Fly Heli Tours owner to meet with MERTF
Fort Myers Beach Marine and Environmental Resources Task Force scheduled to hear from Steve Overy Wednesday morning
Steve Overy, the owner of Fly Heli Tours, is scheduled to meet with the Fort Myers Beach Marine and Environmental Resources Task Force Wednesday to discuss plans he has for helicopter tours over Fort Myers Beach.
The meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Town of Fort Myers Beach Town Hall Council Chambers at 6231 Estero Boulevard.
Overy, who has been in talks with local, state and federal government agencies regarding his plans, recently exchanged letters with Town of Fort Myers Beach officials regarding his plans.
He currently has a vessel anchored in the area of Matanzas Pass and San Carlos Bay off Fort Myers Beach which has been used for practice flights.
In a letter sent Monday to the Town of Fort Myers Beach, Overy said he wanted to assure the town of his “continued commitment to being a responsible environmental and business partner within the community.”
Overy also said “I take seriously the concerns raised by residents and environmental advocates regarding helicopter operations. I have already met with Pod Protectors and environmental partners, and I am committed to working collaboratively toward solutions that prioritize the protection of marine life and shoreline wildlife.”
In a letter from Town of Fort Myers Beach Manager Will McKannay to Overy released by the town on Monday, McKannay said that at this time Fly Heli Tours has not violated any town ordinances, is compliant with local zoning requirements, and has met all required local restrictions.
McKannay said that “At the same time, the Town has heard concerns and frustrations expressed by members of the community. As a coastal community deeply connected to our natural environment, Fort Myers Beach takes these concerns seriously and is committed to fostering constructive dialogue that supports both responsible business operations and environmental stewardship.”
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said last week that Overy’s plans were under review. Overy said on Monday during a telephone interview with the Fort Myers Beach Observer that he did not believe he needed permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Currently, the vessel being used for a helicopter to land on and take off from is anchored outside Town of Fort Myers Beach waters. The waters are considered governed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Overy said on Monday in a phone conversation with the Observer that he could decide to move the vessel though he hasn’t decided where.
“We have the ability to move it,” Overy said. “I understand the concerns and that’s why we’re reaching out to the public.”
Overy said he has also spoke with the U.S. Coast Guard.
“There doesn’t appear to be any issues,” Overy said.
The U.S. Coast Guard did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Overy did express a concern in his letter to the town.
“I do have concerns that Fort Myers Beach is developing a reputation for being hostile toward new businesses and commerce,” he wrote.
Overy, who said he has been visiting Fort Myers Beach for decades, said “As someone who has loved this island for decades, it would be devastating to see progress stalled by an environment that discourages responsible investment. This island deserves both environmental stewardship and economic opportunity.
“I am hopeful that together we can build a path forward that supports wildlife protection, community values, and economic recovery. I remain open, transparent, and committed to working with the Town and its residents in good faith.”
McKannay said in his letter that “The town believes strongly that a thriving business community and a healthy coastal ecosystem can and should coexist. We are committed to the protection of our unique wildlife and natural resources, which are among the defining features that make Fort Myers Beach such a special place to live, work, and visit.”
“We appreciate your assurances that you have met with environmental stakeholders and have begun initiating operational adjustments aimed at minimizing disruption to local wildlife and residents,” he wrote. “The Town supports your efforts to engage with environmental partners representing the protection of dolphins, shorebirds, manatees and sea turtles, and we believe these continued conversations are essential.”
McKannay said the town’s hope is to “encourage an ongoing, collaborative partnership between Fly Heli and local environmental organizations so that thoughtful, science-based solutions can be developed that respect both aviation operations and the fragile ecosystem that surrounds them.”
“We are fortunate to have a community that cares deeply about its environment, and our wildlife is fortunate to have such dedicated advocates,” he wrote.
The flights have raised concerns from local environmentalists concerned about potential impacts on protected birds, dolphins and manatees from a barge located not far from Matanzas Island, a state-protected critical wildlife area. Environmentalists are also concerned about impacts to nesting shorebirds during shorebird nesting season, which begins next month. Concerns have also been raised by local boat charter tour captains about the impacts the noise will have to marine life and bird life, which are among the attractions for their tours.
The town is also home to four threatened shorebirds as well as the state-protected Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area.
Overy said his plans for the helicopter flights were to be 1,000 feet in the air and to avoid parks.
Overy said his helicopter was taking off and landing more than 1,000 feet away from Mantanzas Island, a state-protected bird rookery in the bay.
The Town of Fort Myers Beach has a noise ordinance, which town code enforcement has not found the flights to be in violation of.
Town of Fort Myers Beach spokesperspon Abigail Eberhart previously stated that if the helicopter tour company were to use a barge or floating platform staged from Town-controlled access points or submerged lands, additional permits could be required.
Eberhart said the town does not have jurisdiction over airspace or aircraft operations, and that any issues with the altitude of the helicopter should be forwarded to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Town permits that could be required potentially from the helicopter company, Eberhart said, would depend on whether the helicopter tour company were to propose operations physically based on Fort Myers Beach.
“The Town’s involvement would be limited to site-specific and land-use related approvals. Depending on the nature of the proposal,” Eberhart said last month.
“Aviation-related uses are not permitted by default under Town zoning,” Eberhart said in an email last month. If any town rights-of-way are used for the helicopter’s shuttle operations, landing zones, signage or staging, a right-of-way use permit would need to be applied for by the company.
Overy said during the phone conversation on Monday with the Fort Myers Beach Observer that he is currently planning to rent a slip from Moss Marina to use to transport customers for the helicopter tour company from a boat to the vessel anchored on the bay.
“The pontoon is at Moss Marina. We don’t have any affiliation (with Moss Marina),” he said.
Overy said he is just renting a boat slip from them.
Officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission met with Overy last month.
Bradley Johnson, a spokesperson with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, said the “FWC is committed to protecting Florida’s habitats and wildlife. FWC staff have proactively met with the business operator and will work with them directly to minimize impacts. The FWC will continue to offer project guidance and monitor activity to ensure Florida’s wildlife and their habitats are protected.”
In a meeting with Overy last month, Johnson said the agency discussed “regulations for critical wildlife areas, marine mammals, and protected bird species. The FWC also provided guidance on how to limit impacts.”
Overy said he has been working on plans for the tours on Fort Myers Beach for more than a year, He said on Monday “we are really trying to work hard with the community and the locals.”
Fort Myers Beach Mayor Dan Allers said he has “heard from a number of residents who have expressed concerns about potential noise and environmental impacts.”
Allers took issue with Overy’s characterization of the business climate on Fort Myers Beach. “I disagree with Mr. Overy’s statement suggesting that Fort Myers Beach is hostile toward new businesses. Our community welcomes responsible investment and entrepreneurship, if businesses operate within the established rules and regulations that protect our residents’ quality of life and our unique environment,” Allers said.
“I have encouraged Mr. Overy to maintain open dialogue with concerned residents and to collaborate closely with the relevant regulatory agencies to secure all necessary approvals and sign-offs before proceeding with his plans,” Allers said.
Overy said “we are trying our hardest to be as neighbor-friendly as we can.”