Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Spring Creek Dredging topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bonita Springs to seek permits, funding for spot dredging at mouth of Spring Creek
Summary
After residents and staff reported navigational hazards, council authorized staff to pursue permits and engineering for spot dredging of roughly 500 cubic yards at the mouth of Spring Creek; staff estimated construction costs around $130,000 and noted permitting constraints inside the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve.
Bonita Springs councilmembers directed staff to pursue permits and engineering to spot-dredge sediment at the mouth of Spring Creek after residents described boats becoming stuck and dangerous shallow conditions.
Residents from Pelican Landing and Spring Creek Village told the council during the public-comment period that shoaling at the creek mouth has worsened since Hurricane Ian and subsequent storms, making boat access difficult and posing safety concerns for older boaters. Joseph Winterberger said the earlier dredging project had “a very positive impact” and urged council to approve renewed work. Wayne Dunn, speaking for Spring Creek Village, said survey measurements with staff showed as little as 11 inches of water at half tide in portions of the lower channel and called the situation a “safety issue.”
Staff briefed the council on technical limits and permitting constraints. Matt (surname not given) said the city previously dredged Spring Creek in 2019 after a multi-year permitting process with the state and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He said a dynamic shoal at the mouth contains roughly 500 cubic yards of sediment within the city’s existing permit template and that the city could remove that material under emergency or expedited mechanisms tied to recent storms. The permitted dredge depth in the area is limited to about minus 3.5 feet (NAVD88) because the work is inside the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve.
Staff estimated construction costs for the spot dredge at about $130,000. Council members and staff noted the small volume of the job and its localized nature will produce relatively higher unit costs compared with larger projects; Matt said the work would likely span several weeks on site once a contractor is mobilized. The anticipated procurement timeline was discussed: about three months to complete the formal bid and award process and potentially six months from bid to on-site work, depending on contractor schedules and permit timing. Councilmember Bogaz asked whether dredging contractors could be asked for pricing on other city waterways while mobilized; staff said any additional work would need to be supported by demonstrated need and would likely be subject to separate maintenance authorities.
Council voted unanimously to direct staff to begin the permitting and engineering process, and to pursue emergency or expedited state and federal permits when applicable. The roll call recorded Ayes from Council member Corey, Council member Fullick, Council member Bogaz, Deputy Mayor Purdon, Council member Carr, Mayor Gibson and Council member Fitzpatrick.
Staff said next steps include initiating engineering services, preparing procurement documents and seeking construction funding; the council did not appropriate construction funds at tonight’s meeting.
