Fort Myers Beach advisory committee urges operator to relocate helicopter landing barge from Estero Bay nursery

The Marine and Environmental Resource Task Force Advisory Committee for the Town of Fort Myers Beach voted unanimously Jan. 14 to recommend that the town work with a helicopter-tour operator to relocate a floating landing barge now anchored near Matanzas Pass Island and a dolphin/manatee nursery.

Residents and wildlife advocates packed the meeting to oppose the barge location, describing repeated takeoffs and landings, sustained noise over neighborhoods and potential harm to dolphins, manatees and nesting birds. Monica Lynn, founder of Pod Protectors of Fort Myers Beach, said she has spent roughly nine years documenting local dolphins and cited NOAA guidance and acoustic research in urging relocation: “I am thoroughly convinced by information provided by scientists and my own experience that both drones and helicopters taking off near dolphins do put them at risk.”

The operator, Steve Overy, told the committee he had voluntarily come to the meeting to listen and emphasized efforts to comply with federal and state requirements. “Our helicopter operations are conducted legally, safely, and responsibly,” Overy said, adding that the company has engaged environmental stakeholders and aims to go “beyond what is legally required.” He also offered to help develop emergency-response plans that could assist Fort Myers Beach during evacuations.

Town Manager Will McCanney told members the municipality’s shoreline jurisdiction extends roughly 1,000 feet from the shore and that the barge’s current position is outside that boundary; town staff can only advise and flag possible violations to agencies with jurisdiction. “He followed that guidance and set up where he’s been doing his training,” McCanney said, and the town will continue to provide recommendations and work with the operator.

Harbormaster Kurt Lutteberg said the barge as measured is approximately 1,239 feet from the shoreline and identified alternate anchor areas — including parts of San Carlos Bay near Bowditch Point and zones past Salty Sam’s — while noting those sites would lengthen the operator’s transit time.

Committee discussion focused on two issues: the barge’s location in sensitive habitat and the noise and compression effects associated with helicopter takeoffs and landings. One committee member cited recent regional seagrass losses and worries that anchors and shading could further degrade feeding grounds. A letter from Dr. Beth Brady, director of science and conservation at Save the Manatee Club, was entered into the record and warned that helicopter noise at takeoff (typically 80–100 decibels) can transmit intense energy into shallow water and induce behavioral and physiological responses in marine mammals.

Rob Howell moved that, if helicopter tours proceed, the committee recommend the town work with the operator to relocate the landing pad to a more ecologically and residentially compatible site; the motion was seconded and carried unanimously. The committee will forward the recommendation to the town council and staff will keep working with the operator and relevant agencies.

The committee emphasized its advisory role: it has no statutory authority to prohibit operations outside the town’s jurisdiction but said the public record and ongoing engagement are important first steps. The town manager and harbor master said they would continue coordinating with FAA, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Army Corps of Engineers, Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Lee County on compliance matters.

Next steps: the committee will forward its recommendation to town council and monitor whether the operator moves the barge to a less sensitive location; further public comment and follow-up are expected at future meetings.