Improving Boater Access and Waterway Management

The Northwest Spreader Waterway is a bottleneck. It is our primary route to open water, yet it is shallow, silted, tide-dependent, and increasingly congested. Long, difficult trips are the norm. That is inefficient, unsafe, and unacceptable for a waterfront city. We will fix it without sacrificing the environment that makes this place worth protecting.

My Action Plan

We move with discipline. I will initiate engineering studies backed by real data and direct citizen input to evaluate solutions that improve navigation and water quality. No guesswork. No shortcuts.

We will explore additional stormwater conveyance and filtration channels designed to preserve natural mangrove systems while improving depth, flow, and access. Every option will be measured against two standards: improved usability for boaters and protection of the ecosystem.

All proposals will meet strict regulatory requirements through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. Compliance is not optional. Environmental stewardship is mission-critical.

We will maintain a fully transparent process. Public workshops, clear timelines, and published findings will ensure residents and boaters are informed and involved at every step.

Execution will be phased and accountable but prioritizing dredging where appropriate, targeted flow improvements, and long-term solutions that reduce recurring maintenance.

End state: reliable, efficient access to open water, improved water quality, and a protected mangrove ecosystem, delivered through smart planning, strict oversight, and respect for the environment.