.lnty. is h9,!~~:s.!.!.c; it ~yer:.s all coastal barrier zones. the~r_ f\l!):c:tions. a!1~,._,thepro- ces!;~_~,tha.t influence them. As such it is designed to provide firm standards for coastal barrier activities yet take into consideration site-specific data that could influence management decisions. DATA BASE ( The essential first step in any natural resource management program is the collection of resource information and the compil- ation of a data base upon which subsequent management decisions can be made. This approach is commonly used by the National Park Service in the management of their lands (Godfrey and Benedict, 1977). In Collier County the Coastal Barrier Data Base consists of three parts: the Resource Inventory. Historical Analyses. and Synthesis (Figure 2). Resource Inventory The Resource Inventory provides County-wide information on the current status of both natural and man-made coastal barrier features. Specifically the Resource Inventory provides data on the following: Geomorphology - Analysis of the geomorphic features of the coastline ana the classification of the County's coastal barriers by form; Physiographic Zonation - Analysis and identification of the physiographic zones that exist on the County's coastal barriers; l, _ 4.' COASTAL MANAGEMENT BARRIER PROGRAM ( - , , . WHAT M:ANS? WHOM? WHEN? lMPLEMENTATIQ ... HOW TO? WHY? RESOURCE MANAGEMENT .... HOW LONG? WHERE? WHAT? DATA BASE Figure I. Collier County C-o'astal Barrier Management Program f ,-- 5. DATA BASE HISTORICAL ANALYSES CLI MATO-HYDROGRAPHY LITTORAL DR 1FT SAND SUPPLY BEACH PROFilES 1973-1982 SHORELINE CHANGES TIDAL PASS DYNAMICS ( , RESOURCE INVENTORY GECMORPHOlOGY PHYSIOGRAPHIC ZeNATION BIOTA lAND USE STRUCTURE SURVEY BEACH ACCESS Figure 2. Data Base ( - 6. Biota Inventory of the diversity and distribution of vegetation and wildlife on the coastal barriers; Land Use - Delineation of the barrier coastline by ownership, and types of uses, such as commercial. residential, and public recreation; Structure Survey - Mapping of engineered structures such as seawalls. revetments. and groins; Beach Access - Location of beach access points and assessment of the recreation quality of the beaches in the vicinity. In summary, the Resource Inventory describes what' features occur along the barrier coastline and where they are found. Historical Analyses ( Information on existing coastal barrier resources. both natural and man-made. is not sufficient to make enlightened management decisions. An understanding of beach processes and changes in the coastal barriers is also necessary. The Historical Analyses provide information on these aspects of the Data Base. Specifi- cally. this section includes data on: Climato-Hydrography - Summary of the effect and importance of winds. waves, and tides in influencing the dynamics of Collier County's coastal barriers; Littoral Drift - Graphic representatior.. of littoral drift rates from Walton (1973) based on littoral transport theory, shipboard wave observations in the Naples area. and the effect of local barrier orientation on littoral transport rates; Sand Supply Calculation of sand volume changes in the nearshore area based on a comparison of Federal hydrographic surveys from 1885 and 1970; Beach Profiles 1973-1982 Resurveying of selected beach profiles originally prepared by DNR in 1973; Shoreline Changes Systematic measurement of shoreline position at 73 reference points using data from 1885 to 1981 to calculate cumulative shoreline changes, beach erosion rates. and rates of shoreline fluctuation in different parts of the County; l_ 7. Tidal Pass Dynamics - Mapping of sequential changes in the position of tidal passes and erosion or accretion of adjacent shorelines. In short, the Historical Analyses describe the history of the Collier coastline and the processes that control its features. Synthesis The synthesis of the Resource Inventory and the Historical Analyses permits the identification of discrete segments of the County's barrier coastline. These beach segments, which are delineated according to their resource features and their pre- dicted shoreline changes. are an important end-pr6duct of the Data Base as they apply to coastal barrier management. The technique of identifying and separating beach segments for management purposes has been applied previously by Pilkey et al. (1978) and Harvey (1982). Beach segment maps with site-specific information on beach/barrier characteristics, shoreline migration history. recreational value. and hazard potential emphasize the distinct nature of different portions of the Collier County coastline and the need to treat each separately in terms of management (Figure 3). ( The Resource Inventory and the Historical Analyses provide the coastal barrier manager with a powerful tool. The synthesis of these two components endows the Data Base with a predictive ability. Although nothing can be forecast with certainty. this is the best and perhaps the only way for the resource manager to look into the future while reviewing applications for present day activities. RESOURCE MANAG~lliNT PLAN The second component of the Coastal Barrier Program is the Re- source Management Plan. It relies on and builds from the Data Base yet is entirely different in scope. The approach of the Plan is holistic. It identifies the values and functions of the natural coastal barrier zones and evaluates the types and impacts of activities that occur there. Using permit standards selected to protect recognized barrier zone functions and resource values. the Resource Management Plan is designed to guide coastal barrier activities in order to minimize any adverse impact. The Resource Management Plnn is divided into five sections: Coastal Barrier Units. Barrier Zones. Barrier Activities. Land Use Matrix, and Permit Standards (Figure 4). r \" 8 . . RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN , -"... - LAND ~: USE MATRI ' ~' -.... .~.,!..~.~::~ .'~ ...~;~.. ;~(~l(:~~_:f.~ ~ Mri>o~~' a.odo 0- WaAe- Stnoctww PERMIT STANDARDS '-< --,._- ~.. ,. '-+~:" ~.~ --( . :;,;r. .,'.' ~-.:.. ...;. ....:: .,'.. ~ . '. .. . '. Figure 4. , .. ,..", . '-~-'~,-- '__ 10. .,,:,:&:~ ~1.., '~r-'" I. Coastal Barrier Units The barrier coastline of Collier County varies in geomorphology. shoreline dynamics. ownership. and land use. Although certain permit standards can and should be applied county-wide. differ- ences in coastal barrier status necessitates some variation in management policy. Rather than trying to create general standards applicable over a wide range of conditions it is best to tie them to recognizable management units. Nine such coastal barrier management units have been identified in Collier County. These units. separated from one another by tidal passes, represent discrete entities where coastal processes and ecological function are closely linked. The nine coastal barrier units are further subdivided according to land use and coastal dyna.mics into dis- tinct beach segments as identifed in the Data Base. Coastal Barrier Zones ( Resource value is closely tied to ecological characteristics. Any plan for the management and protection of coastal resources must therefore be based on existing ecological zones. Five distinct ecological zones are recognized for the coastal barriers of Collier County: the nearshore. active beach. dune/washover. stabilized back barrier. and wetland zones. Each zone possesses distinct ecological fe~tures and functions. yet all are inter- connected as parts of the Southwest Florida coastal barrier ecosystem. In order to function each zone must retain certain biological and physical features. Removal of these features destroys a zones function and degrades the associated resource value. Therefore. an essential role of the Coastal Barrier Resource Management Plan is to identify such resource values which need to be protec- ted through management. and to describe the minimal conditions needed to maintain these values. As an example, the value of a natural sand beach in storm protection is widely recognized. Beach profiles shift in response to wave energies, and so retain a dynamic balance between sand supply and sea level while dissi- pating the strength of wave attack. To function correctly a minimum. obstruction-free. active beach must be maintained so that these processes can occur naturally during storm periods. When artificial shoreline structures such as sea.walls or revet- ments intrude into this active zone an accelerated deepening of shorefront profile occurs. resulting in a loss of the open recre- ational beach. If storm protection and recreation are identified as resource values that need to be retained then the correct coastal barrier management actions must be employed to maintain c ll. minimum active beach features. Identifying resource values that need to be protected and describing the factors responsible for the maintenance of those values. is a primary goal of this part of the Resource Management Plan. Coastal Barrier Activities Once resource values are identified it then becomes necessary to classify all potential coastal barrier activities and to assess their impact on the ecological characteristics of barrier zones. A wide variety of activities can occur on coastal barriers. For convenience these are grouped as alteration. construction. deveg- etation. recreation. or restoration activities. Coastal barrier activities range from those with low or benefi~ial impacts to those that obliterate the function of a given zone and its re- source values. An understanding of the type and impact of all coastal barrier activities is necessary for an effective coastal barrier management program. Land Use Matrices ( Land use matrices are the most effective way to correlate resource value and the impact of various activities. A matrix is prepared for each of the coastal barrier activity categories. Each matrix identifies all types of activities in that category and then classifies them according to their probable impact on a specific zone and its resource values. In the land use matrix, low impact or beneficial activities are classified as compatible with the features of a given zone while adverse impact activities that degrade a zone are denoted as incompatible. Although a small number of coastal barrier activities fall clearly into one or the other of these two classes, the maj ority fall somewhere in be- tween. Consequently, such activities are classified as provi- sional because they can be undertaken if certain steps designed to minimize adverse impact are followed. Figure 5 schematically represents the land use matrix concept. Although it is an oversimplification it nevertheless demonstrates how seme types of activities can be incompatible in one zone (e.g. excavation for fill in the wetland zone) while provisiona1n compatible in another (e.g. excavation for water management in th~ back barrier zone). It is important to understand that the land use matrix is not designed to restrict the use of private property but rather to permit only those activities that are of low impact or that are designed to be compatible with recognized values in a given zone. 12. 0 !.!.~ i .. 0 0 0 0 ::I"" - ::I ,. 0 Q )( - ....:t CO \Q 00( CD ::I a.. a.. .u a.. 0 ~ ~ ex) 0:: W - 00:: we::: ~Cii ....J I -~ COu ~iii >< a.. a.. C- O U U 0 0:: - ~.. D: ~ t;: Ii 0... C- .u C- O. w:c - ~ Q) 2:u ( t3l5 <cco 1.1.I ~ w en - - C- o.. i ::) a.. a. .u C- o - ~ Q) Q z z Z 0 z C - 0 z 0 z t5 - 0 ~ - z ...I 0 - ~ 0 - ::> ~ ~ ~ a: w a: - ~ ~ ~ w 0 ~ 0: ~ Z Z () 0 0 w w <( () 0 a: a: N C Figure 5. 13. . ". t- z: ...... - =- V) w." ~ c.:s ...... V) ~ c::::: ~ ""ffi .... .x II) ,~ e; ~ ~ c: z: ...... 00 c: c: 0 en c::: ..... - .Q E c: .x == = .Q ~ - & .Q ~ ~ "- = +oJ .... l'O ~ - - +oJ II) II) ~ c.. l5 ,~ u Q) ~ .x ~ ...... 0 ~ - OJ ~ +oJ U 0 8 ~ z & &! )( +oJ CD (J) lI.J e ::::) Q) = 0::: c.. z o - ~ !.Iii Z W ( :IE w ....I a. :E - . , . . . . . . . . . ..... . . ..... :z: c:,.:) ..... . . = == z: == ..... c:c . . = c.::s ..... en c:c c.. . . ..... z: . = cz: . :e . . . . . . . . .. l Figure 6. 15. +oJ c:: u = .~ .0 +oJ +oJ ...... (J) U - b (J) :::J = ...... II) '"'0 "E "- =~ c: +oJ +oJ "- 0 ro (J) c:::: z u OJ c: CD II) -0 c:: &: .0 - , = c::: .~ .... c:: 0 0 -,== "- +oJ Q) 0- ro U ro u a ~ c: Q) +oJ & co II) E a:: U) :=~ +oJ Q) (J) (J) II) u ro - c: .... V) 3: 0.0 'c 'E .E ~ cn= +oJ l'O - E c: 'E .... 'C .... l'O .9:2 c::: =-0 (J) ~ ~ ~ - "- ro U) ~ 0 = c: 0 -0 +oJ c:...) La... U <( 0:: U) 4' Coastal Barrier Ordinance An ordinance is currently being developed for the protection and maintenance of coastal barrier resources in Collier County which sets forth new administrative procedures that relate the level of permitting effort to the potential impact of a proposed activity. The five major parts of this ordinance are: Findings of Fact - This section states the reasons that the ordinance is being prepared. It lays out in a logical sequence the natural resource and community values of Collier County's coastal barriers. It describes the adverse natural and economic impacts associated with poorly planned coastal barrier development and the statutory au~hority for the coastal barrier management program. Coastal Barrier District This section delineates the management area to be covered by this ordinance. It defines coastal barrier zones within the district and describes the way to identify zone boundaries. (' Administration - This section lays out the administration of the ordinance. It is designed to facilitate the coastal barrier permitting process by first referring the applicant to the Resource Management Plan in order to identify the coastal barrier zone to be affected by the activity. By using the appropriate land use mat rice the proposed activity is categorized as: Corr.patible no permit required. Previsional permit required from the County Environmentalist. Incompatible variance required from the Board of County Commissioners prior to commencement of the activity. This section also outlines the requirements for posting performance bonds and filing status reports. Review Standards - This section states the standards followed by the County Environmentalist during the review of permit applications for provisional activities. It follows the permitting standards identified in the resource management plan. l 16. r Storm Reconstruction - This section lists the procedures to be followed when reviewing applications for reconstruction following storm damage. It outlines types of damages and standards for permitting repairs. It also evaluates pro- posals for complete reconstruction based on established policies for underdeveloped beach segments. In summary. the Coastal Barrier Ordinance attempts to expedite coastal barrier permits by identifying activities that may receive administrative staff approval in the form of provisional permits and by letting the applicant know what is expected prior to such review. It also sets firm guidelines for coastal barrier activity review in order to guarantee consistent permitting decisions. -. .. Dune Restoration and Protection Project " The dunes of Collier County have been heavily affected by pedes- trian traffic. storm damage, I and invasion by Australian pine. Natural dunes, however. can still provide adequate storm protec- tion to structures set back from the beach. The Collier County Dune Project has two major objectives: (1) to undertake those activities necessary to restore and protect existing dune re- sources at all County beachfront parks; and (2) to encourage owners to undertake similar dune restoration and protection proj ec ts on private property. where feasible alternatives other than engineered shoreline protection structures exists. ( The first phase of the Collier County Dune Project is being funded by the D.N .R. Erosion Control Program. This program provides state funding for 7 5~~ of the proj ect. During this phase the following dune restoration and protection activities will be undertaken at Tigertail Beach Park on Marco Island and Pelican Bay North Beach Park in North Naples: Dune Restoration Activities - Three types of dune restoration activities will be undertaken at the County park sites: dune reconstruction, dune revegetation, and the removal or trim- ming of Australian pines. Dune reconstruction will be undertaken in those areas where heavy public use and storm damage have completely destroyed dune fields. Clean beach fill will be deposited and graded to natural dune profiles, and native dune vegetation will be planted. In other areas where vegetation cover has been reduced but not obliterated, dune revegetation will be undertaken using a variety of native dune plants. At locations where Australian pine has invaded the primary dune zone, all trees will be removed prior to dune work. In back dune areas these trees will be ( 17. ,. thinned or removed to allow natural revegetation by native species. Dune Protection Activities - In order to insure that dune restoration will succeed in County Parks heavily used by residents t dune protection activities must also be under- taken. The maj or dune protection activity will be the construction of elevated dune walkovers. Feeder walkways, fences, and signs will also be constructed where necessary to channel beach users across the dune area and onto the open beach. SUMMARY I · ( The coastal barrier system of Collier County is an important resource both in terms of natural and community values. To ensure the protection and maintenance of these resource values. a three- component Coastal Barrier Management Program is being developed. The program contains: (1) a Data Base that describes what re- sources exist. where they are found':"and what processes control their change; (2) a Resource Management Plan that delineates coastal barrier management units. identifies resource values to be protected, and sets policies and standards to achieve protection; and (3) Implementation projects that provide the legal basis for the Program. gathers additional information. and undertake actions to further enhance the coastal barrier resources. The Coastal Barrier Management Program is being undertaken to protect the entire coastal barrier system by insuring that only activities designed to minimize environmental impact are permit- ted. It is a dynamic program that can be amended as additional data are obtained. The primary goal of the program is to protect and maintain the resources of the coastal barrier system for their functional and recreation values because coastal barrier protec- tion is in the interest of all County citizens. It is hoped that with the aid of local co~~unity leaders and experts past mistakes in coastal barrier management can be avoided in the future. RESOURCE HANAGEMENT I \, 18. ~ REFERENCES 1. Godfrey. Paul J. and Benedict, M.A. 1977. Natural Resource Nanagement Plan for Cape Cod National Seashore - Phase I. National Park Service Coop. Res. Unit. University of Massachusetts. Amherst. U.M. N.P.S.C.R.U. Report Number 23. 2. Pilkey, D.H.. Jr., Neal, W.J., Pilkey. D.H., Sr. 1978. From Currituck to Calabash: Living with North Carolina's barrier islands. North Carolina Science and Technology Research Center. Research Triangle Park; N.C. 3. Harvey. J. 1982. An assessment of beach erosion and outline of management alternatives: Longboat Key, Florida. Contract report to the Toiwn of Longboat Key, FL. ( RESOURCE }~AGEMENT l '- 19.