Ruth Hague

Protect Our Wetlands in Cape Coral will hold a public meeting from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at the Cape Coral Library.

The meeting is being held by a growing number of residents who are actively opposing the Redfish Pointe development on wetlands in Cape Coral that serve as a natural buffer against storms. We argue that the wetlands are vital for the safety and well-being of the community, and that destroying them would increase the risk of flooding and erosion.

The turnout for Protect Our Wetlands in Cape Corals’ first public meeting on July 15 at Rotary Park exceeded expectations, filling the venue with nearly 200 people and spilling over to the outside. Another public meeting is planned for Dec. 5 to include the snowbirds who could not make the first meeting and to provide updates on the proposed project.

Join us for an informative and engaging session on mangroves and wetlands, their vital role in our ecosystem, and why they are so important for our community. Our keynote speaker is Matt DePaolis, the environmental policy director of Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation. Matt has a master’s degree in marine biology and a law degree with certificates in environmental and ocean and coastal law from the University of Oregon. He will share his insights and expertise on wetland conservation and restoration. We will also hear from Joseph Bonasia, the SWFL Regional Director of FloridaRightToCleanWater.org and Citizens’ Climate Lobby Volunteer Liaison to U.S. Sen. Rick Scott’s office. Joseph will talk about the current challenges and opportunities for protecting our water resources and climate. There will be a Q&A session after the presentations, so bring your questions and comments.

We will be inviting the Cape Coral City Council and mayor along with Lee County commissioners and encourage them to address the residents attending. Our venue has the capacity for 190 residents.

Among other actionable events, residents have launched a petition, organized public meetings, marches, and frequently attend city council meetings voicing their opposition.

The petition, now with more than 3,600 signatures, urges the Cape Coral City Council to stop the Redfish Pointe development project that we believe would destroy the wetlands and uplands south of Rotary Park. These natural areas are vital for storm protection; storm damage from Hurricane Ian would have been worse for residents in southwest Cape Coral if not for hundreds of acres of wetlands, including mangroves, which lie in the area being proposed for development.

The proposed development would be built on 110 acres of wetlands and uplands currently officially designated as nature preserves. Development would call for 800 homes, 300 hotel rooms, 38,000 square feet of commercial space, and a 200-slip marina on land that is currently preserved. (More information at protectourwetlandsincapecoral.org.)

“Hard to believe that after last year’s experience with Ian that the financial gain of a few, takes precedence over the community’s long-term safety and protection of our nature,” writes one concerned resident.

“This proposed development” writes another, “will wreak havoc on the southern Cape Coral wildlife and storm protection. We need all the mangroves we presently have and more!”

Resident concerns are similar to those of city department heads:

“This project seems inconsistent with the city’s conservation and coastal management GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND POLICIES,” the city’s Public Works Environmental Resources manager stated in a 2021 city document made available through a public records request. (Her caps.)

Additionally, she notes that the area is home to protected species such as bald eagles and that “potential impacts to critical sawfish populations and manatee populations are substantial.”

She points out that “Removal of mangroves would weaken the buffering capacity of the mangrove area which protects the city against storms,” and that “Placing infrastructure, residences, businesses, and people in a wetland that has very poor drainage and in the coastal flood zone has potentially extensive impacts financially, for livelihood or life in general.”

Residents also oppose the development because it would:

n Compromise the city’s natural storm protections provided by wetlands on this property, thereby increasing the risk of flooding and storm damage to homes in SW Cape Coral. 

n Violate the intent of a Conservation Easement established in 1991 between the City of Cape Coral and the State Department of Environmental Regulation. 

n Destroy critical habitat for Cape Coral wildlife including protected species.

n Substantially and permanently increase traffic, destroying the peaceful character of the community, especially during the long construction phase.

n Significantly impairs the ecology, hydrology, natural character and appeal of Rotary Park.

n Place excessive burden upon city infrastructure.

The Cape Coral Library is at 921 SW 39th Terrace, Cape Coral.

For more information:

Website: https://protectourwetlandsincapecoral.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/782429800094706

Petition: https://www.change.org/p/oppose-redfish-pointe-development-south-of-rotary-park-and-protect-wetlands-in-cape-coral

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ProtectOurWetlandsinCapeCoral

Ruth Hague is the communications coordinator for Protect Our Wetlands in Cape Coral.