Category: Island Update

Mark your calendars! The public is invited to celebrate the soft reopening of Lee County Parks & Recreation’s restored Punta Rassa Boat Ramp with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 21, at 10 a.m.

This event also marks the completion of the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) Sanibel Causeway Emergency Restoration Project.

Event Details

• When: Wednesday, Aug. 21, 10 a.m. (ribbon cutting)

• Where: Punta Rassa Boat Ramp, 15001 Punta Rassa Road, Fort Myers

• Livestream: Watch on Lee County’s YouTube or Facebook pages

Attendees will hear brief remarks from Lee County commissioners, FDOT representatives, and other officials.

Boat Ramp Access & Amenities

The ramp will officially open for public use at noon on Aug. 21 with:

• Ramp access

• Partial docks

• Parking

• Restrooms

Future upgrades will include full dock access, a fish cleaning station, landscaping, and additional lighting. Signs and buffers will remain in place, and boaters are asked to avoid docks still under construction and refrain from climbing on the riprap along the causeway. Lee County staff and rangers will be on-site to assist.

A Milestone After Hurricane Ian

This reopening is the first time since Hurricane Ian that boaters can access the Punta Rassa ramp. During recovery, the site played a key role as a staging area for permanent causeway repairs, helping reconnect barrier islands to the mainland.

For ongoing updates about this and other park projects, visit the Lee County Parks Project Information Tool for details on design, construction, and completion timelines.

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) has shared exciting news for sea turtle conservation this season. As of Aug. 13, SCCF has documented:

• 865 loggerhead sea turtle nests

• 20 green sea turtle nests

From these nests, an impressive 15,202 loggerhead hatchlings and 147 green hatchlings have already made their way to the Gulf — an increase of nearly 6,500 loggerhead hatchlings in just two weeks.

SCCF continues to monitor and protect nesting sites across Sanibel and Captiva, helping ensure the survival of these endangered species.

Report sea turtle concerns: Call the SCCF Sea Turtle Hotline at 978-728-3663.

Track their journeys: Visit the SCCF Sea Turtle Tracking Portal.

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season officially began in June, but it wasn’t until Thursday, Aug. 15 that the season’s first hurricane formed. At 11 a.m., Tropical Storm Erin was officially upgraded to a hurricane by the National Weather Service.

Just two days earlier, on Aug. 13, Erin was located about 890 miles east of the Northern Leeward Islands with maximum sustained winds of 60 mph. Forecasters predicted a west-northwest track, bringing the storm near or just north of the Northern Leeward Islands over the weekend.

Forecast & Potential Strength

Meteorologists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and AccuWeather expect Erin to intensify quickly. Atmospheric and oceanic conditions northeast of the Lesser Antilles are favorable for rapid strengthening, potentially making Erin a major Category 3 hurricane by Saturday.

AccuWeather experts note there is even a chance Erin could reach Category 4 status this weekend or early next week. The system is expected to bring heavy rain, damaging winds, and dangerous surf to the Leeward Islands and Puerto Rico.

U.S. Impact: Low Risk for Now

Current weather models show Erin continuing on a west-northwest path before curving north, avoiding a Florida landfall. However, The Weather Channel reports that the exact point of the northward turn remains uncertain.

While the probability of U.S. East Coast landfall is currently low, coastal areas should monitor updates closely. Regardless of the exact track, Erin will generate high surf and dangerous rip currents along the East Coast next week.

Local Weather in Southwest Florida

Southwest Florida has already been experiencing a wet August. In the first two weeks alone:

• Agualinda Water Plant (Cape Coral): 5.53 inches of rain

• Bowman’s Beach (Sanibel): 14.44 inches, nearly 10 inches in just the last five days

• St. James City: 11.34 inches

For reference, the average August rainfall for Lee County since 1992 is 9.69 inches, meaning many areas are already at or above their monthly average.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis reassured residents on Aug. 13 via X, stating:

“Models for Hurricane Erin currently have it turning north and staying far away from Florida. We continue to monitor for any shifts.”

The Lee County School Board has approved a tentative $2.7 billion budget for the 2025–26 school year. The decision came during the first of two public budget hearings held on July 29, with the final hearing set for September 9 at 5:05 p.m.

Key Millage Rates & Tax Impact

The board adopted a total millage rate of 5.319, projected to raise $863.6 million. This includes:

• Required Local Effort: 3.071 mills ($498.6M to be raised)

• Basic Discretionary Millage: 0.748 mills ($121.4M to be raised)

• Capital Outlay: 1.500 mills ($243.5M to be raised)

For context, one mill equals $1 per $1,000 of assessed taxable property value. The new rate represents a 1.43% increase over last year’s rollback rate and comes alongside a 5.39% increase in the county’s tax roll to $169 billion.

Budget Director Kelly Letcher noted it’s the first time in recent memory that both the tax roll and millage rate have increased together. Chief Financial Officer Dr. Ami Desamours added that the rise in the tax roll is the smallest since 2019 and may signal a continued trend in the coming years.

What This Means for Homeowners

• Home valued at $105,390 (up from $100,000): School taxes will be $560.57, an increase of $31.97.

• Homestead/Save Our Homes cap at 3% (value now $103,000): School taxes will be $414.88, an increase of $18.43.

Budget Breakdown

The total budget of $2,798,172,189 is allocated across five main categories:

• General Operating: $1,258,324,703

• Special Revenue: $117,280,254

• Debt Service: $71,050,046

• Capital Outlay: $1,129,782,490

• Internal Service: $221,734,696

Superintendent Dr. Denise Carlin’s $9.1 million “realignment” shifted more resources directly into classrooms. A significant portion of the general fund — about $1 billion — comes from the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP), which also includes an estimated $90 million for Family Empowerment Scholarships.

The budget includes a $90 increase per full-time equivalent (FTE) employee, bringing the total to $9,331, and raises the base student allocation to $5,372.60 — a $41.62 increase from last year.

Next Steps: The final budget hearing is scheduled for September 9, 5:05 p.m.

A laughing gull trapped in discarded fishing line at the Causeway Islands Park is getting a second chance at life, thanks to the quick action of local rescuers.

On August 4, Lee County Parks & Recreation staff and Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) shorebird biologists rushed to the scene after spotting the distressed bird. The team carefully freed the gull, which had become dangerously entangled.

Sadly, incidents like this are all too common along our shores. “Wildlife entanglement is a frequent problem on our beaches,” SCCF noted. “You can help prevent the next close call by disposing of fishing line properly at designated recycling stations, such as our Mind Your Line stations across Sanibel and surrounding areas.”

There are currently four monofilament recycling stations on the causeway. If you cannot access a station, SCCF recommends cutting used fishing line into small pieces before placing it in the trash.

The rescued gull was taken to the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) for evaluation and treatment. “We’re optimistic he will be back in the wild soon,” SCCF shared.

Find a recycling station: View the map here
ℹ️ Learn more about the Mind Your Line program: Visit mindyourline.org

The Sanibel Recreation Center has shared updates on seasonal programs, community events, and facility maintenance.

Facility Closure & Parking Permits

• Annual Maintenance Closure: Now through August 9

• Reopening Date: August 11

• Parking Permit Sales: Through Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., at the Sanibel Planning Department, 2475 Library Way

Fall Aftercare Program

Dates: August 11 – November 7
Grades: Kindergarten through 8th grade
Activities:

• Supervised homework time

• Active play & sports

• Arts & crafts

• Swimming

• Social and emotional growth activities

Cost: $390 members | $490 non-members (per child)
Financial aid available for those who qualify. Registration required.

Sanibel Storm Youth Basketball

Season: Mid-August – Early October
Schedule:

• Fridays (Aug. 15 – Oct. 3):

  • Grades K–1 & 2–3 → 4:30–5:30 p.m.

  • Grades 4–5 & 6–8 → 5:30–6:30 p.m.

• Mondays (Aug. 18 – Sept. 29):

  • Tiny & Pre-K4 → 4:15–5 p.m.

Banquet: October 3
Cost: $45 members | $56 non-members
Sponsors: Periwinkle Place Shops & Whitney’s Bait & Tackle

Volunteer Coaches Meeting

Date: August 16, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Purpose: Streamline onboarding for youth sports coaches.
Requirements:

• Completed volunteer application & code of conduct

• Background check clearance

• Affidavit of good moral character (notarized annually)

• Compression-Only CPR certification (free, provided by City of Sanibel)

• Youth concussion awareness training

Contact:

• Deputy Director Char Durand → charlotte.durand@mysanibel.com

• Recreation Program Coordinator Chase Brown → chasen.brown@mysanibel.com

Community Cookbook for a Cause

The Sanibel-Captiva Cookbook is now in its fourth reprint.

• Price: $40

• Includes: Recipes, stories, and island history

• Proceeds benefit: Youth Financial Assistance Program & Children’s Education Center of the Islands

• To order: Contact the center for in-person purchase or shipping options

General Information

Hours:

• Mon–Thu: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.

• Fri: 7 a.m.–5 p.m.

• Sat: 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

Address: 3880 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel
Phone: 239-472-0345
Register & Program Schedule: Sanibel Rec Catalog

In a closely watched and hotly debated decision, the Lee County Board of County Commissioners voted 3–1 on August 6 to approve a rezoning request for the South Seas resort on Captiva, paving the way for a major redevelopment project.

The approval follows a recommendation from Lee County Chief Hearing Examiner Donna Marie Collins, who supported the rezoning with 20 conditions.

County Board Ok SS1

County Board Ok SS1

County Board Ok SS1

What Was Approved

The plan rezones about 120 acres from multiple residential and commercial categories to Mixed Use Planned Development, allowing:

• Up to 193 multiple-family dwelling units

• 435 hotel units

• Resort amenities, infrastructure, and accessory structures

The redevelopment will center on two main clusters—one at the south end and one at the north end of the property.

Commission Vote

• For: Vice Chairman Cecil Pendergrass, Commissioners Mike Greenwell, Brian Hamman

• Against: Chairman Kevin Ruane

• Absent: Commissioner David Mulicka

Supporters’ Position

South Seas representatives and consultants argued that:

• The plan aligns with the Lee Plan and Future Land Use Map.

• Building heights and density are compatible with the resort’s existing character.

• Infrastructure providers confirmed capacity for increased water and sewer demands.

• The project would drive economic impact and job creation.

Opposition Concerns

Opposition came from Captiva and Sanibel officials, attorneys, environmental groups, condo associations, timeshare owners, and residents, citing:

• Violation of long-standing 912-unit development limit.

• Increased density and building heights far beyond current norms.

• Potential strain on wastewater systems and environmental risks to fragile barrier island ecosystems.

• Setting a precedent for future high-density development on Captiva.

• Inconsistency with the Captiva Community Plan and county codes.

Key Points from the Debate

• Supporters emphasized Captiva’s existing resort nature, post-Hurricane Ian rebuilding needs, and market demand.

• Opponents pointed to over two years of organized resistance, including petitions with 13,000+ signatures, and raised legal challenges.

• Chairman Ruane, a former Sanibel mayor, voted “no” citing unresolved wastewater capacity issues.

What’s Next

While the rezoning is now approved, legal challenges from property owners, associations, and community groups are ongoing. The project’s progress will likely be closely monitored, given its potential to reshape Captiva’s density, skyline, and environmental balance.

On July 25, Cape Coral officials celebrated the removal of the Chiquita Lock, a decades-old structure designed to protect local waters. The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF), however, has voiced concern over the long-term environmental consequences of the decision.

A Lock Built for Protection

Constructed in the 1980s, the Chiquita Lock’s primary role was to filter polluted water from Cape Coral’s canal system before it entered the Matlacha Pass and Caloosahatchee Estuary—critical habitats for Southwest Florida’s marine life.

After Hurricane Ian severely damaged the lock in 2022, city leaders opted for removal rather than repair or modernization.

A Missed Opportunity for Improvement

Opponents of repairing the lock cited boating delays and safety concerns. SCCF noted that these issues could have been addressed by installing a modernized, high-speed, two-way lock equipped with advanced sensors and manatee exclusion devices.

Without the lock in place, SCCF warns that nutrients from the canals will now flow freely into surrounding waters, potentially harming the estuary’s delicate balance.

Ongoing Environmental Monitoring

SCCF has pledged to closely monitor water quality trends in the coming months and years to detect any signs of environmental degradation linked to the lock’s removal.

The next week of the ongoing Love Sanibel Back summer campaign will take place from Aug. 10–16 on Sanibel and Captiva. The initiative, running through August, is designed to connect the island community and support local businesses.

Two community gatherings are scheduled:

• Aug. 14 at 6 p.m. – The Shipyard at the ‘Tween Waters Inn & Marina, 15951 Captiva Drive, Captiva

• Aug. 16 at 9 a.m. – A Bit of Bailey’s, 975 Rabbit Road, Sanibel

Campaign buttons will be distributed at each event, and the first 20 customers will receive a free reusable tote bag. The Sanibel Recreation Center is also participating, offering select complimentary classes. Space is limited; call 239-472-0345 to register.

The campaign is organized by Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in partnership with the Charitable Foundation of the Islands, SanCap Chamber, and the City of Sanibel.

For more details, visit saintmichaels-sanibel.org/love-sanibel-back. To provide support from anywhere, visit saintmichaels-sanibel.org/lsb-online.

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) has earned national recognition for a groundbreaking achievement at Puschel Preserve—the installation of the first Haven solar shelter at a nature preserve anywhere in the United States.

Designed to provide clean energy access and shaded comfort in a natural setting, the Haven solar shelter stands as both a community amenity and a model of environmental resilience.

Proven Performance in Extreme Weather

Installed just over a year ago, the shelter faced a tough test almost immediately. Hurricanes Milton and Helene brought powerful winds and significant storm surges to Sanibel. Thanks to its Category 5-rated design and strategic positioning, the shelter stood strong.

Its elevated electrical system ensures that vital components remain safely above floodwaters, while robust construction materials make it well-suited for Sanibel’s extreme weather conditions. The University of Miami confirmed these design specifications before installation, according to Haven.

“Haven is the perfect addition, providing much-needed shade, a place to rest, and a sustainable power source to the many pedestrians who pass by the preserve,” said SCCF Facilities Director Jeff Siwicke. “Like our island ecosystems, the Haven has proven its resilience by withstanding multiple strong storms and hurricanes since its installation.”

Sustainability in Action

The solar shelter is more than a rest stop—it’s a visible example of clean energy in action. By integrating renewable power generation, battery backup, shade, and charging stations into a nature preserve, SCCF demonstrates that environmental protection and innovation can go hand in hand.

This initiative aligns with SCCF’s holistic approach to conservation, which combines people, science, and education to protect Southwest Florida’s natural ecosystems.

Visitor Amenities

• Battery backup for continuous power

• Wheelchair-accessible seating

• Walking trail winding through gardens

• Water fountain and bike repair station

• Shaded rest areas for pedestrians and cyclists

Location

Puschel Preserve is located on the south side of Periwinkle Way between Purdy Drive and Martha’s Lane. Visitors can enjoy a peaceful trail through native landscaping while experiencing a forward-thinking example of sustainable infrastructure.