Governor Ron DeSantis Announces Major Milestone to Advance EAA Reservoir Project On April 22, 2021, in News Releases, by Staff
South Florida Water Management District Approves Final Agreement with U.S. Army Corps, Reservoir Component to Start Construction This Year
Wellington, Fla. – Today, Governor Ron DeSantis was joined by Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Secretary Noah Valenstein and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) to announce significant progress on the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) Reservoir Project.
The South Florida Water Management District Governing Board unanimously approved an agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers this morning that keeps the Corps on track to begin federal construction on the reservoir component this year. In April 2020, Governor DeSantis announced that the South Florida Water Management District began construction on the State of Florida’s component
Mind Your Line partners urge responsible fishing
By SCCF - | Apr 21, 2021
Mind Your Line, a collaborative effort among Sanibel-Captiva conservation organizations, is asking fishing enthusiasts especially users of the Punta Rassa Boat Ramp to use smart practices to protect the region’s brown pelicans.
The pelican is protected by the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty and included in the state’s Imperiled Species Management Plan, the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation reported. Nonetheless, a leading cause of lethal injury in pelicans and other shorebirds is fishing hooks and monofilament entanglement.
The pandemic led to an increase in anglers on the water seeking outdoor, socially distanced recreation or fishing to feed their families in the face of economic hardship. As a result, many boat ramps and fishing piers have seen an uptick in the number of injured and entangled wildlife, particularly pelicans.
First snowy plover nest of season roped off
By SCCF - | Apr 21, 2021
SCCF
Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation shorebird biologist Audrey Albrecht reported that her volunteer team roped off its first snowy plover nest of the season on April 6 on Sanibel’s east end.
The volunteers named the plover “Pale Male.” He was shading the single light brown-speckled egg, which blends in with the sand and shells, while his mate was off feeding to get energy to lay the next egg.
“We also have another area posted on the east end where our snowy plovers usually nest,” Albrecht said. “There are two pairs that will likely nest there soon.”
CEPD OKs funding request by panel committee
By TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com - | Apr 20, 2021
The Captiva Erosion Prevention District’s commission approved providing funds to the Captiva Community Panel’s Sea Level Rise Committee for adaptation planning at its recent meeting, as well as discussed bathroom maintenance and proposed upgrades for the Alison Hagerup Beach Park lot.
On April 12, the commissioners readdressed a request from the panel’s committee asking that the CEPD contribute all or partial funding for a $34,400 proposal from Integral Consulting. At the CEPD’s March meeting, a motion to provide the committee with $10,000 for the project died in a 1-3 vote.
CCP hears about iguana MSTU and funding sought for projects
By TIFFANY REPECKI / trepecki@breezenewspapers.com - | Apr 20, 2021
During its recent meeting, the Captiva Community Panel received updates on the iguana MSTU petitions and needed funds it has been seeking to proceed with two projects tied to its committees.
On April 13, Administrator Ken Gooderham told that panel that Treasurer Tony Lapi and Panel Member John Jensen recently manned an informational booth at the post office to educate property owners on the MSTU being proposed to pay for iguana control services and to gather petitions.
He thanked them, noting that their effort resulted in the return of a few more petitions.