WEEk Of OCTOBEr 9, 2024
VOLUmE 62, NUmBEr 47
City council hears report on recent storm By TIFFANY REPECKI
trepecki@breezenewspapers.com
SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
SCCF: Bald eagle nesting season begins in Florida
T
he Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation reported that Oct. 1 marked the official start of bald eagle nesting season in Florida, though the birds typically return to their nesting territories in late August or early September. The season will last through May 15. SCCF staff and their team of volunteers work together to monitor 10 nesting bald eagle pairs on North Captiva, Captiva, Sanibel, and just-off island. The SCCF coordinates with Audubon Florida’s EagleWatch program for data collection
and entry. “The eagles of Sanibel and Captiva had all returned to their nests prior to the arrival of Hurricane Helene on Sept. 26,” SCCF shorebird biologist Audrey Albrecht said. The shorebird team completed a post-Hurricane Helene check on Oct. 1, and all the eagle nests were accounted for. Some eagle pairs were already seen tending to their nests. “Since Hurricane Ian in 2022, bald eagles on the islands
The Sanibel City Council received an update on Hurricane Helene and the city's stormwater management at its recent meeting, as well as agreed to support a grant application request to Lee County from Community Housing & Resources for funding to construct new housing units. On Oct. 1, city officials gave a presentation on the preparation and response to the storm, as well as provided an overview of the city's stormwater management practices for review and discussion. City Manager Dana Souza opened by explaining that Sanibel was affected in “two waves”: by the initial outer bands and winds during the day, then the surge See CITY COUNCIL, page 18
IslanderInsIde
See BALD EAGLE NESTING SEASON, page 18
County board OKs design contacts for causeway projects On Oct. 1, the Lee County Board of County Commissioners voted to award design contracts for public amenities on the Sanibel Causeway Islands and the Punta Rassa Boat Ramp, which were heavily damaged by Hurricane Ian in September of 2022. The county reported that facilities at both sites remain closed to accommodate the Florida Department of Transportation's effort to restore the causeway. Ian reshaped the Causeway Islands, which are spoil islands. Efforts to restore facilities are focused on creating more resilient spoil islands. The $1.31 million contract with Fort Myers-based Johnson Engineering will
restore the damaged areas and facilities. Improvements will include site access and parking areas, landscape and irrigation improvements, site drainage and water management areas, restrooms and shade structures, beach access and ADA accommodations. This portion of the project will be funded through the Florida Division of Emergency Management's (FDEM) Legislative Appropriations Program and Tourist Development Beach Capital Improvement Fund. The design phase of the Causeway Islands project is expected to be complete next summer. The $572,410 contract for design services for the Punta Rassa Boat Ramp will
include the boat ramp and dock and work to restore the drainage and water management areas, along with the lift station and sewer service to the fish cleaning station. The covered pay kiosk and fish cleaning station, as well as the site lighting, signage and landscaping, will also be replaced. This portion of the project will be funded through the FDEM's Legislative Appropriations Program Fund. The design phase of the project is expected to be complete in the spring. Additional work will be required to restore the bay waterways near the boat ramp before it can be reopened for recreational use.
alsOInsIdetOday Guest Commentary........................4 Web Poll.........................................4 Captiva Current..........................6-7 Business......................................8 Preserving Paradise.....................12 Island Living................................14 Sports.........................................16 Classifieds 31
Residential Customer ECRWSS
ft mYErS, fL Permit #5733
PrSTD STD US POSTAGE PAID