Gulf Gateway issues statement on removal of mangroves at Seven Islands

Jul 13, 2026 3 min read

Following a request for comment following the removal of mangroves along the shoreline of one of the Seven Islands without the required permits, Gulf Gateway Resort & Marina LLC has provided the following statement, which The Breeze is publishing in full:

“Gulf Gateway Resort & Marina LLC (“Gulf Gateway”) was deeply concerned to learn that mangroves on the Seven Islands property were inadvertently removed. Protecting the mangroves has been a fundamental objective throughout the planning of the Seven Islands project. Over the course of several years, Gulf Gateway has invested substantial time and resources to preserve these valuable environmental resources. Those efforts have included voluntarily redesigning portions of the project to incorporate upland retaining walls in lieu of seawalls, working collaboratively with the City of Cape Coral to modify previous design standards, and retaining industry leading environmental consultants and engineers to develop a plan that minimizes impacts to the existing mangrove habitat. These preservation plans, which are matters of public record, were prepared and submitted to the city, state, and federal regulatory agencies more than three years ago as part of the project’s original permitting process — not in response to this unfortunate incident.

“The vegetation management work that was underway on the property by the contractor was intended to be strictly limited to the removal of non-native invasive species. The contractor obtained the applicable permits from the City of Cape Coral before commencing the authorized work.

“Since learning of the incident, Gulf Gateway has been actively coordinating with various local, state and federal regulatory agencies regarding the appropriate restoration measures. On June 13, 2026, silt screens and turbidity curtains were deployed and since then the contractor has been monitoring and adjusting as necessary. Restoration plans have been submitted to the South Florida Water Management District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and are currently under review. In anticipation of receiving the necessary approvals, the project’s environmental consultants have already located a source for the replacement mangroves and other materials required to perform the restoration, including bank shoreline stabilization and replanting activities, which will begin promptly upon issuance of the required permits. Gulf Gateway will continue to work transparently with the applicable regulatory agencies throughout the restoration process.

“Vegetation management activities associated with the continued removal of non-native invasive species on Islands One through Seven will proceed only as authorized by the applicable permitting agencies and in full compliance with all regulatory requirements.

“Gulf Gateway remains fully committed to restoring the affected area, cooperating with all regulatory agencies, and continuing to develop the Seven Islands project in a manner that protects and enhances Southwest Florida’s unique natural environment.”