The Captiva Erosion Prevention District will hold four public meetings on the Captiva Bayside Adaptation Plan, and registration is currently open for the first one that is set for this week.

It is developing a plan to support erosion control along the bayside shorelines.

APTIM, the engineering firm selected to conduct the adaption and resiliency project, will host the meetings on behalf of the CEPD. Three meetings will be virtual, with the last one to be hybrid.

“The Captiva Bayside Adaptation Plan will be a proactive strategy designed to identify and implement nature-based solutions, infrastructure projects and policy measures to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of erosion caused by recurrent flooding,” APTIM reported. “The plan intends to protect homes, natural habitats and community assets, while promoting long-term resilience and sustainability.”

The first meeting will take place on May 9 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

“Public engagement is a fundamental aspect of the Captiva Bayside Adaptation Plan, and the input and perspectives of Captiva’s residents is essential to developing a feasible plan,” it reported. “These meetings will provide community members with an opportunity to learn about the Captiva Bayside Adaptation Plan and proposed adaptation projects, provide input and suggestions, ask questions and engage in constructive dialogue with fellow community members and project stakeholders.”

The remaining meetings will be held on:

– June 27 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

– Aug. 15 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

– Oct. 10 from 1 to 3 p.m.

In addition, residents and stakeholders are invited to take an online survey.

“To share experiences, concerns and ideas related to flooding on Captiva Island’s bayside,” APTIM reported. “Feedback will inform the development of the adaptation plan and help shape future initiatives to address vulnerabilities in our community.”

The survey will be open throughout the year during the project.

During a CEPD workshop in November, APTIM presented its proposal for the Captiva Bayside Adaptation Plan, which included the following steps as its project approach:

– Task 1 — Kick off and project steering committee:

To include a kick-off meeting and three steering committee progress meetings.

– Task 2 — Acquire background data:

To develop the adaption plan.

– Task 3 — Public-private implementation analysis:

Due to the extensive privately-owned land. To involve identifying ownership and jurisdiction; strategic analysis; policy considerations; and stakeholder engagement, incentives and standards.

– Task 4 — Adaption plan:

The approach and initial perception of the necessary elements to be included in the plan were listed as: prioritization of adaptation needs; identification of adaptation strategies and prioritization of projects; potential strategies — living shoreline with resilient engineered features, minimum shoreline elevation policy for properties, mangrove adaptation plan and resilient dune strategy — feasibility analysis; and prioritized projects for each asset class.

– Task 5 — Public outreach meetings:

To include four bimonthly public outreach meetings.

– Task 6 — Engineering report with conceptual adaptation drawings:

As many as 10-15 drawings with renderings included, along with construction cost estimates.

APTIM estimated that the plan would take about a year to complete.

To register for the first meeting, visit https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/cd975125-d0f4-41df-83a7-fb82dcc73264@722bb117-d396-4e7c-982b-8c9f8038294d.

Registration for the rest will be provided on the CEPD website in advance of the meetings.

To participate in the online survey, visit https://forms.gle/q265X2Pb25Mzqfvd7.