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Be a friend to wildlife; nix Piney Point project

By Staff | Jul 29, 2021

To the editor:

As President of Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife, the proposed development of the Piney Point wetlands that is located in Cape Coral directly south of Rotary Park is to me problematic on many levels. The plans call for 800 residential units, 300 hotel rooms, 38,000 square feet of commercial space.

The impact on all the wildlife that call that area home will be devastating. The development will eliminate approximately 100 acres of habitat for a variety of species: migratory and non-migratory birds, bobcats and coyotes, among other mammals, and many amphibians, mollusks and crabs that support the delicate food chain. It would bisect a total property size of 350 acres making wildlife movement challenging.

Dredging would be required to create the 200-slip marina and would have an additional environmental effect on the aquatic life of the Caloosahatchee River, notably manatees and small tooth sawfish.

Furthermore, the loss of critical wetlands that buffer the city from storms would raise the risk of flooding.

There is another set of issues: access to this property, that is essentially landlocked; the impact to Cape Coral’s infrastructure and utilities; as well as services such as the Fire Department.

On a personal note, I reside on Pelican Parkway just north of Rotary Park and frequently take my morning walks through Rotary Park and down Rose Garden to the Glover Bight boardwalk trail to the river. That will no longer be a serene experience with all the noise of the construction equipment and future increased traffic. The quality of life for many residents like me will be severely impacted in the short and long term.

I appeal to those that have authority, not to allow a bad idea to become a reality.

Paul Bonasia

President

Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife

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