1992-319 CZM Section II (7.11)
7.11 CAXAKBAS PASS
7.11.1 SIGNIFICANCE TO NATURAL SYSTEMS
7.11.1.1 Introduction
Caxambas Pass is bound by Marco Island to the north, and Kice
Island to the south (Figure 7.11-1). It drains several shallow
natural waterbodies including Caxambas Bay, Barfield Bay, Grassy
Bay, Little Grassy Bay, Blue Hill Creek, and Blue Hill Bay. It
also drains the man-made residential canals of Marco Island, and
the altered waterbodies of Roberts Bay and Smokehouse Creek.
The pass itself is not marked, although it is a commonly used
navigation channel. Several markers exist to the east, in
Caxambas Bay, to mark shoal areas. The waters of the southern
half of the pass, and all waters of its drainage basin outside of
Marco Island, are within the Rookery Bay Aquatic Preserve
boundaries, and are designated as Class II, and as outstanding
Florida Waters of the State.
The pass and inland waters in this area are heavily used by West
Indian manatees for feeding and resting activities. For this
reason, as well as for boater safety purposes, Roberts Bay,
Smokehouse Creek, and the canals of Marco Island, have been
designated as idle speed zones. The northern half of Caxambas Bay
from Red Marker "4", east and north to the northeast corner of
David Key, has also been designated as an idle speed zone.
Markers designating this area as such will be installed in the
near future.
7.11.1.2 BioDhvsical Features
Caxambas Pass is partially stabilized along its northern
shoreline by hard, man-made structures such as vertical seawalls
and riprap revetments. Its southern boundary is left in its
natural state, and consists of several shoals and undeveloped
mangrove islands. The entrance to the pass contains an extensive
ebb tidal delta which is subject to continual change.
The extreme southwestern tip of Marco Island is the site of the
Point Marco PUD. It was previously used by the U.S. Government as
a missile tracking station in the 1950's and 1960's. In 1952, an
approximately 2,200' seawall was constructed about 50' landward
of the MEW line. This structure sped up erosional processes along
the shoreline of Caxambas Pass. Prior to the installation of the
seawall, the shoreline was relatively stable due to seasonal wave
patterns. In the summer months, the dominant wave direction was
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from the southwest, causing a northerly movement of sand from
Kice Island and the ebb tidal shoals at the mouth of the pass to
the mainland beach. In the winter, sand was eroded from the Marco
beaches to the inlet shoals and Kice Island by wave action from
the northwest (Harvey et al., 1984).
After construction of the seawall, waves would reach the wall
during storm events, speeding up erosional processes. The strong
tidal currents of Caxambas Pass then continued to scour sand from
the toe of the seawall, resulting in potential failure and
collapse of the wall. Erosion of the beach to the north of the
seawall was also accelerated due to the presence of this
structure (Larsen, 1981).
The historic, well-developed ebb tidal delta shifted in response
to changing geomorphological conditions caused by the seawall
structure. The shift was to the south, between 1952 and 1962, fed
by the eroding beach from south Marco Island. Between 1962 and
1969, the connection of the ebb tidal delta to south Marco Island
was breached, facilitating further southeastward migration of the
delta toward Kice Island. Between 1951 and 1981, over 400' of
erosion occurred on south Marco Island (Figure 7.11-2).
In 1979, the Deltona Corporation, which then owned the property,
installed a riprap revetment waterward of the seawall to prevent
collapse of the structure. In 1980, the property was sold by
Deltona to Antaramian Development corporation, and became the
site for the approximately 30 acre Point Marco PUD. The PUD
includes a residential apartment complex, docking and
recreational facilities, restaurants, and other support
facilities. It is presently under construction. stipulations in
Ordinance 90-42, amending Ordinance 81-25: Point Marco Planned
unit Development, include sea turtle and beach/dune protection
measures. Dock facilities are limited to boats 30' in length, and
are not permitted for overnight use, or for fuel sales. A 20'
segment of shoreline at the north end of the property has been
dedicated for public beach access. There will be no structures
waterward of the 1974 Coastal Setback line except for shade
structures and beach walkovers pursuant to approval by Collier
County and the FDNR.
Because of the severe erosion that has taken place waterward of
the seawall compound and along the beach to the north, Collier
County applied for State and federal beach nourishment permits.
The beach nourishment project is combined with two other projects
along the Marco Island shoreline (see "Section 7.10: Big Marco
Pass". The area to be nourished is located 580' north of DNR
reference monument R-143 to 880' south of DNR reference monument
R-148, and is 6,330' long. The post-nourished shoreline will be
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located up to 405' seaward of the present MHW line. The average
dune width will be 70', with an elevation of 10', NGVD.
Approximately 560,000 cubic yards of fill are proposed for the
south beach. The borrow area for the fill is located just south
of the south tip of Marco Island, in the ebb tidal delta for
Caxambas Pass.
This ebb tidal delta is within the Caxambas critical wildlife
Area, as designated by the FGFWFC.
"Emergent shoals in both Big Marco Pass and Caxambas Pass
serve as important resting, feeding, and nesting areas
for shorebirds...The Caxambas Pass Critical Wildlife Area
is the major roosting shorebird site in the 10,000
Islands area, which has been rated as one of the top ten
shorebird sites east of the Recky Mountains by the
International Shorebird Survey...there is a clear
potential for future environmental damage on a large
scale from this project due to the length of the permit
and the sensitive nature of the emergent shoal areas in
both passes and the bay systems on the interior of the
passes" (FDER, 1989b).
The FDER permit specifies that construction will be limited to
the period between October 1 and March 31 in any given year, to
avoid disturbance to least tern populations on the emergent
shoals, and to sea turtle nesting and hatching activities
occurring on the beaches. To prevent disturbance of the
over-wintering bird populations at both Big Marco and Caxambas
Passes, which are within critical wildlife Areas, the dredge
pipeline is to be routed around emergent shoals and all
construction equipment is supposed to avoid emergent shoals. To
confirm that removing sand from the borrow areas and the
construction of breakwaters and terminal groins is not having an
adverse affect on the emergent shoals within the CWAs, the
dimensions and locations of the shoals are to be monitored on a
yearly basis, with remedial action to be taken as necessary. Work
is to be done by hydraulic dredge and pipeline to keep turbidity
levels as low as possible, and daily turbidity monitoring reports
during all renourishment activities are required. Future
renourishment activities will not be approved if initial
turbidity levels violate State standards. The borrow areas can be
dredged no deeper than -18' NGVD, to avoid the creation of
unnaturally deep pits.
Manatee awareness conditions are included in the permits, with
the permittee (Collier County Government) or the contractor being
held responsible for any manatee harmed, harassed, or killed as a
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result of project activities. Permit conditions dealing with
manatee protection include the installation and maintenance of at
least one manatee sign within the project area, the cessation of
all construction activities in open water upon a manatee sighting
within 100 yards of the project area, and requiring the
contractor to keep a log detailing manatee sightings, collisions,
or injuries to manatees during the contract period.
Sea turtle nests and false crawls were monitored daily from May 5
to August 31, 1990, as a requirement of the permit. Thirty-eight
false crawls and 35 nests were found along the Marco Island
shoreline during this period. The number of nests and false
crawls in this area created prior to May 5 were not recorded. A
total of 31 nests and 20 false crawls were found within the
proposed renourishment areas, including 5 nests and 5 false
crawls along the north beach, 2 nests and 6 false crawls along
the central beach, and 24 nests and 9 false crawls along the
south beach (Endangered Species Research Foundation, 1990).
Two terminal groins and a breakwater system are proposed for the
south end of the fill area. The terminal groins are presently in
place. The seaward end of the southernmost terminal groin is up
to 229' seaward of the present MHW line, and the seaward end of
the more northern groin is located up to 109' seaward of MHW. The
breakwater system will consist of three breakwaters of about
equal dimensions, each approximately 10' wide at the crest to 74'
wide at the base, by 462' long, oriented parallel to the shore.
These structures are a cause of concern to FDNR permitting staff:
"The groins have a potential for resulting in adverse
impact to downdrift areas to the south if the fill
project is not maintained...The breakwater construction
has the potential of causing an adverse impact to
Caxambas Pass and the downdrift beaches of Kice Island.
The potential impact of the breakwaters is not fully
understood. The staff is concerned with the possible lack
of need and justification for the breakwater system.
Therefore, construction of the breakwater system is to be
delayed to adequately monitor the performance of the
project and demonstrate the need for the breakwaters."
(FDNR, 1990d).
Kice Island is owned by the State of Florida, since it was deeded
over by the Deltona Corporation as mitigation for the development
of Marco Island in 1972. It is part of what is known as the 'Cape
Romano Complex', a group of barrier beach units which also
include Morgan and cape Romano Islands. This complex is the
southern terminus of the Collier County coastal barrier system.
Management for this complex is under the Federal Coastal Barrier
Resources Act.
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Kice Island is approximately 2.4 miles long, with about 11% of
the land mass dominated by native coastal strand grasses and
shrubs, and 89% dominated by mangrove forest with grasses and
succulent herbs as understory vegetation. Its shoreline has
eroded steadily by approximately 400' since 1885 (Collier County
Environmental Resources Management Department, 1989). Formation
and erosion of sand bars in the vicinity of the shoreline is an
ongoing, dynamic process. Recently, an approximately 4,000' sand
bar joined the Kice Island beach to form a tombolo.
Morgan Island also has a history of erosion and sand
redistribution since 1885. The trend of erosion and landward
migration along the northern half of the island resulted in a
recession of approximately 150' since 1927. The shoreline of the
southern half of Morgan Island fluctuated 300' landward and 200'
seaward during cyclic formation and destruction of an accreting
sand spit. Tidal passes periodically opened, migrated, and closed
on Morgan Island throughout the past hundred years. Presently,
Blind Pass and a tidal opening to Morgan Bay are open, but these
are transient connections to the Gulf. Morgan Island is about 2.1
miles long with 40% of the land mass dominated by native coastal
strand grasses and shrubs, and 60% dominated by coastal strand
exotic species, notably Australian pine (Collier County
Environmental Resources Management Department, 1989).
The majority of the land mass of Cape Romano is owned by the
state. The shoreline of the southern apex accreted seaward 700'
from 1927 to 1952, then eroded 800' from 1952-1981. The shoreline
is relatively stable farther to the northeast. cape Romano is
approximately 2.3 miles long, with about 45% of the land mass
dominated by native coastal strand grasses and shrubs, and 55%
dominated by mangrove forest with an understory of grasses and
succulent herbs (Collier County Environmental Resources
Management Department, 1989).
7.11.1.3 Drainaqe Basin Characteristics
The drainage basin of Caxambas Pass is bound by S.R. 92 to the
north, and overlaps with the drainage area of Coon Key Pass to
the east. Kice Island and Helen Key are effectively the southern
limits of the drainage basin. These undeveloped islands open up
to the south and east into Gullivan Bay. Land masses within the
drainage basin include Marco Island south of S.R. 92, the western
section of the Goodland area, Horrs Island, Helen Key, Kice
Island, and several smaller islands such as Currys Island,
Dickmans Island, Fred Key, Pass Key, David Key, Pig Key, Alpha
Key, and Beta Key.
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Substantial submerged seagrass beds are found around the shoals
in Caxambas Bay and Barfield Bay. Much of the seagrass beds show
scarring caused by boat propellers. Besides direct damage to
seagrasses, which are slow to recuperate, propeller scarring
causes a disruption in sediment stability, further degrading the
integrity of the habitat. Viable seagrass areas are essential
habitat for many protected and commercially valuable species,
including the West Indian manatee, pink shrimp, mullet, snook,
and others (see "Section 5.7: Seagrass Meadows").
The major development area of the drainage basin is the southern
end of Marco Island. Substantial dredging and filling of wetlands
took place in the 1960's and 1970's as part of the Roberts Bay
segment of the Deltona Corporation's development plan. John
Stevens Creek and the northern Barfield Bay segment of the Marco
Shores PUD are being constructed. Much of the fringing mangrove
forest, which forms an approximately 200' wide zone along the
shoreline of Bluehill Bay and tidal channels, is being preserved.
There is virtually no other development within the drainage
basin. However, Deltona does plan to develop Horrs Island as part
of the Marco Shores PUD in the near future. The Goodland Marina,
also an element in the Marco Shores PUD, is presently under
construction (see "Section 7.10: Big Marco/Capri Pass Complex"
for a more detailed discussion of the Deltona Settlement
Agreement). West Barfield Bay, a preserve area, is dominated by a
100'-150' wide fringe of mangrove forest along the shoreline.
This is subject to frequent tidal inundation of about 6" (U.S.
Army Engineer District, Jacksonville, 1979).
Horrs Island, a roughly "T" shaped island, lies southeast of
Marco Island. It is characterized by a prominent steep ridge
extending along much of its spine, with elevations of
approximately 5'-30' above NGVD. The ridge is bound by a narrow
transitional zone, usually about 20' wide. This zone is
surrounded by mangroves with a few tidal creeks and swales. The
approved Horrs Island/Barfield Bay project includes two
sub-areas: the island itself, and the mainland portion, adjacent
to S.R. 92 on the south side. The two areas will be connected by
a bridge over Blue Hill Channel, which connects Barfield Bay and
Blue Hill Bay. The project site encompasses approximately 850
acres, including all of the uplands and mangrove forests of Horrs
Island, and along the northern shore of Barfield Bay south of
S.R. 92. The construction of 300 multifamily units is proposed on
its 213 acre tract. A large impact on the upland vegetation of
Horrs Island and north Barfield Bay is expected. Thirty-two acres
of park and 10.6 acres of historic area surrounding Captain
Horr's old homestead will be preserved. Upland vegetation within
these parks will be retained (SWFRPC, 1984b). The unique
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vegetative and archaeological value of this area caused it to be
nominated for purchase under the CARL acquisition program. The
major natural vegetative communities include tropical maritime
hammock, tropical scrub, shell mound, and tidal mangrove swamp.
Approximately 106 acres on Horrs Island is included in the
"unique vegetation" category, according to the SWFRPC (1984b).
The mangrove forests are in good condition, dominated by red
mangroves, especially at the seaward side, with white and black
mangroves in the interior, and buttonwoods occurring in the
transition zones from wetlands to uplands. Uplands consist of
sand ridges and shell mounds within mangrove swamps. The tropical
maritime hammocks and shell mounds are predominantly vegetated by
live oak, gumbo limbo, Jamaica dogwood, wild coffee, and cabbage
palm. The canopy varies from approximately 20'-40'. The tropical
scrub areas contain a mix of temperate scrub species and tropical
hammock species. The plant assemblage is dominated by typical
scrub species such as live oak, sand live oak, scrub oak, scrub
bay, saw palmetto, and gopher apple, mixed with hammock species
such as gumbo limbo, wild coffee, love vine, wild cotton, and
wild lime. This seems to be a unique plant community found only
on sand ridge islands of the southwestern-most areas of Florida.
"The coastal sand ridges and their associated vegetation
are unusual and limited to southwest Florida. The
combination of shell mounds and scrub vegetation is also
rare. Horrs Island is the best known example of this
community, and is in excellent condition over most of the
island. A similar type of community may occur on Cannon
Island in the Rookery Bay Buffers CARL project proposal,
but detailed site inspection and confirmation are
necessary. Many elements of natural diversity in the
project area are in the data base in the Florida Natural
Areas Inventory" (FDNR, 1984).
The scrub areas have a low dense canopy ranging from 10'-20', and
support numerous epiphytes, including several orchid species
(FDNR, 1984). The area supports several endangered, threatened,
and rare species of plants, including the ghost orchid
(polvrrhiza lindenii), banded wild pine (Tillandsia flexuosa),
iguana hackberry (Celtis iquanaea), sand dune spurge (Chamaesvce
cumulicola), Florida privet (Forestiera seqreqata), and lip fern
(Cheilanthes microohvlla). Protected animal species such as tree
snails (Liquus spp.) and gopher tortoises were also observed
(SWFRPC, 1984b).
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7.11.2
PAST AND CURRENT MAINTENANCE
Caxambas Pass separates Marco Island from Kice Island. The inlet
drains Caxambas Bay, Barfield Bay and numerous dredged canals.
Caxambas Pass via Caxambas Bay is used as the main navigational
route from the Gulf of Mexico to Gullivan Bay.
Prior to 1958 Caxambas Pass was a relatively stable tide-
dominated inlet. In 1958 the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
constructed a massive seawall complex, now called the "compound",
on the southwest tip of Marco Island. The compound housed a
U.S. Navy microwave communications relay station. In 1962 radar
was added and the base was used as a tracking station following
the Cuban Missile Crisis. The construction of this seawall
severely altered the natural pass dynamics. The wave field at
the south end of the island was amplified near the inlet causing
spit formation, over-nourishment of the inlet interior and
channel redistribution (stephen, 1981). The pass now exhibits a
wave- dominated morphologic form (Harvey et al., 1984), which is
characterized by shifting sand shoals in the outer pass.
Caxambas Pass has never been dredged for navigational purposes.
However, the shoal on the south side of the pass has been
selected as a borrow area for the Marco Island Beach Restoration
Project. This action should assist in the development of a
workable navigation channel through Caxambas Pass. Plans also
call for a terminal groin and several small submerged offshore
breakwaters (Coastal Engineering Consultants, Inc., 1986). These
structures are supposed to ease the wave action to this area and
return the pass to its more natural state. Once the shoals in
the pass have stabilized, the natural tidal pressure from
Gullivan Bay should keep the channel open to navigation.
7.11.3 SIGNIFICANCE TO RECREATION AND DEVELOPMENT
7.11.3.1 Beaches and Other Recreational Facilities
Caxambas Pass is located south of Marco Island and north of Kice
Island. Kice Island is included in the Cape Romano Barrier Unit
#8 (see section 3.8). The Unit consists of Kice Island, Morgan
Island, and Cape Romano Island. Kice Island is owned by the
TIITF, and the narrow beaches provide a recreational area for
beach-going boaters. Most of the island consists of mangroves,
and mosquitoes are common; therefore, the popularity of the
Island is seasonal with the insects.
Immediately north of Caxambas Pass is the site of a U.s. missile
tracking station, which was built in 1958. Under the orders of
President John F. Kennedy, the station was used for approximately
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5 years to monitor rockets fired during the U. S. Air Force
exercises over the Gulf of Mexico. Since that time, the tracking
station has been a haven for fishermen. The solid concrete
seawall, fringed with riprap of various sizes, is a prime sport
fishing area. Recently the area has been closed to the public.
The Point Marco beach access is located in phase 5 of the Point
Marco PUD. The site runs from Collier Boulevard to the Gulf of
Mexico and is located on the southwestern tip of Marco Island.
The access is a 20' wide, 540' long parcel (.25 acres), and is
composed almost entirely of cleared land. Improvements by the
Collier County Parks and Recreation Department have included a
fence, a lime rock path, a bike rack and several trash
receptacles. There is no parking at the facility. A parking
facility should be considered for future acquisition. There is
currently a paved parking lot directly east of Collier Blvd.,
across the street from the access. There is no apparent use for
the lot and there are no structures in the vicinity. This area
could have potential for future acquisition and be utilized for
the beach access parking.
7.11.3.2 Public Boat Ramos
The Caxambas Park boat ramp is located in Caxambas Bay, on the
southwestern peninsula of Marco Island at Caxambas Pass (Figure
7.10-10). The park is a well developed facility on a four acre
parcel, with paved access and parking for 31 trailers and 30
cars. The paved ramp is 30 feet wide and provides 2 lanes for
boat launching. picnic areas with benches and tables are
provided under shelter or in open locations. other amenities
include restrooms, two floating docks, a water system, a fish
cleaning table and security lighting. A concessionaire is
contracted by the county to provide fuel and a bait and tackle
shop (Reynolds, smith and Hills, 1988).
In May, 1990, the concessionaire proposed the construction of a
fixed dock to be 50 feet long by 4 feet wide on land adjacent to
an existing seawall. The dock is intended to accommodate Coast
Guard Auxiliary boats and other vessels requiring temporary
mooring. In addition to the fixed dock the concessionaire also
plans to double the length of the two existing floating docks
from 20 to 40 feet. The expansion would allow them to handle
twice the number of boats and help relieve the overcrowding
problem that now exists. The construction costs would be carried
by the concessionaire (Marco River Marina) and become property of
the county should the concession operator decide not to renew his
contract when it expires in January, 1994. The plans are in the
permitting stages at the State and local level.
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Recommendations for future park expansion should include
additional parking and picnic facilities. There is currently one
acre available for park expansion. The park hours provide for a
6:00 p.m. closing. This should be expanded to a dusk to dawn time
schedule to accommodate the fishermen. Park hours should be
posted on the boat docks.
There are no boat ramps planned for this area in the near future.
7.11.3.3 Marinas
There are no marinas in the Caxambas Pass area. Most of the
property is single family, multifamily, commercial residential,
or in preserve status. As with most of Collier County's passes,
the inner Caxambas Pass region is a major fishing area,
especially for small boaters. The rougher waters outside the
pass generally restrict small craft to the inner shoal areas.
The Caxambas Pass area has been designated as an idle speed zone
for the purpose of regulating motor boat speed for the protection
of our Collier County population of manatees (DNR Rule
16N-22.023) (Figure 7.9-4). Marinas should not be permitted in
this environmentally sensitive area in the future.
7.11.3.4 Development and Land Use
Caxambas is one of the oldest place names on the coast and
probably in all of Collier County. It was first seen on a chart
of the Florida coast in 1771 as "Caxambas Espanola", a place of
wells and springs. The name is thought to have come from
depressions in the sand which held surface water, making this a
place for early explorers and traders on long ocean voyages to
stop for drinking water.
As with the remainder of Marco Island and the Ten Thousand
Islands, the Calusa Indians inhabited the Caxambas Pass region
(hereafter referred to as Caxambas) as evidenced in the many
shell mounds they left behind.
Records and early maps suggest that the Caxambas Pass area is
where Ponce de Leon and and his explorers landed on the southwest
Florida coast. The Spaniards did not make much of an imprint on
this region during the nearly three centuries they inhabited the
area. The occurrence of pottery, tools and trade goods proves
that there was extensive trade with the Calusa Indians. Little
was known about this locality until Florida became a State in
1821. From this time, there were reports of Spanish Indian fish
farms and well cultivated plantations (1837). The Seminole wars
brought an end to these civilizations.
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A few families occupied Caxambas around 1870, but left little
impression on the area. The Barfields were the first family to
make history in Caxambas. James Madison Barfield joined his
brother here in 1892, along with the Ludlows who had a pineapple
plantation and packaging plant by 1902. In 1904, Barfield opened
a general store and the first post office. Themail ran by mule
as far south as Chokoloskee and as far north as Ft. Myers (across
the passes!). In 1908, the Barfields (James and his wife Tommie)
enlarged their home to accommodate 20 guests (Heights Hotel) and
opened a school in the kitchen.
In 1904, the E.S. Burnham packing Plant became interested in the
clam resources at Caxambas and was given 5 acres of land by the
Barfields (who owned most of the settlement). The clam cannery
provided economic stability for Caxambas village until its
collapse in 1929. Tommie Barfield revived the cannery for a
short period during the depression, until a disastrous hurricane
in 1932 finally devastated the resource. The once diversified
settlement was soon reduced to a clan of commercial fisherman.
Mrs. Tommie Barfield became a prominent figure in the development
of Caxambas when she single-handedly induced the Lee County
Commissioners (after much lobbying and many trips to Ft. Myers)to
authorize a road from Naples to Marco Island; and an automobile-
carrying ferry and a road from Marco Village to Caxambas Village.
The road was completed in 1912, although it was wet and
underwater most of the year (there were 15 Fords on the island by
1918). By this time Tommie Barfield had many milestone
accomplishments, including being the first Superintendent of
Public Instruction in Collier County. She felt that Marco Island
would one day be well developed, and while the land was still
cheap and plentiful, she demanded that adequate school grounds be
set aside. Tommie Barfield worked with Barron Collier, lobbying
Tallahassee to take the necessary action that finally created
Collier County (once part of Lee County).
When Barron Collier purchased most of Marco Island (1922), he had
dreams to transform Caxambas into a port, although he continued
to allow the tenants of Caxambas to remain in the homes
rent-free. At the time of his death, Collier's sons decided to
move the entire fishing community to Goodland and develop
Caxambas village. The Colliers agreed to let the people keep the
houses if they purchased property in Goodland and assisted with
the moving costs. The entire village was relocated to Goodland
and the Caxambas village remained vacant, until the Deltona
Corporation purchased most of Marco Island and developed the new
community in the early 1960's (Tebeau, 1966).
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In 1958, the U.S. missile tracking station was constructed at
Caxambas Pass. The remains of the station were recently removed,
and the Point Marco Resort Complex PUD will now be located here.
At the present time the PUD is still in the permitting stages,
although it has been an approved PUD since 1981. The development
is to be constructed in increments according to the PUD Master
Plan. The plan allows for residential apartments (176 units) and
hotel and apartment hotel units (725 units) constructed on a
previously altered 30 acre site. The general public will
continue to have access to the beach in addition to the site
providing the 20 foot beach access easement.
The PUD also includes a docking facility for temporary use by the
resort guests and for periodic use by charter boats to serve the
guests of the hotel. Shuttle boats will be provided to transport
hotel guests to the Kice Island recreational beaches.
Kice Island and the Cape Romano Complex
Kice Island is contained within the Cape Romano Unit P-15 of the
Federal Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA) of 1982 (Public Law
97-348; 16 U.S.C. 3509). This unit includes the entire barrier
unit complex of Kice Island, Morgan Island and Cape Romano Island
and several unnamed mangrove keys (see "section 3.1"). The unit
is nearly pristine, with the exception of a man-made canal which
was dredged through Cape Romano Island and has since closed off
on the Gulf side.
Kice Island was acquired by the TIITF in 1972 as part of the
Deltona Agreement (13,230 acres). This area is contained within
the Cape Romano - Ten Thousand Islands Aquatic Preserve. The
Preserve warrants the maximum protection allowable under the
rules and guidelines of the Florida Aquatic Preserves Program
(subsection 187-20.004(2) (a)2. FAC). Proposed projects within
the preserve will be subject to a higher standard than will more
developed urban preserves. The entire area encompasses 27,642
acres of sovereignty submerged lands and the boundaries include
all tidal lands and islands, sandbars, shallow bays, submerged
bottom and lands waterward of the MHW to which the state holds
title (FDNR, 1988b).
There are currently private holdings on Morgan Island and Cape
Romano Islands. Fish-camp developments are usually permitted
although there are currently 3 structures that do not fit this
criterion. The entire area is currently on the CARL list for
future acquisition.
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Horrs Island lKev Marco Island)
Horrs Island is located southeast of Marco Island among the inner
shoal areas of Caxambas Pass. The island contains a total of
546.6 acres and natural beach ridge elevations up to 35' above
sea level.
Horrs Island is rich in prehistoric and historic archaeological
sites. To date, 25 sites have been located on the island.
Archaeological surveys suggest that the island was inhabited as
far back as 4000 B.P. (and possibly earlier), as evidenced in the
perceramic shell middens. Fiber tempered pottery (eight sherds)
were collected from the surface of a small shell mound that radio
carbon dated as far back as 3050 BP (Widmer, 1988). The one-half
mile by one-quarter mile site is one of the largest archaic sites
in South Florida (Hart, 1989). During this period of lower sea
level a series of overlavina escarnments aives indication as to
the-ecological, geologic~l and sociological events that have
taken place on the island.
It is evidenced that the Calusa Indians were the next inhabitants
of Horrs Island, and were well established on the island by 800
A.D. The Indians were still living here at the time the Spanish
explorers first landed on the island in the early 1500's.
Disease transmitted by these explorers contributed to the
extirpation of the native Indian populations. The Calusa left
the remains of approximately 15 shell mounds which were uncovered
by M.W. Sterling of the smithsonian Institution in 1930, along
with 250 skeletons and a collection of Spanish colonial artifacts
from the early 1500's. Historical descriptions between this time
and the late 1800's are vague (Widmer, 1988).
In 1870, Captain John T. Horr built a winter vacation home on the
island, which became his namesake. By 1977, Horr had developed a
diversified commercial food crop for trade in Key West. His
plantation consisted mostly of pineapples; however, he also
cultivated many varieties of citrus and mangos.
Captain Horr lived in a small tabby building surrounded by frame
construction (remains of his house can still be seen today).
Decline in the pineapple trade in the 1920's along with the boom
in Florida land sales caused the closing of the packing plant and
the eventual sale of the island.
The island was abandoned until it became the winter home of
another family (the Patricks) in 1940. They spent many winters
on the island and made little changes with the exception of a
small house and yard.
II -430-
In the early 1960's the property was acquired by the Deltona
corporation. As part of the Deltona Agreement the island was
permitted for development in 1982 in exchange for 13,230 acres of
environmentally sensitive lands. In 1988, the Ronto Group
purchased Horrs Island from Deltona and the island is now planned
for an exclusive community.
The new owners of Horrs Island are in the process of changing the
name to Key Marco Island. The planned community will contain a
minimum of 80 homesites and not more than 134 homesites, a gate
house, and a dock master house. Homesites will comprise a total
of 142.74 acres. Portions of the property, referred to as
Recreation/Native Habitat (and Park/Open Space Areas), will be
used for recreational and social purposes. These areas also
include tennis courts, pools, bicycle paths, walkways, vita paths
and other recreational walks and roadways. The Recreation/Native
Habitat and Park/Open Space Areas are sUbject to strict
conservation easements.
provisions for an Environmental Committee have been established
(requirements of the Settlement Agreement, the PUD and the DO)
in order to preserve, monitor and manage the archaeological and
environmental resources of the property, and to advise on
environmental and archaeological matters.
Archaeological easements over homesites and the Common Areas for
ingress, egress, and preservation, excavation and study of
archaeological areas are included in the PUD. Owners of
homesites which contain archaeological easements or setbacks will
not be able to interfere, construct, plant or otherwise disturb
the area. The University of Florida Foundation, Inc. will have
the right to enforce these provisions. The contents of any area
in an archaeological easement will be owned by the Homeowners
Association for the benefit of the University of Florida
Foundation, Inc. (Ronto Development PUD, 1990).
within the next 2 years Ronto development plans to build a
$3,000,000 bridge to connect Horrs Island to Marco Island. The
guard house, gatemaster house, community center, sports complex,
dock masters house, and four fishing piers with gazebos are next
to be developed. The island is also approved for 200 various
sized boat slips and will be able to reduce the number of slips
in exchange for larger slips (minimum 138 dock slips).
II -431-
7.11.4 RECOMMENDATIONS
7.11.4.1 Maintenance Recommendations
Caxambas Pass should be maintained at its current level of
service. Dredging for navigational purposes is not deemed to be
necessary as depths are adequately maintained by tidal currents.
For beach renourishment projects, dredging should be restricted
to submerged ebb tidal delta shoals that have been approved for
this purpose by state, County, and federal agencies. The dredged
material should only be used for renourishment of beaches in the
immediate vicinity, i.e., the downdrift beaches of Marco Island.
Emergent longshore sandbars should not be used as borrow areas
because of their value in providing shore protection and
shorebird habitat.
Projects that would have a negative impact on sea turtle nesting
and/or hatching activities should occur outside of sea turtle
nesting season. Nest relocation activities to accommodate
construction during sea turtle nesting and hatching season should
not be permitted in any case unless there would otherwise be an
extreme impact on human health, safety, and welfare.
The tombolo accreting on Kice Island should not be dredged or
used as a borrow area for sand. Newly accreting beaches and
sandbars form important shorebird habitats and afford protection
to landward shorelines.
Small projects, such as single family docks, other over-water
structures, and shoreline armoring, should be done in the most
environmentally sound manner. Docks should be aligned to avoid
submerged seagrass beds or other benthic habitat, and terminal
ends should be in appropriate water depths to reduce prop
dredging (deeper than -3', MLW). Shoreline armoring should not be
allowed unless erosional threats to property are severe. If that
is the case, armoring should consist of revetments of sloping
riprap with vegetation planted at the toe. Natural shoreline
vegetation should be preserved to maintain shoreline stability,
habitat, and filtering capabilities.
Native, salt-tolerant vegetation should not be removed from dune
areas. Only limited clearing, with an emphasis on construction of
dune walkover structures and preservation of dune vegetation,
should be permitted.
II -432-
7.11.4.2 Recommended Restoration Activities
Educational signage within the backbay system and at recreational
beaches, as well as the sponsoring of educational programs,
addressing shoreline dynamics, protected species protection,
littering, prop dredging, the value of seagrass beds and native
dune vegetation, and other appropriate topics are encouraged.
These projects should be approved by the County's Natural
Resources Department.
Sea turtle monitoring programs should continue on Marco Island
beaches. However, nest relocation practices should be
discouraged, unless the nest would be destroyed in its existing
location. Instead, appropriate timing of construction activities
that disturb sea turtle nesting and/or hatching activities should
only take place outside of sea turtle nesting season. Sea turtle
monitoring programs should be initiated for the beaches of Kice,
Morgan, and cape Romano Islands, as well, to increase the data
base for sea turtle nesting and hatching activities within the
county.
Dune systems should be vegetated with native, salt-tolerant
plants to enhance shoreline stability. Appropriate species
include sea oats, salt grass, sea grape, railroad vine, etc.
Exotic nuisance vegetation, such as Australian pine and Brazilian
pepper, should be removed from dune systems, where possible. Back
bay areas infested with exotic vegetation could also be
selectively cleared, and replanted with appropriate native
species.
II -433-
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Figure 7.11-1: Caxambas Pass Location Map (from NOAA, 1990).
II -434-
/' I.~'-:"'-i
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1927 - 1952
1969 -1973
~,. ~<-:(;"]
r . ~....::....:';;
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1952 -1962
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1962 - 1969
1973 - 1981
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CAXAMBAS PASS
~ Vegetated
e Developed
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o Submerged delta; approx, -6ft.MSL
. Erosion
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I
1000 FEET
Figure 7.11-2:
Caxambas Pass: 1927 to 1981, Accretion and
Erosion Patterns (from Harvey et al., 1984 - Part
2) .
II -435-