Shoreline stabilization effort underway at Seven Islands
Remediation is apparently in the works at a development site in Cape Coral that saw protected mangroves removed.
According to officials involved in the project, Gulf Gateway Resort & Marina, LLC has been actively coordinating with local, state and federal agencies regarding restoration measures since learning that mangroves had been inadvertently removed from the Seven Islands Property, a spokesperson told The Breeze via email.
“The South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) have approved the bank stabilization plan, which includes reshaping the shoreline and stabilizing the bank to help prevent erosion,” said Sarah Flynn, a Forest Development spokesperson.
The work began Tuesday, Aug. 18, and will address approximately 545 linear feet of shoreline and is expected to be completed within four weeks of commencement, she wrote.
Flynn said once the bank stabilization work is complete, and upon approval of the mangrove restoration plan by the applicable agencies, mangrove replanting will begin.
Forest Development did not have the necessary permits in hand when the mangroves along the shoreline of one of the Seven Islands were removed during land clearing at the site.
While the city of Cape Coral had issued a permit for land clearing, the Army Corps of Engineers had not issued permits for the removal of mangroves along the shoreline of one of the manmade “hammer-head” islands.
According to Cape Coral officials, the city does not issue permits specifically for shoreline work.
Activities involving shoreline alteration, particularly those affecting mangroves or other protected resources, are regulated by state and federal agencies, including the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the USACE.
To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com