Marine Resources Task Force
MRTF is pleased to report to the Fort Myers Beach Town Council on the projects it has taken up and progress in that regard. Following is a list and update on each. MRTF welcomes direction from Town Council on any of these issues.
n Managed Beach Zone Plan – The committee received an update from Environmental Sciences Coordinator Keith Laakkonen regarding the progress of the Managed Beach Zones Plan through the Florida Department of Enviromental Protection’s review. Lee County has indicated to him that the plan would satisfy their concerns as to the vegetation and dunes component of the Beach Nourishment interlocal.
n Fertilizer Ordinance Education – MRTF received a progress report from Keith Laakkonen regarding the Fertilizer Ordinance Education program. Town Council will receive a request from MRTF for approval of the program’s details at the next FMB Town Council meeting and if approved, MRTF will initiate newspaper advertising in both local papers prior to and immediately following the implementation date of the ordinance. These ads will follow up on vice chair Jeff Werner’s recent article in both papers. Jeff has also drafted a radio spot for our town radio station and will work on a Public Service Announcement to be run on the Town’s community access cable channel 98 during FMB Town Council meeting breaks. Voluntary signage is planned for our on-island fertilizer retailers. We have received cost estimates on a direct mail campaign to residents if deemed necessary, and have obtained the cooperation of the Condo Association in notifying condo representatives.
n Environmental Poster – Chair Charles Hester has volunteered to work with Keith to develop a poster to be placed in condos and other high visibility locations to educate citizens and visitors on critical conservation efforts to protect wildlife, birds, turtles and the beach environment.
n Pole & Troll Education Program — MRTF member Al Durrett volunteered to develop an educational program for back bay boaters to assist in preserving our sea grass beds in Estero Bay and will present a plan to MRTF at a future meeting.
n Keep Your Beach Beautiful Program — MRTF member Al Durrett proposed to MRTF the implementation of a program to solicit sponsorship of a litter pickup program encompassing Estero Boulevard, the beach accesses and the beachfront, similar to the Adopt-A-Highway or Adopt-A-Shore programs. MRTF believes this is a viable project and tasked Al to develop an outline for such a program.