Pink Shell Resort Beach needs help
To the editor:
The Observer did a real community service by displaying on page 12, the predicament of the Pink Shell Resort. A beautiful resort that has been drastically shortchanged when it comes to beach space for their guests.
I have walked that beach a number of times in recent months and discussed this beach much from the president down into senior management. We need to do something to help them and others like them
Pink Shell’s skimpy beaches and even the no beach at all, have surely hurt the huge investment that this business has made
Other fine resorts on our island have the same problem, but some do not.
Why No Usable Beach?
n Pink Shell’s problem is not erosion. In 1927 much of Pink Shell property was largely under water. From 1974 to today, the Pink Shell’s beach area has doubled.
n The Pink Shell (R175-179) “accretion trend has lead to a persistent shoaling problem for Matanzas Pass”. (Data above and lots more from Coastal Engineering report P. 2)
n Pink Shell problems are that their beach has largely, and in some cases, been completely overrun by planted sea oats that spread wildly, making most of the beach unusable.
n Town officials mislead us saying that sea oats will not grow close to the Gulf. Pink Shell’S beach trauma devastates Town official’s statements. Pink Shell has Gulf water lapping up to plants, as the bottom Observer photo shows.
n Those who plant sea oats lose beach and Town Council’s plan gives no permanent protection from rampaging sea oats. Just more Town Council misinformation.
n Expect Renourishment to further hurt the Pink Shell. County has gone on record that they have no scientific data that supports storm protection.
n All Renourishment added beach is State property, not Pink Shell’s. Unless constantly raked , state land vegetation will sprout up and grow toward Pink Shell. Pink Shell has no guaranteed way to stop that vegetation from overrunning Pink Shell’s current skimpy beach.
n Then Pink Shell would be boxed in. A business critically wounded.
Pink Shell’s Solution
n Florida state law says that owners can trim sea oats.
n Town council could grant Pink Shell the right to maintain just a 10 foot strip of sea oats, closest to the buildings, per Town’s plan.
n Town could approve restoring the rest of Pink Shell’s beach to people usable conditions, giving Pink Shell over 100 feet of people friendly beach
n Town Council could support to the state, Pink Shell’s permanent request to move their Rope and Bollard fence landward to the 10 foot strip of fully contained sea oats.
If Town Council really wants to help businesses, they will implement this practical beach restoration.
July 4 reminds us that over 200 years ago, this country got its freedom from oppression.
Over a decade ago, this Town got its freedom from County’s treatment.
It is time for Council to show that they can maintain our independence from our former masters. Stop trying to pick up County’s failure pieces on Renourishment.
Time for Council to show that they can stand up for their people and not cede our prize, jewel, our beautiful beaches, to our former masters.
Cancel Renourishment now of face very unhappy voters later.
Frank Schilling
Fort Myers Beach