Lee County OK’s Estero Island beach restoration project

The Lee Board of County Commissioners last week voted to approve an interlocal agreement with the Town of Fort Myers Beach for restoration and nourishment of approximately 5.2 miles of beach on Estero Island.

The goal of the project in southwest Florida is to address chronic and acute erosion, provide storm protection, environmental benefits such as improved sea turtle nesting, and recreational opportunities.

The project area is designated by the state as critically eroded shoreline. Lee County previously nourished a northern section of the beach, from Bowditch Point to Crescent Beach Family Park, in 2011.

The current project has an expanded scope and is managed by the Town, which has divided the work into two segments. The North-Central project segment will extend from Bowditch Point to near Lanark Avenue. The South segment will extend from near Creciente Condominium to Sun Caper Condominium.

The nourishment of Estero Island beach is expected to begin in June and be completed by the end of October.