Slick County take-over of our Beach
To the editor:
Lee County is proposing a new navigation improvement plan to replace their dead beach re-nourishment project. But look at County’s slick process!
– County’s Money Grab
County is applying for $750, 000 from the West Coast Inland Navigation District, calling this a navigation project. They asked the Florida Dept. of Environmental Protection for $2 million, and the independent Tourist Development Council for $1,250,000. Total $4 million.
In addition they ask our Town for $250,000 for a navigation project.
Once again, Lee County is missing in action. Zero, zip funds from Lee County for a navigation project. Will Town Council get suckered again?
– Property Rights Confiscation
County plans to keep all 4.6 miles of Storm Damage Reduction easements, that it has gathered in 12 years of owner harassment about storm protection need.
Those easements are now magically changed into navigation improvement easements.
County does not agree to rescind and remove from the record the droves of easements rescinded, when this became a vegetated beach re-nourishment program.
By not canceling the beach re-nourishment project with their navigation switcheroo, County keeps the Erosion Control Line. The ECL is set up for beach re-nourishment and confiscates owners’ property rights seaward of that line.
Killing re-nourishment would allow owners to legally petition for the return of their property rights seaward of the dead ECL.
– More Erosion Creation
The botched Matanzas Pass dredging last summer is widely recognized as creating quick erosion in the Bowditch Point area.
At Bowditch Point, County plans to use a fixed groin design. Yet, FDEP has gone on record that this design causes beach erosion.
County continues to reject new technology. Yet, County admits the problems they have had at Bowditch point for the last 50 years. Sand washed away eight times and last summer’s effort caused more erosion.
Since this is now officially a navigation project, Town Council have the rights and is obligated by their Land Development code to require a Town permit for this project.
Time to cancel the contract with County. Start over fresh without new technology blinders.
Frank Schilling
Fort Myers Beach