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Marine Environmental Resource Task Force highlights dredging, toxic-waste collection day and nominates two Mulholland awardees
Summary
The Marine Environmental Resource Task Force (MURPH) reported to the council about canal dredging recommendations, scheduled a toxic‑collection day at Bay Oaks on Feb. 4, 2026, discussed an Arbor Day program, and asked the council to accept two Mulholland award nominations; council approved the nominations unanimously.
Fort Myers Beach — The Marine Environmental Resource Task Force reported to the Town Council on Monday and asked the council to accept the committee's recommendations on several environmental and community initiatives, including canal dredging, a hazardous‑waste collection day and nominations for the town's Mulholland stewardship awards.
Dave Nussbaum, chairman of the task force, said the committee voted 6‑1 to advise the council to continue exploring options for canal dredging, noting storm damage had left some canals clogged with sand and silt and unable to accommodate boats. Nussbaum said the committee did not select a single financing path and urged the council to review staff options for paying for the work.
The task force also announced a toxic‑collection day scheduled for Feb. 4, 2026 at Bay Oaks for residents to drop off leftover paint, primers and cleaners; Lee County will collect items, and the town and partners will provide free disposal for residents.
On community outreach, Nussbaum said MURPH plans an Arbor Day event next April that could distribute free trees to residents and seek nursery discounts or donations to restore tree canopy lost in the storm.
Nussbaum presented two nominations for the Mulholland award, an annual town award for stewardship of the island. The committee recommended Bill Bronsword and Mitch Fusick (co‑founders of Tuner/Tuna Skin) and Mary Rose Spoletta. The committee cited long‑running volunteer beach cleanups, contributions to sea‑turtle and shorebird efforts, and donations to local stewardship causes. Councilor King moved to accept the committee's recommendation and council voted unanimously to approve both nominations.
The task force report also noted that chair Jennifer Rusk is vice chair and that the committee plans to continue work on coastal mitigation discussions and outreach to residents.
The council thanked the task force for the report and for organizing the toxic‑collection event, and congratulated the award nominees following the unanimous vote.
