Introducing the Deep-draft Toll. A means to stopping erosion as well as funding habitat restoration along the Intracoastal Waterway passing through St Augustine, FL.
In Florida, the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) is mostly used for fun things like fishing and water sports. Originally, the ICW was made to protect commercial ships from German submarines and other threats to national security during World War II. This is no longer relevant and counters local interests.
Keeping the ICW dredged through fragile ecosystems like the Matanzas River Basin hurts today’s business interests on the waterway, which are fishing and ecotourism. Both of which are jeopardized by the ecosystem degradation caused by boat wake. The pleasure boats of the ultra-wealthy are the only traffic coming from the north during the winter months to their resort homes in South Florida. In order to stop this erosion, it is important to look at new policies that can be put in place to protect today’s commercial interests, save tax dollars, and generate income from tolls for deep-draft and other seafaring vessels wishing to pass through.
One of the most effective measures to limit erosion is living shoreline stabilization. Riprap and permeable flexible barriers are placed along the shoreline to absorb waves and slow the flow of water. This helps to prevent shorelines from eroding while also providing protection so habitat can be created for plants like cord grass and aquatic species like crabs and oysters, which further enhances coastal integrity. Hard structures like bulkheads should be avoided since it degrade habitat and cause intense erosion during flooding events.
In addition to physical barriers like riprap, it is important to limit the access of seagoing vessels to certain areas, especially those where ecotourism and aquaculture take place. This can be done through educational campaigns to inform people of ecologically sensitive areas, as well as through legislation that would restrict vessel access in certain zones or require them to travel at reduced speeds within specific areas of the Intracoastal Waterway.
It is also important to consider our tendency for dredging when trying to stop intracoastal erosion, as this activity can have significant impacts on coastal integrity by removing sediment from estuarine systems. Dredging should only happen when it’s a must, like when it’s needed for navigation or for flood control projects that are good for the environment in the long run. If dredging does take place, extra care should be taken during restoration efforts to ensure ecologically sound outcomes are achieved, such as introducing native plant species back into the area once disturbed sediment has been removed.
To sum up, there are numerous steps we can take in order to prevent erosion along the Intracoastal Waterway in Florida, including living shoreline stabilization; educating seafaring vessels about ecologically sensitive areas; limiting vessel access; and monitoring dredging activities carefully if they must occur due to navigation needs or other ecologically beneficial reasons. Following these steps will help guarantee a strong coastline for many years into the future.
Kayakers in St. Augustine, FL, are leading the ecotourism charge to protect the Intracoastal. The damage wrought by boat wake is increasingly evident, and action must be taken to stop it. This can be achieved through policy reform, such as eliminating dredging for deep-draft vessels and charging a toll to access the local river basin. These changes would not only save money but could also generate revenue for habitat restoration. Kayakers have started to push for these changes and encourage others to do the same. Their work may help restore this important ecosystem in the long run. With ecotourism initiatives like this one, we can ensure that our local environment is preserved and enjoyed by future generations. Together, we can make a difference.