Posted on February 18, 2025
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — (Feb. 13, 2025) – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District (USACE), seeks public comments, views and information regarding the preparation of a supplemental National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis evaluating alternative placement options for operation and maintenance dredged material from the Fort Myers Beach Harbor (FMBH) Federal Navigation Channel in Lee County, Florida.
USACE has published a scoping letter to solicit public input as it defines issues and concerns that will be addressed in USACE’s NEPA analysis, updating the 2012 Environmental Assessment for Maintenance Dredging FMBH Federal Navigation Project. The updated NEPA analysis will evaluate placement options, including beach and nearshore placement on Estero Island and placement in an offshore borrow area, previously permitted by DEP. The 2012 NEPA document is available for review at https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/About/Divisions-Offices/Planning/Environmental-Branch/Environmental-Documents/.
On that page, click on the “+” next to “Lee” and scroll down to find and open the Fort Myers Beach, Matanzas Pass, Navigation Project EA/FONSI document dated September 2012.
USACE invites the participation of Federal and State agencies, Native American Tribes, local agencies, interested parties and individuals to provide comments and to identify any issues, concerns or important features within the described project area.
Current authorized beach and nearshore placement, our proposed footprint for placement along the beach and nearshore of Estero Island, as well as placement in an offshore borrow area
USACE will accept written comments regarding the proposed project for 30 calendar days from the date of this press release.
Comments may be submitted via email to Ms. Samantha Thomas at Samantha.K.Thomas@usace.army.mil or via U.S. Postal Service mail to:
Corps of Engineers, Jacksonville District
Planning and Policy Division, Environmental Branch
Attn: Ms. Samantha Thomas
701 San Marco Boulevard
Jacksonville, Florida, 32207-8175
