CEPD to hold emergency meeting
The Captiva Erosion Prevention District will hold an emergency meeting on Oct. 17 at 11 a.m. via Zoom. In addition, the CEPD provided the following information on Oct. 15 in a Beach Brief:
– Staff toured the beach on Oct. 14 with consultant APTIM. Massive erosion has occurred from ‘Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa north, destroying critical onshore protections.
– The beach is heavily littered with debris. It was agreed that work toward installing a new berm as a protective measure should begin immediately.
– Fallen trees and large debris at the Alison Hagerup Beach Park are set to be removed.
– Contractors have begun sand removal from the village streets and Hagerup lot. Screening equipment will be set up today, Oct. 16, in the parking lot for beach sand placement to commence.
– Property owners may bring unscreened sand to the Hagerup lot or Blind Pass beginning today, Oct. 16.
– Emergency funding is being sought through Lee County and staff has requested the assistance of the Lee County Commission via Vice Chairman Kevin Ruane.
– If there is sand in one’s right-of-way that needs to be removed, contact the CEPD at https://www.mycepd.com/contact-us.
– The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (FDEP) Emergency Order has waived the requirement for permits to place overwashed sand onto the beach. Although the requirement has been waived, all sand must be “clean sand.”
CLEAN SAND PLACEMENT
– “Clean sand” is defined as sand that does not have stains or odors and that is similar to the pre-hurricane beach sand in both coloration and grain size. It must be free of debris, rocks, clay or other foreign matter.
– Clean sand can be collected and placed above the high tide line (or mean high water line) on the beach and dune system.
– Sand may not be placed over any existing native vegetation or storm generated debris on the beach.
– Sand shall be returned to the beach in a manner that emulates grade and slope of the beach prior to Hurricanes Milton and Helene.
– Construction equipment shall not operate, and construction materials shall not be stored, in such a way as to damage or destroy the beach dune system.
– Existing beach dune topography and vegetation shall be disturbed only to the minimum extent necessary.
– If any topography is disturbed as a result, then topography shall be restored to the predevelopment elevations.
– Any native dune vegetation destroyed during the activity shall be replaced with native beach vegetation.
– The FDEP may bring an enforcement action against any private property owner that violates the above requirements.
– Any sand that does not meet the definition of “clean sand” must be disposed of properly. Placing sand or other overwashed material onto the right-of-way of roads is strictly prohibited.