MAG Advocacy
 
Since raising the alarm over the mangrove die-off and spearheading restoration, MAG has continued to work to protect Clam Bay through advocacy and partnerships with other environmental organizations. Over the years, this has included:
 

• Promoting Ecosystem Health. MAG has continued to advocate for management that places a priority on ecosystem health. We have supported Clam Pass dredging plans that are calibrated to promote system flushing without over-dredging. We have opposed proposals to open up connections between Clam Bay and Moorings Bay, supported by boating interests, that would have dewatered Clam Bay and completely closed Clam Pass by diverting tidal flow. We opposed efforts to split up management of Clam Bay by removing PBSD’s responsibility for dredging and assigning that to another County agency. Ultimately, PBSD’s authority for integrated management of the Clam Bay conservation area was restored by a county ordinance affirming its responsibility and implicitly endorsing the positive results of the mangrove restoration plan. 
• Protecting Habitat and Natural Shorelines. MAG has helped fund efforts to document and protect wildlife, including a study of Clam Bay’s benthic habitat by scientists with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida. MAG joined with other Pelican Bay organizations to fund legal action to have Clam Bay declared a manatee protection area with slow speed zones. We joined with the Conservancy and others to oppose the addition of tramways, boardwalks and shade structures along Clam Pass Park beach that would have intruded on the natural shoreline and the habitat for birds, gopher tortoises and other wildlife.
• Combating Overdevelopment. MAG has opposed developments that would exceed the carrying capacity of the beaches at Clam Pass Park and Vanderbilt Beach, such as plans to build a large fishing pier at Vanderbilt Beach in 2007 and a huge bathroom/concession/deck facility in 2010, and proposals to construct a parking garage at the Seagate access to Clam Pass Park in 2010 and 2018, all of which were ultimately not approved. 
• Coastal Resiliency. MAG supports nature-based solutions to enhance coastal resiliency, rather than walls and other hard structures, as key elements for the Army Corps of Engineers Coastal Storm Risk Management study (CSRM) for Collier County.

 
MAG’s advocacy depends on our members. Some are citizen scientists who help us understand the science of the issues. Others are interested in becoming informed, sharing information, and developing positions on the environmental issues that confront Clam Bay and all of Southwest Florida. All want to protect Clam Bay. There are many ways to help!