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By DREW WINCHESTER, dwinchester@breezenewspapers.com
The pumping portion of the Captiva Erosion Prevention District’s (CEPD) beach renourishment project finished on time, with final inspections wrapping up today. The project adds a year to the CEPD’s renourishment schedule, with the next renourishment tentatively taking place in 2014.
Groundbreaking took place on April 16, with Lee County Commissioner Bob Janes in attendance. Pumping began in front of Jensen’s on the Gulf, extending north to the North Beach parking lot, with the final bit of sand being pumped last Saturday.
“We now have a very wide, very flat beach,” CEPD Administrator Alison Hagerup said. “It has definitely enhanced the recreational [aspects] as well as storm protection and environmental benefits of the beach.”
One of the final aspects of the project involved tilling the freshly laid sand, making it easier for sea turtles to move during nesting season. Hagerup said that tilling was meant to “establish a turtle friendly beach” so that it would be easier for the turtles to bury their eggs.
The tilling is definitely needed, as nearly 90,000 cubic yards of sand were pumped onto the beach.
“The commissioners are thrilled we were able to get the Army Corps of Engineers to return to complete the project they began in 2005-06,” Hagerup added. “Through the cooperative efforts of the Corps of Engineers, Weeks Marine and the CEPD, we were able to maximize the cubic yards [of sand] allotted to the Corps’ budget to end up with approximately 90,000 cubic yards of sand.”
The CEPD will also be holding what Hagerup called a “brainstorming session” after their July Board of Commissioner’s meeting to address the next renourishment apportionment. The session will set a series of apportionment workshops for future meetings. Public participation is encoruaged.
“We’ll be looking for people who really want to help in the brainstorming,” Hagerup said. “We’ll also be forming an official subcommittee to work with the CEPD board members.”
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