Marco Island Project Proposers
The Proposers of the Marco Island Initiative bring over 65 years of blue-green infrastructure construction, ecological restoration, and civil engineering experience.
Marco Island has grappled with water quality issues within its inland canals for years. The C-HAWQ Initiative proposes an unsolicited public-private partnership (“P3”) with the City of Marco Island to fund, design, and build island habitats using the dredged canal material. The P3 would be an important relationship between the City and the proposing general contractor, Earthwerks Land Improvement & Development Corp, to execute the project fully. The project timeline would take approximately 2 years to complete after permitting with 3 additional years of monitoring and maintenance of the islands.
This P3 structure is supported by Section 255.065, Florida Statutes, and has been successfully used around the state to enable local municipalities to accomplish otherwise impossible projects.
The new islands are inspired by the mangrove islands surrounding Marco Island and in the Ten Thousand Islands. Islands would be shaped to fit any existing sand bars or natural structures. Where islands do not exist today, islands would be intentionally designed for unnavigable areas or areas with poor water quality.
Sheet pile, limestone rock, and oyster reefs would provide the foundation of the islands. Native vegetation would be planted on the islands to provide additional structure, storm resiliency, sound deadening, and filtration.
Sediment in the canals is already frequently re-disturbed by boating and storms and continues to rerelease nutrients into the water. By removing this sediment it would remove the nutrients that are being resuspended, which is degrading the water quality.
Land sites would be partially vegetated with mangroves, which have proven in projects around the globe to be incredible water sequestration and filtration species. Scientific studies have shown mangroves and salt marshes can remove 70% of nitrogen and 80% of phosphates in runoff, improve dissolved oxygen, and remove suspended solids.
By using mangroves, seagrasses, and oyster reefs on the land sites, it would create habitat for animals that filter particulates and attract other species, diversifying the ecosystem in the canals, indirectly improving the water quality. For example, oyster reefs would attract macro-invertebrates (clams, oysters, shrimp, etc.) that eat particulates and microorganisms, which would improve the water quality directly.
The Proposers of the Marco Island Initiative bring over 65 years of blue-green infrastructure construction, ecological restoration, and civil engineering experience.
Owner and operator of award winning general contractor and construction firm, Earthwerks Land Improvement & Development. Dan has over 30 years experience designing, building and consulting on publicly funded projects. These projects are specialized in natural infrastructure including inland dredging, river restoration, storm mitigation and dam removal.
Dan has been a part-time resident of Marco Island for the last 25 years and enjoys fishing and boating the waters of Marco and SW Florida.
Owner and president of environmental design and construction firm, ENCAP, Inc. Jonathan has 22 years experience designing, executing, building, and managing environmental designs for public and private projects. These projects are specialized in stream restoration, soil erosion & sediment control, and native vegetation planting and maintenance. Jonathan also volunteers as a board member of the Great Lakes Chapter of the International Erosion Control Association.
Dr. Burke is a distinguished professional civil engineer with a PhD in Civil Engineering from Purdue University. He founded the consulting firm which bears his name over 39 years ago and remains Chief Executive Officer. The firm is held in high esteem in countless municipalities, agencies, and organizations. He retains the honor of Distinguished Engineering Alumni and an Honorary Doctorate from Purdue University, where the hydraulics laboratory and Graduate School in Civil Engineering Hall the family name. He also received and honorary doctorate from the University of Illinois. His passion for engineering is demonstrated by his technical publications and dedication to the University of Illinois Chicago where he has taught since 2002 without compensation. He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, National Academy of Construction, and a ASCE Distinguished Member. He is acting as a non-compensated member of the Team.
Professional Engineer licensed and practicing in Illinois and pursuing a license in Florida. Approximately 15 years of experience, specializing in field engineering for public-sector construction projects. Experienced with both administering Public contracts as a Consultant Engineer, and field engineering as a Contractor.
Assistant Vice President and Ecological Consulting Director of environmental design and construction firm, ENCAP, Inc. out of DeKalb, Illinois. Susan has over 20 years of experience delineating, permitting, designing, monitoring, researching, surveying, and managing environmental projects.
These projects are specialized in wetlands, streams, prairies, woodlands, shoreline habitats, mitigation banks, and native restoration/ maintenance. Susan is a Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS), a Certified Arborist, a Certified Prescribed Burn Manager, and is LEED AP Certified.
Ecological Restoration Superintendent at environmental design and construction firm, ENCAP, Inc., located in DeKalb, Illinois. Sam has over 12 years of experience with natural areas management, invasive species management plans, plant community monitoring, wildlife monitoring, wetland delineation, permitting, and habitat planning.
Sam’s work has encompassed a range of restoring severely degraded habitats to stewardship and land planning for sensitive ecosystems with conservative and/or rare species. Sam is an ISA Certified Arborist, a Certified Prescribed Burn Manager and is PADI certified.
Zachary (“Zach”) W. Lombardo is an associate attorney at Woodward, Pires & Lombardo, P.A. He is a Board Certified Specialist in City, County & Local Government Law by The Florida Bar and is the City Attorney for Everglades City. He frequently appears before the Marco Island Planning Board, the Marco Island City Council, the Collier County Planning Commission, the Collier County Hearing Examiner, and the Board of County Commissioners of Collier County. He is an experienced litigator in state and federal court both at a trial court level and on appeal.
Managing partner of Luetkehans, Brady, Garner & Armstrong since 1997 out of West Chicago, Illinois, Phil is a highly accomplished, licensed attorney with deep experience in working with municipalities and government at every level. Phil is licensed to practice in Illinois and before all of the federal courts in Illinois, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. He is a member of the Trial Bar for the Northern District of Illinois and has also practiced before courts in Texas, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Indiana.
Emily Begin is the project manager of the Marco Island C-HAWQ Initiative helping with the launch of C-HAWQ’s first project.
C-HAWQ’s multi-faceted services combine environmental science, innovative engineering, and a deep commitment to preserving the beauty of Florida’s waterways. Together with city officials, stakeholders, and Florida residents, we are building a stronger, healthier future—one community at a time.
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