Agenda Item: 12(b)
Prepared By: Justin Martin, P.E., Director
Business: City Council Item
Department: Public Works
Subject:
Title
Update on the 2025 Completion of the Tigertail Lagoon/Sand Dollar Island Restoration Project and Request for Storm Restoration Costs from Tourist Tax Revenue via Collier County - Justin Martin, P.E., Director, Public Works
Body
BACKGROUND:
The Tigertail Lagoon/Sand Dollar Island Ecosystem Restoration is a City of Marco Island project designed to restore and protect a valuable ecosystem, which includes recreational assets and tourist attractions. The project in its entirety is located on public beach and wetland areas designated as Critical Wildlife Area by the State of Florida and can only be accessed by land through Collier County Tigertail Beach Park at the south part of the system. The project is in the public interest providing environmental, social and economic benefits, and storm protection.
The Tigertail Lagoon and Sand Dollar Island ecosystem is a protected natural preserve and a Critical Wildlife Area that provides valuable habitat for a variety of birds, sea turtles, manatees, marine life, and seagrasses. Tigertail Lagoon and Sand Dollar Island are also valuable Marco Island recreational resources for residents and tourists for birding, fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, kitesurfing, and, on the northern half, boating. The public accesses the ecosystem via Collier County's Tigertail Beach Park at the southern end of the lagoon and via boat at the northern end of the lagoon. Tigertail Beach is one of 510 points on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail and is considered one of the best all-around birding spots in southwest Florida. Reader's Digest named this area as one of the "15 Best Beaches in Florida Locals Want to Keep Secret" and the only one in Collier County. The County Park is one of only three public beach access points on Marco Island and receives over 200,000 visitors annually. It has a relatively l...
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