PROJECT UPDATES

Over one year ago, The Casey Key Association began its efforts toward defining a long-term solution for our shoreline erosion. The Casey Key Shoreline Resiliency Project was initiated to address the very considerable erosion of our shoreline on Casey Key.  As a result of the work completed by the engineering firm of Humiston & Moore, Phase I identified the location and severity of our erosion issues and lays out the framework for a program to mitigate these problems.    

WE have been working for YOU!  

As we embark on Phase II, the solution design and permitting, there are still those who may not be aware of the Project or how much progress we have made.  Members of the Casey Key Shoreline Resiliency Project Working Group, and our engineering and legal professionals, have had preliminary meetings with one of our US Congressmen, our State Representative and our County Commissioner, seeking their support and access to public financing for this Project. Each of these individuals has indicated strong support for this Project subject to receiving a sound design and permitting plan with a clear pathway to public/private financing that is supported by the County Commissioners and a CLEAR MAJORITY OF CASEY KEY PROPERTY OWNERS.

Casey Key needs your Support! 

There is a need for strong community support as we embark on securing the requisite external engagement, approval, and public funding. This may seem like a herculean task, but we have found, with the support of our incredible community, anything is possible.

Fundraising for Phase II – Design and Permitting – commenced in February 2021, and we have currently raised more than $450,000 toward our $800,000 goal. It is imperative that we achieve a resident and donor base that represents a CLEAR MAJORITY OF CASEY KEY PROPERTY OWNERS to show our resolve as a community to the elected officials, whose support is essential to permitting and gaining access to direct and in-direct public funding for our Project.

When we reach these twin goals ($800K in donations and clear majority resident participation), we are reasonably confident that we can:

1. Obtain permits to bring sand to at least 4 ½ miles of our beach and to have the sand in the next 2-3 years, giving us up to 100’ of sandy beach in areas that now have little or none, and to better protect those that already have adequate sand.                                                            
2. Secure permits for suitable structures (such as groins, artificial reefs [e.g., Reef Balls] or something functionally similar) to help protect against future, rapid erosion and storm surges; and 
3. Put us in a realistic position to procure substantial County, State and Federal direct and in-direct funding for the restoration and preservation of our shoreline.

We are focused on an executable Project solution to our Shoreline Resiliency. 

Assuming we have met these 3 goals by the end of May 2021, pledges would be called, and all checks deposited into the Casey Key Ecosystem Fund at the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

Should these goals not be achieved by the end of May 2021, the Working Group will advise all existing donors, and the CKA Board, of the status of (a) funds raised, (b) property owner participation, and (c) County, State and Federal officials support and make a Go or No-Go recommendation about continuing the Project with supporting rationale.   In the event the Project is discontinued, each donor’s Phase II pledge would be released, or check returned. 

Please consider making a tax-deductible donation in support of this project no later than May 15:

• Please make a check payable to the Gulf Coast Community Foundation (GCCF), or
• Alternatively, you can send in the attached pledge form.
• Checks or pledges should be sent with a note/memo designating the donation to The Casey Key Ecosystem Fund. Mail to:  The Casey Key Foundation DAF Advisors | PO Box 211 | Nokomis, FL 34274-0211.

All contributions deposited in the Casey Key Ecosystem Fund at the Gulf Coast Community Foundation are Tax-Deductible.

The Casey Key Association and the Casey Key Shoreline Resiliency Project Working Group are committed to providing accurate, up-to-date information regarding this project and welcome your comments.

We welcome your feedback and comments, send your questions and/or comments to thecaseykeyassociation@gmail.com.

With deep gratitude, I would like to personally thank the more than 120 Casey Key residents who have donated to the Project since its inception.   I hope you too will support the Casey Key Shoreline Resiliency Project – the journey to protect our property depends on YOU now more than ever. 

Today, we are writing to ask for your help with the Casey Key Shoreline Resiliency Project.

Over one year ago, The Casey Key Association began its efforts toward defining a long-term solution for our shoreline erosion. The Casey Key Shoreline Resiliency Project was initiated to address the very considerable erosion of our shoreline on Casey Key.  As a result of the work completed by the engineering firm of Humiston & Moore, Phase I identified the location and severity of our erosion issues and lays out the framework for a program to mitigate these problems.    

WE have been working for YOU!  

As we embark on Phase II, the solution design and permitting, there are still those who may not be aware of the Project or how much progress we have made.   Members of the Casey Key Shoreline Resiliency Project Working Group, and our engineering and legal professionals, have had preliminary meetings with one of our US Congressmen, our State Representative and our County Commissioner, seeking their support and access to public financing for this Project. Each of these individuals has indicated strong support for this Project subject to receiving a sound design and permitting plan with a clear pathway to public/private financing that is supported by the County Commissioners and a CLEAR MAJORITY OF CASEY KEY PROPERTY OWNERS.

Casey Key needs your Support! 

There is a need for strong community support as we embark on securing the requisite external engagement, approval, and public funding. This may seem like a herculean task, but we have found, with the support of our incredible community, anything is possible.

Fundraising for Phase II – Design and Permitting – commenced in February 2021, and we have currently raised more than $450,000 toward our $800,000 goal. It is imperative that we achieve a resident and donor base that represents a CLEAR MAJORITY OF CASEY KEY PROPERTY OWNERS to show our resolve as a community to the elected officials, whose support is essential to permitting and gaining access to direct and in-direct public funding for our Project.

When we reach these twin goals ($800K in donations and clear majority resident participation), we are reasonably confident that we can:

1. Obtain permits to bring sand to at least 4 ½ miles of our beach and to have the sand in the next 2-3 years, giving us up to 100’ of sandy beach in areas that now have little or none, and to better protect those that already have adequate sand.                                                            
2. Secure permits for suitable structures (such as groins, artificial reefs [e.g., Reef Balls] or something functionally similar) to help protect against future, rapid erosion and storm surges; and 
3. Put us in a realistic position to procure substantial County, State and Federal direct and in-direct funding for the restoration and preservation of our shoreline.

We are focused on an executable Project solution to our Shoreline Resiliency. 

Assuming we have met these 3 goals by the end of May 2021, pledges would be called, and all checks deposited into the Casey Key Ecosystem Fund at the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.  Should these goals not be achieved by the end of May 2021, the Working Group will advise all existing donors, and the CKA Board, of the status of (a) funds raised, (b) property owner participation, and (c) County, State and Federal officials support and make a Go or No-Go recommendation about continuing the Project with supporting rationale.   In the event the Project is discontinued, each donor’s Phase II pledge would be released, or check returned. 

Please consider making a tax-deductible donation in support of this project:

1. Check:   Make payable to Gulf Coast Community Foundation; include a memo or attach a letter that designates the gift to The Casey Key Ecosystem Fund ; mail to Gulf Coast Community Foundation, 601 Tamiami Trail South, Venice, FL 34285
2. Credit Card:  Go to the Gulf Coast Community Foundation website:  www.gulfcoastcf.org/give-fund; select The Casey Key Ecosystem Fund  from the drop down menu.
3. Wire/ACH, DAF grant or stock transfer: Call GCCF for assistance at 941-486-4615.   

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All contributions deposited in the Casey Key Ecosystem Fund at the Gulf Coast Community Foundation are Tax-Deductible.

Your Voice matters.

The Casey Key Association and the Casey Key Shoreline Resiliency Project Working Group are committed to providing accurate, up-to-date information regarding this project and welcome your comments.

Please visit our new website THE CASEY KEY SHORELINE RESILIENCY WEBSITE for more information and valuable updates. We welcome your feedback and comments, send your questions and/or comments to thecaseykeyassociation@gmail.com.

With deep gratitude, I would like to personally thank the more than 120 Casey Key residents who have donated to the Project since its inception.   I hope you too will support the Casey Key Shoreline Resiliency Project – the journey to protect our property depends on YOU now more than ever.