Canal restoration on Big Pine and Geiger Key
Summary
The county attorney found no absolute legal barriers to opening plugged canals — only the county's own comp plan — but warned it would take serious science and permitting. Separately, bulk items added Geiger Key canals to restoration design work under an FDEP grant.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 3
- Last 30 days
- 0
Last discussed Aug 19, 2026.
Impact analysis
$173,724 added for Geiger Key canal design and permitting via grant funds.
Canal-front residents seeking improved water quality.
None directly, though residents bear financial risk if permits are denied.
Mentions & discussions (3)
Board of County Commissioners - Aug 19, 2026
The county attorney found no absolute legal barriers to opening plugged canals — only the county's own comp plan — but warned it would take serious science and permitting. Separately, bulk items added Geiger Key canals to restoration design work under an FDEP grant.
Board of County Commissioners - Jul 15, 2026
Residents of Blue Water (Tavernier), Cahill Pines (Big Pine), and Canal 310 in Ramrod begged the county to help open canals deliberately plugged decades ago. Stagnant water, dead fish, and seaweed are making life miserable — but no permit to unplug a canal has ever been issued in Florida.
Board of County Commissioners - May 20, 2026
Property owners in the canal restoration areas and around Twin Lakes will see the annual maintenance assessments on their 2027 tax bills — adopted after public hearings where nobody spoke.
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