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Fort Myers Beach task force backs dune-planting plan, expects planting to start this summer
Summary
The task force endorsed a default “low-profile” dune-planting scheme and approved asking town council to proceed; staff said planting bids will be solicited soon and that FEMA, state and local funds will cover portions of the work tied to recent beach renourishment.
The Marine and Environmental Resources Task Force voted April 10 to support the town’s proposed dune-planting plan, with staff selecting a default “low-profile” mix of species and promising property owners the option to request alternate plantings or alignments.
Chad (town staff) presented three planting schemes that vary in the percentage of sea oats, bitter panicum, railroad vine and dune daisies. "Based on the feedback from the community to staff, low profile was what the beach property owners preferred. That is going to be the default," Chad said. The low-profile plan spreads species more evenly and reduces the dominance of sea oats in the mix.
Staff said the town will solicit bids and hopes to start plantings around July. "We hope to have [the invitation to bid] out, ASAP… within 2 months, we should hopefully have a contractor and then, you know, we're planting in the summer," Chad said. The town also said it received additional funding from FEMA for more mature plant stock on portions of the north end and that other state and local funds will support plantings along areas not covered by FEMA's public assistance category.
Committee members asked about how plantings would interact with sea-turtle nesting season and access paths. Jennifer Russ (committee vice chair) emphasized night-time light management and beach stewardship ahead of nesting season, reminding property owners to turn off lights and close drapes to reduce disorientation of nesting turtles. "Sea turtle nesting season starts May 1 and goes until October," Russ said.
Staff outlined a management approach that includes 10-foot historical openings for foot traffic and allows property owners up to 25% of their shoreline to be left unvegetated per the dune-management plan. Chad said plantings are intended to accrete sand and restore berms over time and that, where owners decline easements, staff will continue outreach.
The committee approved a motion recommending council pursue the planting program and related dune management work; the motion passed unanimously in the meeting record. Members also asked staff to post materials online and to provide follow-up reports at future meetings on planting progress, permitting and public outreach.
Staff also reported progress on beach renourishment: work on the south end was scheduled to be complete by April 30 and central sections by May 31. The town said contractors will coordinate with turtle-protection groups on nest relocation and monitoring as required by permits.
The task force asked staff to continue outreach to property owners about alignment, to document easement status, and to develop an optional phase two list of additional dune and canopy species for property owners who want more diverse plantings.
