Canals in the Big Cypress Area drain storm waters so rapidly that the 

 normal salinity of the estuaries is altered. Canals that are directly con- 

 nected to estuaries sometimes discharge excessively large volumes of storm 

 water, sewage, and urban runoff during the wet season. Moreover, during 

 either the wet or dry season, disrupted water flows may change estuarine 

 salinities, alter the availability of nutrients, and change water levels that 

 are essential for more productive estuarine fisheries. 



Canals also affect the level and the quality of the ground water. The 

 water table may be reduced because of excessive rapid runoff and loss of 

 ground water due to seepage into canals. Saltwater intrusion is likely where 

 water table levels have been drastically lowered by drainage canals and where 

 saltwater barriers have not been provided in the canals. Contaminated urban 

 runoff sometimes seeps into the ground water. 



Urban development of wetlands and other low areas usually requires the 

 filling of wetlands and raising the natural grade of the land. By displace- 

 ment, dredge spoil may completely alter the surface area and water flow pat- 

 terns of a particular area. For example, runoff from any new construction may 

 cause excessive soil erosion and turbidity downstream during the construction 

 phase. 



Other adverse effects generally associated with urban displacement of 

 wetlands are the reduction of aquifer recharge, increased urban runoff because 

 of the abundance of impermeable surfaces, increased saltwater intrusion due to 

 low ground water, and contamination of the ground water caused by improperly 

 encased, valved, or sealed deep water wells. 



Residential Development 



Most new environmental stresses in the Big Cypress area may be traced to 

 the rapid population increase of the city of Naples as a winter resort in the 

 1960's, and population increases in Collier and Lee Counties. The Gulf Amer- 

 ican Land Corporation and its successor, GAC Properties, purchased about 

 150,000 ha (371,000 acres or 5802 mi) for suburban development in Collier 

 County, one of the largest land sale ventures of its kind. 



Gulf American's largest land sale promotion in Collier County (and west- 

 ern Big Cypress Swamp) was "Golden Gate Estates." This subdivision covers 

 45,731 ha (113,000 acres) and is located some 24 km (15 mi) from Naples. 

 Golden Gate Estates was marketed as "semi-improved" land because the area 

 contained a grid of flood control canals and roads. The sales practices of 

 GAC Properties led to court suits and were cited in congressional hearings of 

 the mid-1960 's that led to the passage of the Interstate Land Sales Full 

 Disclosure Act of 1968. 



Damage to the land and water resources caused by the Golden Gate Estates 

 subdivision was extensive. This subdivision stretches across the Big Cypress 

 Swamp about 40 km (25 mi) north to south and nearly 21 km (13 mi) east to 

 west. Approximately 172 km (107 mi) of canals and 1,200 km (807 mi) of roads 

 were constructed to serve residential development. The grid of roads and 

 canals was planned and built before proper consideration was given to its 

 effects on water resources and wildlife. 



241 



