Commodore Tom Marmen wrote a letter to Pelican Isle members who do not belong to ECA. The letter is below

Dear Fellow Members,

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Pelican Isle Yacht Club (PIYC), I would like to bring something very important to your attention – particularly to our newer members.   We are so fortunate to be located on the Cocohatchee River, close to Wiggins Pass.  However, as our long time members are aware, clean waters and a navigable pass are not a “given” but something that requires constant attention and significant political involvement by our members. By having navigable water, we ensure our Yacht Club will continue to grow.

The only organization monitoring the health of the Cocohatchee estuary and Wiggins Pass is the Estuary Conservation Association, Inc. (ECA).  The ECA is a state chartered, non-profit organization which monitors water quality, navigation through the pass and the overall health of the flora and fauna in the estuary.  The ECA works closely with Collier County government including the Board of County Commissioners and the Office of Coastal Zone Management and played a key part in the five year process to redesign and enhance the Pass.  Each year, the ECA sponsors a public series of educational “Gulf Forums” on a variety of water related topics.  Having attended some of the forums, I can highly recommend them. Their plans for the future include enhancing the recreational use of the estuary and increasing the fish and shellfish populations by building new oyster reefs.

There’s a financial aspect to these activities as well.  We’re all co-owners of the Club and many of us have slips or own condominiums within or near the estuary.  If this beautiful area isn’t kept pristine and if the Wiggins Pass became un-navigable, the value of all the adjacent property will decline.

The ECA conducts its annual membership drive at this time each year and copy of their membership application is available by downloading:  ECA Membership Application 2015 .  For your convenience, you may drop off your completed form and check with the PIYC receptionist.  Thank you for your support.

I encourage you to join the ECA and participate in and support this organization.   A significant number of our Club members already belong and I would like to see that portion become 100%.  To learn more about the ECA, their website is www.estuaryconservation.org.

Thank you for your consideration.

Tom Marmen
Commodore