News
Fort Myers Beach [Florida] leaders Monday unanimously agreed to move forward with beach restoration, but the project is far from a sure thing on an island where some residents see no benefits to a wider shoreline.
"There's a bigger picture that I'm afraid just has not been addressed and needs to be addressed now," said Tom Merrill, an island resident.
The project, as proposed more than two years ago, is to cost $10.5 million and extend the beach 150 feet over 4.7 miles on the northern half of the island.
Monday's decision to OK the project also includes an offer from the town to contribute up to $1 million for the project.
Three residents spoke against the project at the meeting, but many more have reservations, evidenced by many Gulf-front resident's refusal to sign easements to allow workers to place equipment and work on private property.
Still, the five-person council decided beach restoration needs to be taken to the next level - to Lee County, state and federal representatives who have offered to provide funding for the project.
"I think we need to do beach renourishment for the sake of the whole island," said Councilman Bob Raymond.
The project was stalled two years ago when Council questioned how much sand was needed, where it should be placed and how much the town should fund. The town conducted a beach erosion assessment last year and learned that Estero Island had not lost as much sand as presumed.
Those issues will now be discussed between the town and the county, state and federal government.
Opponents worry that beach restoration is an attempt to bring in more tourists and does not address the expected increase in traffic that will come with more visitors. Merrill said the town should ask the county for money to improve Estero Boulevard, the island's thoroughfare.
JoAnn Shamp, who represented the island at a three-day Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association in September 2007 at Boca Raton, told the council that she spoke with numerous scientists and researchers told her beach replenishment provides no hurricane protection and could actually harm the environment.
But John Albion, president of the Greater Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce, said, from his experience, beach restoration will protect residents. Lee County Commissioner Ray Judah said the town needs to move forward quickly with beach restoration because funds offered by federal officials may not be available much longer. The federal government is eligible to pay up to 63 percent of the costs.
"The window of opportunity is closing rapidly," Judah said.
Fort Myers Beach is the last of six beaches to be restored. Some of the renourished beaches include Gasparilla Island beach, Bonita Beach and Lovers Key State Park.
"There's a bigger picture that I'm afraid just has not been addressed and needs to be addressed now," said Tom Merrill, an island resident.
The project, as proposed more than two years ago, is to cost $10.5 million and extend the beach 150 feet over 4.7 miles on the northern half of the island.
Monday's decision to OK the project also includes an offer from the town to contribute up to $1 million for the project.
Three residents spoke against the project at the meeting, but many more have reservations, evidenced by many Gulf-front resident's refusal to sign easements to allow workers to place equipment and work on private property.
Still, the five-person council decided beach restoration needs to be taken to the next level - to Lee County, state and federal representatives who have offered to provide funding for the project.
"I think we need to do beach renourishment for the sake of the whole island," said Councilman Bob Raymond.
The project was stalled two years ago when Council questioned how much sand was needed, where it should be placed and how much the town should fund. The town conducted a beach erosion assessment last year and learned that Estero Island had not lost as much sand as presumed.
Those issues will now be discussed between the town and the county, state and federal government.
Opponents worry that beach restoration is an attempt to bring in more tourists and does not address the expected increase in traffic that will come with more visitors. Merrill said the town should ask the county for money to improve Estero Boulevard, the island's thoroughfare.
JoAnn Shamp, who represented the island at a three-day Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association in September 2007 at Boca Raton, told the council that she spoke with numerous scientists and researchers told her beach replenishment provides no hurricane protection and could actually harm the environment.
But John Albion, president of the Greater Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce, said, from his experience, beach restoration will protect residents. Lee County Commissioner Ray Judah said the town needs to move forward quickly with beach restoration because funds offered by federal officials may not be available much longer. The federal government is eligible to pay up to 63 percent of the costs.
"The window of opportunity is closing rapidly," Judah said.
Fort Myers Beach is the last of six beaches to be restored. Some of the renourished beaches include Gasparilla Island beach, Bonita Beach and Lovers Key State Park.
