Town reports major canal debris removal nearly complete; dredging, funding questions remain

At a meeting of the Anchorage Advisory Committee for the Town of Fort Myers Beach, staff reported that the canal debris-removal contract is approaching its scheduled end and that most large items obstructing navigation have been removed. "The end date is the thirtieth of this month," said Curtis, a town staff member overseeing mooring and canal operations.

Committee members said the remaining work is focused on large items in canals and on finding submerged debris that side-scan sonar can miss. That, combined with the need for underwater surveys and permitting, means the town has not yet decided whether to extend the contractor’s work or to seek additional federal or state assistance.

Why it matters: boaters have reported navigational hazards since Hurricane Ian, and several members said clearing canals and the channels that feed them is both a safety and an economic issue for Fort Myers Beach. The committee discussed dredging as a separate, more complex policy topic that raises environmental, permitting and funding questions.

Staff overview and next steps: Curtis told the committee that the current contractor has removed the largest obstructions and that crews continue work on items identified in recent inspections. He said crews still find debris that lies flat in mud and can escape sonar detection until divers or walking crews recover it. Curtis said the town will discuss options in the coming days, including whether to request FEMA guidance or a contract extension and whether to present a recommendation to town council.

Dredging vs. debris removal: Committee members contrasted the current debris-removal work with full dredging. Multiple members noted the town previously discussed canal dredging before Hurricane Ian but lacked dedicated funding. One member urged a level-set document to show "what's real, what are the facts," so neighbors and property owners know whether earlier plans remain in effect.

Funding and legal complexity: Members and staff raised multiple constraints: (1) the Tourist Development Council (TDC) and bed-tax programs generally support beach renourishment, not canal dredging; (2) many canal reaches are private or recorded under homeowners associations, which complicates cost-sharing; and (3) federal jurisdiction (the Intracoastal Waterway and outside channels) ends at the Caloosahatchee, which affects eligibility for federal maintenance. The committee discussed the possibility of a cost-sharing model, use of spoil sites versus trucking dredged material to land, and environmental risks from disturbed sediments.

Public-safety and liability questions: Members asked whether the town is liable if a boater strikes submerged debris. Curtis said liability rests with the vessel operator and that boat insurance commonly covers such damage; he noted the town requires updated insurance on file for mooring-field users as a precaution.

Committee direction: Members asked staff to aggregate removal data (quantities removed and photos) so the town can tell the story of canal cleanup to the public and media. Several members recommended collecting exact counts of canals, mapping public vs. private ownership, and reporting how many canal-front properties operate as rentals. Staff agreed to return with a factual one-pager and any permitting status to support future council decisions.

Ending: The committee did not vote on dredging or funding; it asked staff to compile data, clarify ownership and permitting status, and report back so members can decide whether to make a formal recommendation to council.