The network of canals dug by GAC in the Big Cypress Area has impaired 

 freshwater resources, and contributed to forest fire potentials. The canal 

 system drains 101,000 ha (390 mi^), an area over twice as large as the subdi- 

 vision alone. Apparently, the water table in the Big Cypress Area has fallen 

 between 0.6 and 4.6 m (between 2 and 15 ft) as a result of the Golden Gate 

 Estates development. In 1970-72, the volume of fresh water lost through GAC 

 Properties' Fahka Union Canal was equivalent to the total water needs of about 

 2 million people. Because of the "artificial drought" conditions caused by 

 the drainage canals, the Big Cypress Area is more susceptible to destructive 

 fires, flajor fires occurred in 1971, 1973, and in the spring of 1981. 



In addition to stresses on the natural resources by Golden Gate Estates, 

 heavy burdens have fallen on local governments. Collier County has assumed 

 maintenance responsibility for a large part of the road and canal system of 

 this subdivision. The roads have deteriorated rapidly, but receive so little 

 use that to maintain them is pointless, especially at an estimated cost of 

 over $314,000 per year. The canals have become choked with water hyacinths 

 and other exotic water weeds (Carter 1974). 



BEACHES AND BARRIER ISLANDS 



The barrier islands that are the most important ecologically and a boon 

 to tourists are Caladesi Island, Treasure Island, Captiva Island, Sanibel 

 Island, and the Florida Keys. 



In their natural state, barrier islands are a coastline's first line of 

 defense against hurricanes and tropical storms. The islands absorb enormous 

 wave, wind, and tidal forces and their beaches and dunes may shift substan- 

 tially as a result of these forces. Some grow larger through deposition, and 

 some recede through wind and wave erosion. Although barrier islands generally 

 are physically unstable for suburban development, they tend to be ecologically 

 stable despite their dynamic nature (LaRoe 1980). When left in its natural 

 state, the coastal environment generally is highly resilient. 



Beach erosion is a natural and continuing process that affects all of the 

 barrier islands along the gulf coast. Erosion often results in economic loss 

 because of severe physical damage to residential and commercial structures, 

 roads, beaches, and other features. The extent of erosion in Southwest Flor- 

 ida is summarized in Table 4. 



When residential and commercial developments are imposed on a barrier 

 island, the environment tends to destabilize. Manmade structures, especially 

 engineering attempts to stabilize beaches, often disrupt the natural process 

 with disastrous results. The action usually results in a new stress that 

 upsets the balance of natural processes. When beach erosion develops, artifi- 

 cial attempts sometimes are made by adding sand to the depleted beaches. The 

 cost of beach renourishment, which is by no means a permanent solution, is 

 near $3 million/mi in Florida (Greene 1981). Despite the erosion and instab- 

 ility of barrier island beaches, residential, commercial, and recreational 

 development is continuing at a fast pace there. 



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