Lovers Key beach to be re-nourished in 2012
Lovers Key State Park has been approved to undergo a beach restoration project during the fiscal year 2011/12, according to recent documentation by the Lee County Board of County Commissioners.
The state park, which is located on County Road 865 between Fort Myers Beach and Bonita Beach, possesses 2.5 miles of beachfront that has been deemed as eroded to the point it creates intrusion for both habitat and visitors.
Lovers Key Assistant Park Manager Matt Kruse attended the BOCC weekly meeting on Tuesday, Aug, 30, and offered public input before the approval was made.
“Beach re-nourishment would certainly improve facilities that we provide to Lee County residents and international visitors and improve the quality for wildlife at Lovers Key,” he said.
When reached by phone, Kruse pointed out how important the future restoration would have on the protection of nesting sea turtles and shore birds as well as helping to generate revenues for the park’s daily operations and recreational facilities.
“Our park brings in almost a quarter of million visitors annually and is funded partly by user fees,” he said. “We’ve seen a decrease in shorebird nesting and sea turtle nesting in the past years with the erosion we’ve received.”
Recent visits to the state park have proved that sand placement is needed. At high tide, the beach along Lovers Key State Park is almost nonexistent. Waves swallow up the beach and leave barely any beach for park visitors to enjoy. They also sometimes reach the embankment, posing a threat to the staked off shorebird areas behind.
The Lovers Key project is part of the Bonita Beach restoration. Coastal Technology Corporation of Sarasota was awarded as consultants to the overall project. Florida Dredge & Dock, currently involved with the Estero Island Restoration project, will be the construction manager.
The overall project cost of design and permitting is not to exceed $413,748 with a breakdown of $248,250 for Lovers Key and $165,498 for Bonita Beach.
On Aug. 30, the BOCC also approved to transfer $136,144 from Lee County Tourist Development Council Beach Reserves to the Lovers Key Beach Restoration project.
“We are always protecting those beaches,” stated Commissioner Tammy Hall at the meeting. “I don’t want to lose sight that our number 1 objective with that fund is our beaches, clean water and making sure we have an environment that’s consistent. That’s what saved us during the recession. When visitors had a choice, they came to our beaches because we have a great product that ensures them of a great experience with their families.”
While the restoration is expected to occur in 2012, one of the project stipulations was reported to be a construction expiration date of January 2013. The project contractor is expected to bring in 200,000 cubic yards for sand placement.
Lovers Key State Park beachfront was last restored in 2004. The project was put on hold due to Hurricane Charley that fall.