A controversial proposal to build a large-scale boat docking facility in Chokoloskee Bay is drawing fierce opposition from island residents ahead of a public hearing scheduled for June 12.
The proposed project, located at 388 Calusa Drive on the southern tip of Chokoloskee Island, includes a request for a 72-foot extension on top of the already allowed 20 feet. If approved, the dock would extend 92 feet into the bay.
“I don't want a boat or that dock to tear my historical building down. That’s why my bathrooms are on wheels, so I can put them on a hill. There’s nothing underneath this door," said Lynn McMillan, owner of the historic Smallwood Store located near the proposed site.
Residents fear the dock could obstruct shallow water access, disrupt the aesthetics of the bay, and set a precedent for more oversized structures. Some worry about the environmental and storm-related risks, especially with the island’s proximity to Everglades National Park.
“This island is surrounded by the Everglades National Park. I would think that the FWC, the Everglades National Park and the DEP would be interested in what this is going to cause," said McMillan.
“Chokoloskee is a little piece of heaven. It’s just like old Florida. We don’t want a bunch of docks out here. … We like to keep it simple down here," said Michael Wilson, a Chokoloskee resident.
The hearing examiner is scheduled to consider the petition at 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 12.
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