FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Chris Koepfer with Lee County  Natural Resources Division
               (239) 479-8133                                                           

MATLACHA ISLES MAIN ACCESS CANAL TO BE temporarily CLOSED FOR DREDGING

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (July 1, 2003) – Today the Lee County Natural Resources Division, in conjunction with the City of Cape Coral, began a cooperative project to dredge areas of the Matlacha Isles canal system and boatlift.

The main canal providing access to Matlacha Isles will be closed to boating traffic starting on July 2^nd and lasting until at least July 16^th due to this dredging project.

The canal will be closed from 7 a.m. until noon and from 1p.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday thru Thursday during the weeks of the project.

The canal system is critical to the proper functioning of all public drainage systems, navigation, and flood protection.

The Division of Natural Resources and the City of Cape Coral seeks the cooperation of all boaters in the area with the dreading team. Total cooperation will expedite the project and will decrease the probability of delays.

For more information, please contact Chris Koepfer with Lee County  Natural Resources Division at (239) 479-8133