CIYC hosts environmental meeting March 18
The Captiva Island Yacht Club (CIYC) will be hosting a public forum on Wednesday, March 18 at 11 a.m. for residents who are curious about the restoration of Blind Pass.
Guest speakers from local agencies involved in the currently ongoing reopening process will be attending the event to lead a discussion on the status of the project and answer questions.
John Utley, chairman of the CIYC’s Environmental Awareness Committee, said he was looking through past presentations looking for a suitable subject for the environmental committee to present.
In November of 2004, the CIYC held a similar program addressing the potential reopening of the pass, during which coastal engineer Robert Neal of the Lee County Department of Natural Resources was a speaker.
“We (the committee) had a meeting in late January and decided that this would be a great topic,” Utley said.
This year, Neal and two other speakers will be attending the event, Kathy Rooker of the Captiva Erosion Prevention District and Paul Tritaik, refuge manager of the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge.
“It will be an interesting session and I think people will be keen on learning about it,” Utley said.
“I hope its a successful project.”
The CIYC’s last environmental program took place in November and focused on the adverse affects of red tide on the respiratory system, but topics have ranged from public safety to environmental education.
Next Wednesday’s program will last about an hour and will contain a questions and answer portion for attendees who wish to talk to the speakers. All are welcome to attend.
Any questions regarding the event can be directed to the event’s chairman, John Utley, or to the CIYC’s main office at 472-9627.