Final Certification

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Examining the influence of discharges on coastal ecosystems health and Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) dynamics

Recipient: Florida Gulf Coast University

Location: 10501 FGCU Blvd. S, Fort Myers, FL 33965

Amount of Request: $440 Thousand

Details: This project would be conducted by Florida Gulf Coast University’s research department. They will conduct an intensive study of the effects of Caloosahatchee River discharges on coastal water quality and benthic (bottom) habitats, including impacts of harmful algal blooms (red tide and blue-green algae), nutrient loading, and low salinity on local fishes, sponges, and shellfish.  This study is a new approach, with particular emphasis on local artificial reef structures and natural hard bottom habitats that are both significant fishing grounds for recreational, charter and commercial fishermen. Our approach will include hydrodynamic modeling coupled with benthic nutrient flux estimates and water surveys focused on both biological (fishes, shellfishes and HABs) and chemical (nutrients and HAB toxins) aspects of the ecosystem. This integrated approach will better characterize the effects of these discharges on offshore resources, will better identify maximum nutrient loading goals (TMDLs) that can be targeted by managers, and will help scientists, managers understand the synergistic impacts of salinity fluctuations, nutrient loading, and water column and benthic ecosystem responses to these abiotic drivers. This proposed project will not only be of benefit to stakeholders that utilize these coastal resources (fishing, diving), but will provide excellent experiential learning opportunities for our students and will generate valuable data to assess the resiliency of our coastal ecosystems to harmful discharges from the Caloosahatchee and related harmful algal bloom impacts.

Final Certification

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Fort Myers Water Treatment Expansion Plan

Recipient: City of Fort Myers

Location: 2200 Second Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901

Amount of Request: $2.5 Million

Details: The City is requesting $2,500,000 to expand its water treatment plant capacity. An RFQ solicitation is currently active for selection of a design consultant. Once funded, the design will be able to be completed in FY 23. The city is currently constructing three raw water production wells and associated raw water transmission mains to support sustained growth above projections, which is anticipated to continue. The water treatment plant expansion is needed to process the raw water and supports the City’s efforts to have a resilient and sustainable utility system.

Final Certification

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Sanibel Slough Dredge and Water Quality Improvement Project

Recipient: City of Sanibel
Location: 800 Dunlop Road, Sanibel, FL 33957

Amount of Request: $1 Million

Details: The Sanibel Slough is located in the City of Sanibel, Florida. The waterbody was identified by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as impaired due to its nutrient load and elevated trophic state. For the purpose of developing a total maximum daily load (TMDL), the Sanibel Slough was subdivided into two basins, Sanibel Slough West, and Sanibel Slough East in accordance with the existing weir structures that control water releases from the Slough to the surrounding coastal waters.  Individual total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) were developed in 2017 for each basin.  The Sanibel Watershed Management Plan identifies areas of the Sanibel Slough East that require dredging to maintain the slough’s capacity to contain stormwater for a 25-year storm event as required by City's National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit. Dredging also serves to remove silt that retains dissolved nitrates, phosphorus, and solids from the slough. The nutrient load contained within the silt layer is resuspended when disturbed during storm events and may be released into Pine Island Sound Aquatic Preserve, San Carlos Bay, and the Gulf of Mexico during discharge events. The proposed project removes silt from the Sanibel Slough East and increases stormwater capacity in the slough thereby reducing potential flood impacts to surrounding residential properties. It also removes nutrient loads in the slough that effect the water quality within the Caloosahatchee estuary and the Gulf of Mexico.  The City of Sanibel is requesting $1 million for the design, permitting, and dredging for the Sanibel Slough Dredge and Water Quality Improvement Project.

Final Certification

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Clean Waters Marco Island

Recipient: City of Marco Island

Location: 50 Bald Eagle Dr, Marco Island, FL 34145

Amount of Request: $325 Thousand

Details: Marco Island is a beach community in the Gulf of Mexico.  This Southwest Florida location has over 6 miles of beaches and an extensive canal system.  It’s home to some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, exciting marine life and fishing. Clean waterways are the lifeblood for its economy and quality of life.  Pollution is affecting the water and marine ecosystem. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection placed Marco Island’s waterbodies on the State’s Verified List of Impaired Water. If corrective actions are not immediately taken, Marco Island’s community and livelihood will fail. Marco Island needs greater enforcement of its City Code Ordinances to stem nutrient pollutants and other harmful material from entering the waterways. With over 100 miles of man-made canals on the Island, Marco Island Code Enforcement requires additional resources to make water-based Code enforcement possible. Officers currently rely on the community to report many of the violations; a tactic that is unreliable and provides limited scale.  Funding from this project would purchase an equipped vessel that provides access through Marco Island’s extensive canal system.  A truck supplements water patrols, with overland inspections of new home construction, lawn fertilization and maintenance. Improved access to properties across Marco Island would help accelerate discovery, remediation of violations and ultimately change harmful behavior.

Final Certification

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Terminal Expansion, Phase II--Gates Expansion

Recipient: Lee County Port Authority

Location: 11000 Terminal Access Rd Ste 8671, Fort Myers, FL 33913

Amount of Request: $50 Million

Details: Terminal Expansion Phase II – Gates Expansion at Concourse E is planned to be a new concourse providing 14 additional gates. The addition of 14 additional gates is necessary to meet projected demand according to the draft RSW Master Plan that is still ongoing. Concourse E will also include ramp and taxiways, ticketing, baggage claim, security screening, an overhead walkway to the parking garage, and associated arrival and departure level roadway improvements. In March of 2022, the Lee County Port Authority Board gave consensus to proceed with the development of Concourse E to satisfy the need for gates and to meet the expected passenger growth. Not only does the Concourse E project add airline gates, terminal space, security screening checkpoint lanes, chiller plant upgrades and a remote loading dock expansion, it improves the baggage handling system, provides additional roadway terminal curb lanes and frontage, enhances roadway efficiency and pedestrian/passenger safety by adding 3 pedestrian bridges, and provides a safer aircraft taxi environment.  The Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is a major economic engine for our region.  The State of Florida determined in 2018 that RSW provided more than $8.4 billion in annual economic benefit.  RSW has experienced significant growth over the past 2 years and that is expected to continue based on aviation demand forecasts.  The Terminal Expansion Phase II Gates Expansion project is a good use of taxpayer funds as it will add more capacity to the airport, allow for more flight activity, more competition, new entrants, and sustainable airline pricing. Additionally, the State of Florida determined that for every dollar invested in aviation development projects, the State realized a $1.72 return on investment.

Final Certification

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Reclaimed Water Transmission Main, Caloosahatchee River Crossing

Recipient: City of Cape Coral

Location: 1015 Cultural Park Boulevard, Cape Coral, FL 33990

Amount Requested: $1 Million

Details: The project generally consists of a reclaimed water transmission main beginning at the City of Cape Coral’s Everest Water Reclamation Facility and extending east along Everest Parkway to Horton Park and then a horizontal directional drill approximately 100 feet below the Caloosahatchee River to a point of interconnection with the City of Fort Myers transmission main from their South Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility.  The project will require approximately 7,300 linear feet of 24-inch diameter ductile iron pipeline construction from the Everest Water Reclamation Facility to Horton Park and approximately 7,500 linear feet of 24” diameter Fusible PVC pipe for the horizontal directional drill beneath the Caloosahatchee River.  The project also includes various upgrades to the Everest Water Reclamation Facility to enable the City of Cape Coral’s reclaimed water supply system to receive up to 12 million gallons per day of reclaimed water from the City of Fort Myers. 

The upland portion of the project will begin construction in March 2022 and bids for the horizontal directional drill section are due on April 12, 2022. Both phases of the Project are shovel ready and will be completed by late Spring 2023.

Final Disclosure

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