With the major sand placement of the beach renourishment project complete, the Captiva Erosion Prevention District (CEPD) is turning its focus to the finishing touches: vegetation, access paths, and dune protection.
At a meeting on January 12, the CEPD commission reviewed proposals presented by General Manager Brighton Heard regarding the next phase of the restoration.
Ropes, Bollards, and Beach Access The board discussed how to best manage public access and protect the new dunes. While the initial proposal suggested installing ropes and bollards on both sides of the road from the “S curve” at Jensen’s to north of the Alison Hagerup beach park, the commission opted for a different approach.
Chairman John Wade noted that these barriers have historically only been used along the beach side. Consequently, the board directed staff to proceed with installing ropes and bollards on the seaward side only.
Regarding specific beach access points:
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Andy Rosse Lane: The commission voted 4-1 to maintain the path extending west off of Andy Rosse Lane but decided not to include “stake-out” paths extending to the north and south.
Beautifying the Entrances To enhance the visual appeal and stability of the dunes, the commission voted 4-1 to engage Coastal Vista, a landscaping firm. The company will prepare planting design renderings for the Village area, specifically focusing on four key public access locations:
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Andy Rosse Lane
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Wightman Lane
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Laika Lane
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Alison Hagerup Beach Park
The approved $10,500 contract covers the first two phases of the design process, with future phases to be considered later.
Australian Pine Removal Update General Manager Heard also provided an update on the Australian Pine Removal Program. Approximately 60 trees are scheduled for removal. However, work near active bald eagle nests has been proactively rescheduled for April, after the nesting season concludes, to ensure the safety of the wildlife. Heard noted that the current removal plans utilize less than one-quarter of the available grant funds.
Community Support for Dune Heights In other news, staff reported receiving a letter from residents expressing strong support for the new dune heights. The residents emphasized that maintaining the current height is a critical investment in the island’s long-term protection, resilience, and sustainability against future storms.
