Marco Considers Manmade Mini Islands to Improve Water Quality 

Innovative Plan Proposed to Improve Water Quality on Marco Island

Introduction

In the wake of years of declining water quality on Marco Island, City Council considered a plan on Monday presented by a Marco Island businessman to construct habitat islands out of dredged sediment in island canals.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
2. Goal 14: Life Below Water
3. Goal 15: Life on Land

Council’s Interest in the Plan

Council members expressed their intrigue and support for the proposed plan.

Environmental Issues on Marco Island

• Since 2019, Marco Island’s waterways have been on Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s impaired waterways list.
• The nitrogen levels in the city’s canals have exceeded DEP’s standards, and the waterways are impaired for dissolved oxygen.
• The city has implemented various measures to reduce toxicity and improve water quality.

Water Quality Restoration Plan

Marco Island submitted a water quality restoration plan to the DEP and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in June 2023, which was accepted.

Alternative Solution Proposed

Marco Island resident Dan Davies, owner of Earthwerks Corp., presented an alternative plan called C-HAWQ (Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Initiative) to City Council.

Implementation of C-HAWQ

The C-HAWQ plan involves dredging the sediment from the canals and creating small islands, totaling approximately 100 acres of new land.

Benefits of C-HAWQ

• The islands will be planted with native plants, creating habitat and improving water quality.
• The project could help undo damage done to the waterways in previous years.

Cost and Construction Process

The estimated cost for the C-HAWQ proposal is not yet determined, but it is expected to be substantially less than traditional dredging methods.

The construction process involves using amphibious excavators to transport sediment from the canal onto a barge and then building the islands using the sediment.

Conclusion

City Council has given their consent to move forward with more details about designing the C-HAWQ project, which may not require a bidding process if it is deemed unique enough.

The project aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals and has the potential to greatly improve water quality on Marco Island.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 14: Life Below Water
• SDG 15: Life on Land

The article discusses the declining water quality on Marco Island, which is connected to SDG 6, as it focuses on the need for clean water and sanitation. The impaired waterways and hypoxia mentioned in the article are related to SDG 14, which aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources. Additionally, the proposal to construct habitat islands and improve water quality aligns with SDG 15, which focuses on protecting, restoring, and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials.
• SDG 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, particularly from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.
• SDG 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.

The targets identified are directly related to the issues discussed in the article. The need to improve water quality on Marco Island aligns with SDG 6.3, which aims to reduce pollution and improve water quality. The mention of impaired waterways and hypoxia connects to SDG 14.1, which focuses on reducing marine pollution. The proposal to construct habitat islands and restore the ecosystem is in line with SDG 15.1, which aims to ensure the sustainable use of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Water quality measurements: The article mentions that Marco Island’s waterways exceeded the allowed levels of toxins and had high nitrogen levels. These measurements can be used as indicators to measure progress towards improving water quality (SDG 6.3).
• Impaired waterways and hypoxia: The presence of impaired waterways and hypoxia can be used as indicators to measure progress in reducing marine pollution (SDG 14.1).
• Restoration activities: The article mentions that ongoing restoration activities are underway, indicating progress towards the conservation and restoration of terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems (SDG 15.1).

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: coastalbreezenews.com