New and Upcoming Projects Aim to Transform, Protect Our Waterways
Article by Alex Cotleur
The federal Bureau of Land Management has begun a shoreline stabilization project along the perimeter of the lighthouse natural area. Natural and human-caused erosion will be curbed with a retaining wall and living seawall.
Paddling is a holistic investment in personal growth, well-being and ultimately our natural resources. The more time I spent on our waterways, the more I was driven to become involved and aware of what was instore and there is a lot going on! The pandemic brought an influx of new residents as well as boat, jet ski rental and tour companies making our waterways busier than we could have predicted. Mangrove islands are disappearing, and one open wake zone has become too busy to support the crowd of mixed users. Upcoming projects will soon transform the waterway landscape as we know it.
Bureau of Land Management Shoreline Stabilization and Restoration
In 2008, after a concerted effort by local environmentalists, Congress designated the Jupiter Lighthouse a Natural Outstanding Area. This designation is the only one of its kind on this side of the Mississippi River and protects the unique combination of natural, historical and cultural resources found onsite. The site is proudly managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
Make it stand out
A rendering of the limestone breakwaters that would be placed in front of each mangrove island in the Jupiter Narrows intended to protect the mangroves from more damage and create habitats for fish and new mangroves. The project is currently in the permitting stage.
The shoreline stabilization project is comprised of a terraced sheet pile retaining wall on shore and a living sea wall along the waterway. Historically, the hill was covered with Australian Pines and users would beach their boats to jump off rope swings they hung on them. The designation of Australian Pines as an exotic invasive species resulted in their removal, drawing users to a new and inviting sandhill. Use of the area evolved to climbing up the dune and sliding down the hill, contributing to accelerated erosion.
Despite BLM’s efforts to keep people off the dunes with signage, the use continued, resulting in the stabilization project that was developed in January 2022 and construction began in March 2025.
A new FWC rule, if approved by the state, would establish a idle speed zone in the Jupiter Narrows. Intended as a public safety measure, it would also help minimize the wakes on the mangrove islands set for restoration.
Jupiter Narrows Mangrove Restoration Project
The Jupiter Narrows is the area from Coral Cove south to the inlet connecting the south end of the Indian River Lagoon to the Atlantic Ocean. Its clean blue water, abundant sea life, and natural beauty draw a crowd of mixed users; even at low tide, the water is a magnificent blue. The influx of boaters and paddlers since the pandemic has also resulted in the degradation of the mangrove islands north of Cato’s Bridge. Man-groves keep our shorelines together, filter the water, and create a habitat for a variety of species. They are protected under Florida statutes with strict guidelines requiring a permit as well as a special license for legal trimming. Residents in the buildings overlooking the area witnessed the continual abuse of the mangrove islands and formed the Jupiter Narrows Conservation Alliance. They plan to revive the dying mangroves by placing a breakwater of rocks around each island. Just like the project west of the railroad tracks in the Loxa-hatchee River Embayment and designed by the same engineering company, this project features a series of low limestone barriers. These barriers help calm the waves while also creating a rocky habitat for fish and mangrove volunteers. Volunteers are naturally sprouting mangrove seeds that grow on their own, making the restoration of the mangrove area more natural. You can find more information about their efforts at jupiter-narrowsconversation.org
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Boating Restricted Area
At its February 2025 meeting, the FWC approved a final rule to establish a restricted boating area in the Jupiter Narrows. Boaters will be required to travel at idle speed from Cato’s Bridge north 2,225 feet to approximately the north end of Waterway Village. I have been following this rule for years, it has been in the works since 2006 with the first official rule passing in 2023. That rule was overturned and FWC went back to conduct another boating study. The results of the second study showed a dangerous increase from the use reported in the previous study, further justifying the rule. Passed for the purpose of public safety, this new idle zone will minimize wakes on the mangrove islands set for restoration. The rule still must go to Tallahasseefor finalization and signage needs to be created so an exact date of when enforcement will begin is notavailable. Investment in our health and our natural resources is a part of daily life in our active community of Jupiter. We are fortunate to live where residents step up to protect our natural resources. It takes a village and all it takes is finding your niche to keep your interest. Looking to connect to nature? Let’s paddle!
