Monroe County Approves Boca Chica Mooring Field Using RESTORE Funds
Monroe County commissioners voted on October 15, 2025, to amend the county's RESTORE Act Multi-Year Implementation Plan to add a managed mooring field at Boca Chica, directing Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund resources toward reducing anchor damage in the Lower Keys. The move aims to protect coral and seagrass habitat that underpin local tourism, fishing and boating economies, though specifics on funding amounts and implementation timelines remain to be clarified.
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On October 15, 2025, the Monroe County Board of County Commissioners approved an amendment to its RESTORE Act Multi-Year Implementation Plan to include the Boca Chica Mooring Field project, according to county meeting records and civic alerts. The approved change directs Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund resources, established after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, toward the establishment of a managed mooring field designed to reduce damage from unregulated anchoring in Boca Chica waters.
County staff from the Planning and Environmental Resources Department prepared the amendment for the board’s consideration. The addition was recorded in official resolutions and the meeting minutes, and was subsequently reported by local outlets, including KONK Life on October 20, 2025. Verification for the board’s action is available through Monroe County civic alerts and RESTORE Act documentation posted by the county; local news reports corroborate the approval and context.
The planned mooring field targets an ongoing environmental challenge in the Lower Keys: boats anchoring on sensitive seagrass beds and coral reef structures. Unregulated anchoring has been cited in county analysis as a contributor to habitat degradation and reduced water quality. A managed mooring field provides designated anchoring points intended to limit physical damage to benthic habitats, improve water quality outcomes, and reduce the need for future restoration expenditures.
The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council, which oversees RESTORE Act funds, remains the federal partner in the broader funding framework that makes the project possible. At the county level, the Board of County Commissioners led the approval process. Commissioner Scholl participated in board discussions regarding the project during the October meeting. Documentation indicates the county will continue to work through RESTORE reporting and subsequent county meetings to advance implementation.
For Monroe County residents, the project carries both ecological and economic implications. The Florida Keys’ economy is closely tied to healthy reefs and seagrass systems that support fisheries, recreational boating and tourism. A managed mooring field at Boca Chica could reduce the physical damage that undermines those industries, improve safety for recreational users, and complement local environmental education efforts. At the same time, residents and stakeholders may seek clarity on access, enforcement, and potential costs associated with installation and long-term maintenance.
Key details still require follow-up. County records and the RESTORE Act page do not yet specify the exact funding allocation or a firm timeline for construction and deployment of moorings. Monroe County officials have indicated that further information will appear in future county meetings and RESTORE Act updates, and potential community feedback sessions could clarify local concerns about access and operations.
Residents interested in documents and updates can consult the Monroe County RESTORE Act page and county civic alerts for meeting records and future notices. As the county moves from approval to implementation, transparency on funding, schedule and public engagement will determine how effectively the Boca Chica Mooring Field meets its environmental and economic goals.