Got Sand?
The recent Beach Renourishment Bid Selection means Captiva renourishment will commence July 2021 and likely go through October 2021.
During the May Board Meeting of the Captiva Erosion Prevention District (CEPD), Commissioners accepted the engineering and CEPD staff recommendations on the selection of the dredging contractor. Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company (GLDD) was awarded the contract with a low bid of $15,625,485.
The bids were submitted with the condition that the Commissioners may decide to adjust the amount of sand placed on the project by as much as 25%. The low bid unit price per cubic yard for sand came in only marginally greater than the last project by $0.05 per cubic yard. This attractive and highly competitive bid provides an opportunity for the CEPD to increase the volume of the project as appropriate. The CEPD has authority to elicit a change work order to increase the project sand volume even higher should our sand needs extend beyond the +25% threshold. Total project costs are still being estimated.
The CEPD is planning a public Town Hall meeting once the timeline for the project has been finalized, tentatively in late June or middle July. This meeting will provide Captiva residents, property owners and businesses an opportunity to meet with the contractors, Commissioners, CEPD staff and SCCF for questions surrounding the project.
In 2019, Captiva residents voted with a significant majority in favor of a referendum to borrow an amount not to exceed $18,000,000. This authorizes the CEPD to finance the cost of the beach nourishment project until all costs are known and the apportionment of the costs can be appropriately assessed to property owners. At the May Board meeting, the CEPD Board also voted to finalize negotiations for a municipal bond loan with Synovus Bank; Mr. Mark E. Raymond, Esq., was approved by the board to serve as the district’s bond counsel and has worked on the CEPD loans for past projects.
Turn off your lights!
We are currently up to 36 nests since the May 1st start date of turtle season. Sea turtle hatchlings emerging from the nests can be found heading in the wrong direction when artificial lighting emanating from nearby beachfront properties. Instead of finding their way toward the Gulf of Mexico, the disorientated hatchlings will head into the dune vegetation and towards the artificial light.
Unshielded interior lighting, even from just a single beachfront condominium, resort unit, or residence is enough to disrupt the normal sea-finding behavior of sea turtle hatchlings. Hatchlings are guided to the ocean by an instinct to travel away from the dark silhouettes of the dune vegetation and toward the brightest horizon – light from the sky reflecting off the ocean. Artificial lights near the beach can deter females from nesting and disorient hatchlings. Most hatchlings that wander inland will die of exhaustion, dehydration or predation. Please protect the sea turtles by and remember to turn off lights, close curtains and blinds after dark. This simple practice is a true life-saver for sea turtles. Sea turtle hatchling disorientations are 100% preventable and it is our responsibility to ensure that these amazing creatures survive for future generations to enjoy.
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