WEEK OF MARCH 29, 2023
VOLUME 61, NUMBER 19
Refuge to reopen Wildlife Drive, center and Bailey Tract To celebrate the 120th anniversary of the National Wildlife Refuge System on March 14, the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel announced the rollout of its post-Hurricane Ian reopenings. On Sept. 28, the near Category 5 storm ravaged the refuge's habitat and facilities, triggering the closure of all its waters and land to public access. On Feb. 1, the refuge reopened the Tarpon Bay Recreation Area. On April 4, it will reopen the gate to Wildlife Drive for the first time with a Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce ribboncutting ceremony at 9:30 a.m. The refuge's Visitor & Education Center and Bailey Tract will also reopen that day. “The 'Ding' team, with help from refuge crews around the U.S., has been working nonstop to get parts of the refuge open so the public can once again view the wildlife, which has made a remarkable comeback since Hurricane Ian, especially the birds,” Refuge Complex Project Leader Kevin Godsea said. “It's fitting that we make the auspicious, highly anticiSee REFUGE, page 11
Two sworn in on city council, leaders picked By TIFFANY REPECKI
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
Two incumbents re-elected to the Sanibel City Council earlier this month by the island's voters were sworn in at the council's recent meeting, then the council selected the new mayor and vice mayor. On March 21, Councilmembers Richard Johnson and Holly D. Smith were sworn into office by City Clerk Scotty Lynn Kelly. Both were re-elected during the city's Regular Election held on March 7. Following the oaths of office, Johnson was nominated to serve as mayor for the new year. The council voted unanimously 5-0 to approve his election to the seat. “Fellow councilmembers, thank you. It's an honor and a privilege to serve as your leader for council in this role,” Johnson said. “I have a terribly tough act to follow, and I will do my absolute level best.” He also took a moment to acknowledge Smith's role as the past mayor. “I want to recognize Holly, and the tremendous work that you've done under tremendously difficult circumstances,” See COUNCIL, page 12
IslanderInsIde
Red tide subsiding in Southwest Florida, SCCF reports The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation reported that Southwest Florida residents and spring breakers can literally breathe a sigh of relief. Over the past weeks, red tide has subsided in the region. As of March 17, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported 18 out of 79 samples along the Gulf Coast taken the week prior contained bloom levels of the red tide-causing organism Karenia brevis, primarily in Pinellas County to the north. In Lee County, samples had background to low concentrations. “Beaches in Lee County were recently covered in thousands of decomposing fish, and beach-goers were exposed to brevetoxins released by K. brevis,” SCCF Research and Policy Associate Leah Reidenbach said on March 22. “Today, our beaches are safer and more pleasant.” On some beaches dead fish have been manually removed, and in other areas
alsOInsIdetOday SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
many fish were naturally washed away by the tide. “With Lake Okeechobee at 14.87 feet today, we're still concerned about getting the lake low enough before the wet season begins and about the ecology of the lake, which requires lower-stage levels to support wading bird populations at this time
of year,” she said. “That said, with releases to the northern estuaries and lack of substantial rainfall, the lake stage has been declining steadily with a decrease of 0.85 feet in the past month.” The SCCF reported that it will continue to monitor lake levels, estuary flows, and red tide.
Guest Commentary........................4 Web Poll.........................................4 Captiva Current..........................6-7 Business......................................8 Preserving Paradise.....................13 Island Living................................14 Sports.........................................15 Classifieds 24