Corps projects caused erosion
To the editor:
There are two areas on Estero Island that have recently experienced rapid erosion. Both were CAUSED by Army Corps of Engineers (CORPS) projects.
1. North End: The 2009 dredging of Matanzas Pass was mismanaged. The CORPS placed the dredged sand south between Diamondhead and the Red Coconut. That action robed the north end of the sand that seasonally moves to build the beach near the Pink Shell. It also blocked the longshore sand transport that naturally re-nourishes the north end. The damage increased by the removal of 2.3 acres of sand and vegetation from Bowditch Point, which changed the shape of the island and sped up the erosion as sand rushed to refill the dredged channel.
2. Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area: The sand placed by the CORPS for the Lovers Key restoration project moved into Big Carlos Pass and onto the south end of Estero Island. No project sand remains on Lovers Key. The sand “borrow site” used was the sand that used to naturally renourish Little Estero Island. Loss of the sand source combined with the changed shape of southern Estero Island has backfired into rapidly eroding the state’s Little Estero Island Critical Wildlife Area.
The CORPS plans DO NOT WORK. They cannot predict what will happen. The sand washes where it wants, often creating major damage. Surveys since 1927 show we have two short areas of mild to moderate erosion. The recent CORPS projects have now created two areas of rapid erosion!
Does this record of incompetence warrant entrusting the entire island to the CORPS artificial management program which they know will not last even seven years?
The fiscal damage is bad enough! What other damage will it bring to our island ecosystem?
Please protect our island. Do NOT sign an easement!
Joanne Shamp
Fort Myers Beach