Duck Key Breakwall Restoration Complete: A Milestone for Our Community

Dear Duck Key Property Owners, 

We are pleased to announce the successful completion of the $3.3 million Duck Key Breakwall Restoration Project. This important accomplishment restores one of our community's most vital hurricane protection systems while also creating a new living shoreline that will provide lasting environmental and resilience benefits for generations to come. 

This achievement represents years of dedication, collaboration, and persistence. 

The effort began in 2019 when the Duck Key Property Owners Association (DKPOA) partnered with Monroe County's Chief Resilience Officer, Rhonda Haag, to evaluate the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Irma and develop a comprehensive restoration plan. 

DKPOA led numerous meetings with Monroe County officials and presented the need for funding to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) on March 16, 2022. At the August 17, 2022 BOCC meeting, Rhonda Haag presented the proposed Duck Key project as part of the State's Resilient Florida Program. The BOCC approved the application, and in February 2023 the State awarded the grant. On September 20, 2023, the BOCC formally approved the $3,327,266 Florida Department of Environmental Protection grant, requiring no local matching funds, and authorized the County Administrator to execute the agreement. 

Following the grant award, Monroe County completed the engineering design, biological studies, environmental permitting through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and contractor bidding process. 

The completed project restored the Breakwall to its original design elevation while incorporating extensive mangrove plantings to establish a resilient living shoreline that enhances both storm protection and the surrounding marine environment. 

Special recognition goes to LPS Contracting, owned by Duck Key resident Tom Merryman, whose dedicated crews worked seven days a week to complete construction before the June 30, 2026, grant deadline. 

See the LPS Video Recap

The only remaining item is the replacement of several channel markers damaged during construction. LPS will reinstall these markers once the required permits have been issued. 

This project would not have been possible without the exceptional leadership of Rhonda Haag, whose vision, expertise, and determination secured the grant funding, guided the permitting process, obtained all necessary approvals, and provided oversight throughout construction. 

We also extend our sincere appreciation to the DKPOA Board members whose years of tireless work navigating government agencies, coordinating with Monroe County, and advocating for our community helped make this restoration a reality. Their persistence ensured that this critical project was completed at no cost to Monroe County taxpayers or Duck Key property owners. 

A Brief History 

Duck Key is a unique island community located at Mile Marker 61 along the Overseas Highway in the Florida Keys. Developed during the 1950s and 1960s, the island encompasses approximately one square mile and features an extensive system of interior canals providing water access to nearly 500 homes. Approximately 70 residences front directly on the Atlantic Ocean. 

The island's Breakwall extends along the eastern and southern shorelines, protecting the community from the Atlantic Ocean. Originally constructed using material excavated during canal construction, the Breakwall has served as Duck Key's first line of defense against storms for decades. 

Following Hurricane Georges in 1998, the Breakwall was significantly strengthened between 2000 and 2002 through the installation of massive coral boulders anchored into the underlying caprock with stainless steel rods. This reinforced structure proved highly effective in protecting the island from storm surge, waves, and floating debris. 

However, Hurricane Irma in 2017 generated unprecedented forces that broke many of the stainless-steel anchors and displaced numerous boulders into the ocean, leaving sections of the Breakwall severely compromised. 

Today, thanks to the combined efforts of DKPOA, Monroe County, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, and many dedicated individuals, Duck Key once again has the protection its residents deserve. 

This restoration is more than a construction project—it is an investment in the safety, resilience, environmental health, and future of our entire community. 

Sincerely, 

Your all-volunteer DKPOA Board: Ron Oestreicher, President; John Schwarz, VP; Karen White, Secretary; Jan Anderson, Treasurer; Directors: Dr. James Bicknell, Missy Coleman, Barbara McKinney, and John Wolfe