Lee County, Army Corps beach renourishment agreement passed

The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday, May 17 to approve amending an agreement with the Army Corps of Engineers to authorize continued federal participation in beach nourishment on Gasparilla Island through 2056.

 The amendment to the Project Partnership Agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers authorizes continued federal participation in beach nourishment of the Gasparilla Island segment, which extends 2.8 miles south from 17th Street. The agreement allows for cooperation between the Corps and Lee County in construction of the project as needed, based on erosion. It also authorizes federal funding of up to 64.7 percent. No funds are required at this time.

 Repair of beach erosion damage from future qualifying storms may be funded up to 100 percent from federal funds. The area has been designated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as critically eroded. It is anticipated that future projects also will be cost-shared by the state. County funds for future projects will come from the portion of Tourism Development Tax that is dedicated for beach nourishment.