On June 12, the Sanibel City Council approved plans to dredge Wulfert Channel, a critical waterway used by island residents and the public to access the Gulf of Mexico, Pine Island Sound, and surrounding waters. The project, estimated at $446,065, will be partially funded by 196 property owners who directly access the Wulfert Channel area, covering two-thirds of the cost, with the city contributing the remaining one-third.
In a 4-1 vote, the Council declared its intent to schedule a one-time dredging of Wulfert Channel and establish a special financing district for the property owners in the Wulfert Channel Area Dredging Assessment District. The property owners will each pay a lump sum of $1,517.30, or can choose to make up to five annual payments at 4.5% interest.
Vice Mayor Holly Smith emphasized the importance of ensuring the channel remains navigable, calling it a critical responsibility for the city. She noted the overall cost to property owners is now relatively minimal.
A previous plan, which was scrapped, required property owners to pay a larger share for both Wulfert Channel and the Dinkins Bayou/Sunset Bay dredging project, with costs of over $7,500 per owner. Some residents argued that the city should shoulder a larger portion of the cost, given that the waterway serves as a public thoroughfare, but the Council remained firm in its decision.
The dredging of Wulfert Channel is expected to begin by Sept. 1, with work to be carried out by Bayside Dredging. About 2,900 cubic yards of sediment will be removed, with the material being transported to the Henderson Road boat ramp, then hauled to the Wulfert Wastewater Treatment Plant for dewatering. The remaining sediment will be removed from the island.
The project follows concerns from residents that hurricanes have deposited sand and sediment into the Wulfert Channel and Dinkins Bayou, restricting access and navigation, particularly during low tides.
The city has already secured the necessary permit for Wulfert Channel dredging from the Army Corps of Engineers, but the permit for Dinkins Bayou is still pending. Council members, including John Henshaw, expressed concerns over how long the dredged areas would remain clear, with the risk of sediment filling back in within a year. Council member Richard Johnson cast the sole dissenting vote against the dredging plan.
