by SC Publisher Shannen Hayes
Restoring the shared use path, modifying and installing weir flap gates, and addressing the drainage issue in the Tradewinds area are among the City of Sanibel’s legislative priorities for 2026. And in that order.
The city’s legislative funding request is $7.3 million for those projects.
Hurricane Ian heavily damaged the 26-mile shared-use path in 2022, and it sustained further damage after the storm due to debris placement in the right-of-way. The city received a $1 million appropriation from the state in 2023 to start the reconstruction.
The city initially requested a $5 million appropriation in 2025 for the shared-use path, but amended the request to divide it over two years, 2025 and 2026. So, the city is requesting the remaining $2.5 million.
The city completed the Surface Water Management Master Plan update this year, and modifications are needed to the flap gate at the Beach Road Weir, and a flap gate needs to be installed at the Tarpon Bay Weir.
A flap gate prevents or mitigates the backflow of saltwater from high tides into the island’s freshwater interior wetlands system and private property, thereby protecting it from high-tide-related flooding.
The city has budgeted $130,000 for the design of the two flap gates and is requesting $600,000 in legislative funding to complete the project.
When the Tradewinds area was developed, it was designed to drain into the Gulf. However, a state regulatory change required the Gulf outfall to be removed, and the impact of flooding has been exacerbated as a result.
The city is requesting $4.2 million in legislative funding for the Tradwinds drainage project. However, the city has applied to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Nonpoint Source Management grant program to fund the project. Should any or all of the grant money be accepted, the city will adjust its legislative request accordingly.
The 2026 Florida Legislative Session begins on Jan. 1, 2026, but interim committee meetings are held twice a month in October, November, and December.
The Lee County Legislative Delegation meeting is at 9 a.m. on Oct. 28, and Mayor Mike Miller will speak on behalf of Sanibel.