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Blind Pass dredging underway

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PHOTO PROVIDED The dredging of Blind Pass is fully under way after suffering setbacks due to mechanical issues and Tropical Storm Debby.

During its July meeting the Captiva Erosion Prevention District (CEPD) heard from its new coastal project manager Justin McBride, who told the board dredging was fully under way.

“There were some equipment issues,” said McBride.

Crews on the project faced multiple setbacks, including weather from Tropical Storm Debby and a broken pump motor, which has since been repaired. The project is three weeks behind schedule, but has completed 3,200 cubic yards as of the July 11 CEPD meeting.

The City of Sanibel has issued a reminder, the same one McBride gave in the meeting, to keep a safe distance from equipment during Blind Pass dredging. This includes the equipment on the beach and in the water.

“Shellers must not cross the orange fencing, which will be moved when they’re completed in that area,” said McBride.

By the end of the project, the Lee County Division of Natural Resources hopes to have pumped around 125,000 cubic yards of sand out of Blind Pass.