S
ylvester Stallone's proposal to install a floating barrier in the Intracoastal Waterway near his $35 million Palm Beach estate has sparked controversy among neighbors who claim it will privatize public waterways and harm local wildlife.

    The action star's sprawling property, purchased in December 2020 for $35.37 million, boasts a two-story mansion, guesthouse, pool pavilion, and private beachfront on the tranquil North End of Palm Beach. However, Stallone's application to construct an "L-shaped" floating barrier has raised concerns among neighbors who claim it will block access to a safe zone used by kayakers, paddle boarders, and young sailors.

    According to documents submitted to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the US Army Corps of Engineers, the barrier is intended to block seaweed and debris. However, public notices indicate its primary purpose is to deter boaters from approaching the estate. The structure would be anchored by nylon ropes and six submerged piles, rising 8 inches above water and sinking 10 inches below.

    Neighbors, including Bradford and Susan Gary, have expressed concerns about safety and environmental impact. They argue that seaweed accumulation in the area has never been a significant issue and that the barrier could harm federally protected species such as manatees and smalltooth sawfish. The DEP's 2022 survey found no significant seaweed accumulation in the area, leading critics to question the need for the barrier.

    The Garys have fired off letters to US Rep. Lois Frankel and the DEP, urging officials to reject the project. They claim that Stallone's team has not been transparent about the proposal and that notices were not adequately publicized, leaving them little time to mobilize opposition.

    The Army Corps is still deliberating whether a barrier designed to deter boaters can be legally permitted in a public waterway. The DEP is accepting written comments until December 25, but Stallone's representatives have yet to comment on the controversy surrounding the proposal.