by SC Staff Writer Jan Holly
City Council declared a State of Local Emergency to provide shoreline erosion protection along Sanibel-Captiva Road at its special meeting Dec. 19 at City Hall. The resolution authorizes “emergency shore fortification to protect the integrity of certain vulnerable portions of Sanibel Captiva Road.” The emergency, temporary work will be followed by a permanent protection project.
The area of critical need lies near Blind Pass and The Castaways cottages. “How we manage Blind Pass—there is northern pressure,” Natural Resources Director James Evans said. “Rock structures cause down drift erosion. The erosion down drift from Blind Pass is significant.”
The project will include placement of 100 one-ton sand bags to fortify the shoreline. “We are monitoring the location daily to keep track of any additional erosion,” Director of Community Services Keith Williams said.
“All summer long, beaches accrete,” Evans added. “We lose sand during winter months. Erosion is coming up to the road, and the old wooden sea wall is exposed. This is a primary evacuate route.”
Evans projected a timeline calling for construction to begin in March. Construction will be complete before sea turtle nesting season, which begins May 1.
Cost of the emergency protection project is $38,450. Completion of the ensuing permanent project will bring the funding requirement to $1.4 million.
To support the project, the City will apply for emergency funding through the Tourism Development Council. “It’s obvious that we need to do something, but funding is a concern,” Vice Mayor Mick Denham said.
“We can make the case of TDC funding,” Evans said. “We will put in the application and hope that it is approved.”
Mayor Kevin Ruane explained that the City is “required to declare a state of emergency in order to implement temporary measures.”
“We want to make sure it is a soft shoreline to absorb energy and avoid down drift impacts on the shoreline,” Williams said. “The old wooden seawall is the last line of defense to protect cottages at The Castaways,” he added. “We need a permanent fix to protect the roadway. But we will have to do maintenance and renourishment of sand.”
Councilman Jason Maughan emphasized the pressing need for this project. “The last two years have been difficult for residents on the West End. Public safety is paramount. This is the only road off [the island]. There is an economic impact on businesses,” he added, “and the quality of life of citizens is heavily impacted by this erosion. The beach must be replaced, and the road repaired. Patience is at an end. Now is the time to act.”
Ruane concurred. “We have to do this project. We will move forward.”
The resolution was unanimously approved, with Maughan giving “a resounding yes!”
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