Feb 1, 2007

Lee County Government, through its Division of County Lands, closed today on the purchase of that portion of Cayo Pelau Island which lies in Lee County. The purchase, selected and funded by the County's Conservation 20/20 Land Buying Program, was for $2.5 million.   The island, consisting of approximately 116 acres of wetland mangroves, and approximately 10 acres of uplands, lies a short distance to the west of Bull Bay in Charlotte Harbor, near Gasparilla Sound.  Cayo Pelau contains a very high diversity of native plant communities, including rare tropical hardwood hammocks and three small sandy beaches.  The mangroves provide critical shoreline storm protection and water quality benefits for the surrounding region. The island provides suitable foraging and nesting habitat for a variety of avian species as well as nesting habitat for the listed wading birds common to southwest Florida.  Cayo Pelau has long been associated with tales of buried pirate treasure. In truth, the island was home to prehistoric Native Americans, Cuban fishermen, and Columbus B. McCloud, a 19th century Audubon warden.  Cayo Pelau clearly contains extensive and important archaeological deposits throughout the property, for which careful studied and protection is required.  Considerable support for Lee County's acquisition of the property has been demonstrated through numerous letters, phone calls to staff, and attendance at public meetings.  In fact, the Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association, Inc. has pledge $10,000, and the Calusa Land Trust and Nature Preserve of Pine Island, Inc.,  has pledge $20,000, toward the purchase price of the property.  The Board of Commissioners' citizens' advisory committee, CLASAC, voted unanimously to pursue the property for acquisition. 

The Seller's original asking price was $6.8 million.   However, through detailed and lengthy negotiations with the Division of County Lands Staff, the seller agreed to sell the property for $2.5 million. The total acreage purchased under the Conservation 20/20 program to date is 17,582.

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