Posted on April 10, 2026
LEE COUNTY, Fla. — The Lee County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday to authorize a project that would prepare to dredge Blind Pass on Sanibel.
The authorization will allow for permit application, processing, design, bid services, construction services, construction surveys, construction observations and more.
Murky water and stagnant conditions at Blind Pass in Sanibel are affecting local fishermen, like local fly fishing guide Ben Harvey, with Sanibel Fly Outfitters.
“We’re not seeing the bait on the beach like we normally do,” Harvey said. “If there’s no bait, there’s no bigger fish — and then us, as fly fisherman, we rely heavily on site fishing, but because of the siltiness of the water and how dirty it is, we can’t do that right now.”
Gulf Coast News has been tracking the closure of Blind Pass, which divides Sanibel and Captiva Islands. Sand has filled in the inlet over the last couple of months.
The Lee County policy is to have an open pass to achieve ecosystem benefits associated with tidal exchange between Pine Island Sound and the Gulf. Lee County said that without maintenance dredging, there is a significant chance the inlet would remain closed for the near future. However, Steve Boutelle, the county’s marine operations manager, said they are waiting for the right time to move the sand.
“We don’t want that hole to fill right back in with the sand that’s still moving off of Captiva and Sanibel,” Boutelle said. “The timing really is dependent on, one, we think the beach has kind of reached its equilibrium.”
However, some, like naturalist Ranger Rob Howell, are skeptical that the project will be a good fix.
“It’s probably going to be a matter of time before there’s another storm event that moves it back because it seems like that’s where nature wants it to be,” Howell said.
Fishermen like Harvey said that they hope the project helps.
“That’s where our fish are coming from. They’re coming out of the pass and onto the beach right there,” Harvey said. “I’d definitely like to see it open back up.”
Completing the work now is expected to allow for dredging in 2027. Timing will depend on when the area reaches equilibrium, along with consideration for shorebird and sea turtle nesting season.
