In Southwest Florida, especially southwest of Charlotte, an extensive and 

 very fragile system of barrier islands extends along large stretches of the 

 coastline. This chain of Barrier Islands extend from the Minnesota Peninsula 

 on the north and includes the islands of Don Pedro, Gasparilla, Teocosta, 

 Captiva, Sanibel, Estero, and Bonita Beach (Discussion with Staff, Bureau of 

 Coastal Zone Management, September 1981). These islands protect the estuaries 

 and coastline by buffering the forces of high tides and storms during incle- 

 ment weather. They are dynamic and frequently shift and change with the tides 

 and time. The littoral drift of sand and beach erosion on these islands makes 

 their shores subject to radical change within relatively short periods of 

 time. Their attractiveness for residential development and coastal recreation 

 has invited further environmental threat. Inappropriate development such as 

 artificial jetties, seawalls, groins, dredging, and filling activities inter- 

 feres with natural forces and has created environmental stresses that disrupt 

 and sometimes destroy these systems. An example of a positive measure that 

 can be enacted to protect barrier islands is the comprehensive plan developed 

 for the Sanibel and Captiva Islands just off the Charlotte Harbor area. 



THE FLORIDA KEYS 



The Florida Keys historically has been confronted with shortages of pot- 

 able supplies of freshwater. Intensive development throughout the Keys has 

 further worsened the shortage. Some natural systems are jeopardized by inten- 

 sive development along the Florida Keys, such as the fragile and unique reef 

 system that has undergone extensive alteration over the past few decades. The 

 entire Keys chain is classified as an Area of Critical State Concern. 



The major classification of land uses and wetland categories that are 

 important for identification and protection throughout Florida was recommended 

 by the Florida State Department of Environmental Regulation (1978). 



FORECASTS AND TRENDS 



Southwest Florida has been the focus of extensive research and investiga- 

 tion because increased urban growth has caused numerous social and environ- 

 mental problems. One of the products of the State and regional research was 

 an econometric regional forecast model (Milliman et al . 1981). The model has 

 wide application for forecasting fiscal trends. It is designed to estimate 

 changing fiscal circumstances as a result of changing socioeconomic and envi- 

 ronmental conditions. 



Another indicator of Southwest Florida's residential growth is the list 

 of Development of Regional Impact (DRI) that is available from the Department 

 of Community Affairs. The DRI's include certain classes of recreational, com- 

 mercial, residential, and transportation developments. Extensive development 

 has been permitted through the DRI procedure and is likely to continue 

 throughout Southwest Florida. Residential development is most likely for Lee, 

 Sarasota, Manatee, and Monroe Counties and greater industrial developments, 

 frequently related to phosphate mining, can be expected in Manatee, Sarasota, 

 and Hillsborough Counties. 



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