County awards $4.6 million contract for Bob James Preserve restoration; project to rehydrate wetlands
Loading...
Summary
Staff reported awarding a $4.6 million construction contract to Thomas Marine for Bob James Preserve restoration work aimed at rehydrating wetlands and reducing nutrient loads to the Caloosahatchee River; $2.5 million of the construction funding came through DEP/Water Management District channels, staff said.
Lee County staff reported the award of a $4,600,000 construction contract to Thomas Marine for restoration work at Bob James Preserve, a property purchased by the county in 2006.
The project covers two areas (the West Cypress Field and the Victor's Creek Field). Staff said work includes repairing maintenance roads and installing water control structures to rehydrate wetlands and retain water that can slowly bleed back into adjacent sloughs. The stated intent is to reestablish hydrologic connections and limit excessive drainage so the wetlands can recover.
Staff said the project has funding support from state water‑management channels: roughly $2,500,000 was identified through DEP and managed through the South Florida Water Management District to support construction. The committee was told the work is expected to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus entering the Caloosahatchee River, and staff described permitting and design work underway for related projects at other preserves.
Next steps: construction award was announced to the committee; permitting and construction scheduling will follow as design and permitting advance.
