Posted on November 22, 2021
Lee County Board of County Commissioners approves state funding, will match a portion of funding
The Lee County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve an approximately $2 million match to a $10 million grant from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for Lovers Key Beach nourishment which will lead to a total of $11,988,615.94 of sand replenishment.
The county’s funding is through its Beach Renourishment Trust Fund and was budgeted.
The project consists of 1.1 miles of shoreline within Lovers Key State Park. The initial restoration was completed in 2004 using sand from the Big Carlos Pass ebb shoal complex. Nourishment was completed in 2014 in conjunction with the Bonita Beach Nourishment Project, according to county records..
The work is expected to take place next year or in early 2023 and will be coordinated with Bonita Beach nourishment, according to information provided by Lee County Government. The sand will be delivered from a newly permitted offshore sand source.
The project area has been designated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) as critically eroded. The most recent nourishment was completed successfully in December of 2014.
Lovers Key State Park
Subsequent to construction, monitoring indicates that the project continues to provide storm protection, environmental benefits such as sea turtle nesting, and recreational opportunities, but is eroding over time as anticipated.
Lovers Key State Park
