Reader says “beach shell game continues”
To the Editor:
The “beach shell game” continues. What should people believe?
This we know. After ten years of sales pitches on Beach Re-Nourishment, Lee County has admitted that it is not viable after the droves of recissions of easements. Now, private property owners (both business and residents) signed easements to total just 28 percent.
Fort Myers Beach Town Council has taken the lead from the failed 10-year county easement effort. Council directed mailings to non easement signers last week
n What has Council changed. Council is now claiming property protection with Re-Nourishment. There is wind damage and rising water damage from storms. Council is saying that 160 feet of beach protects your building property from storms in some fashion.
n Ten years ago, the county claimed property protection, also. With zero proof of building protection, the county was laughed out of town.
n Council calls this a Storm Damage Reduction Easement. County call this a Beach Damage Reduction easement.. Big difference! County’s renourishment justication to the Feds was officially 88 percent for recreation. Nothing about building protection.
n Council claims “erosion of our beach is a continuous threat”, and we need “long-term stability.”
n Council’s own independent engineering report and ditto for county’s
independent engineering report said our beaches are stable except for two modest erosion areas. County’s plan gives the worst erosion area the least beach widening!
n What has council not changed? County’s easement document allows county to do any work at any time on an owner’s property for 10 years that county wants to do. Check a lawyer.
n County plans to plough up owners’ easement areas 24 inches deep four times, if they deem your beach too compact. How does this help beach stability that council says is needed?
n It would appear that none of the the Council’s documents about dunes and vegetation or anything else are binding on County unless incorporated into the easement document by named attachment. Owners have no apparent dune and vegetation permanent containment. Check a lawyer.
n Your easement grants county the right to do any work on owners’ property that they consider necessary “together with right of public use.” Better check a lawyer!
As the Town of Fort Myers Beach has escalated owner visitations and council increased easement education programs, easement signers have rescinded in droves.
An informed public makes better decisions!
Frank Schilling
Fort Myers Beach