The boat ramp at Indian Key Fill, about MM 78.5 along the area known as the Fills, was damaged early in February when a contractor was putting equipment into the water. The hard pack surface was disturbed at the ramp entrance on the shoreline and extending into the water.
Following an evaluation of the damage, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) determined that restoration must be completed before the area can be reopened to the public.
The restoration is the responsibility of the contractor that created the damage. The contractor is working with an environmental consulting group in Wood Environmental to create the necessary restoration plan. The plan now requires approval and permitting from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and will also require permitting with the Army Corps of Engineers and authorization through the National Marine Sanctuary. The contractor is coordinating closely with FDEP and the village of Islamorada during this process.
The permitting and restoration will take months to complete – possibly until the end of the year. The ramp and parking area are completely closed until the restoration project is complete.
Improvements are not allowed to be incorporated into the restoration plan. Due to regulations in place for shoreline damage, the requirements are that the area must be restored to its previous condition, not improved. Any improvements would require separate design and permitting only after the restoration project is complete.
