The first organized beach nourishment activity in Lee County occurred on Captiva Island under the direction of the Captiva Erosion Prevention District (CEPD). The scope of work has varied over time and has included cooperative projects on Northern Sanibel.

 
Project History
 

 
Projects are managed by CEPD. During some years, this project was cost shared through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  Lee County bed taxes pay for a portion of the work. 

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Blind Pass is a relatively small inlet to Pine Island Sound located between Captiva and Sanibel Islands. The Blind Pass Project is designed to remove sand that deposits in the pass and place it on the beaches of Sanibel Island, as recommended in the Blind Pass Inlet Management Plan (1993). A feasibility study conducted for the City of Sanibel, Captiva Erosion Prevention District (CEPD) and Lee County in September 2003 recommended the project to provide a stable tidal connection between Pine Island Sound and the Gulf of Mexico for environmental reasons. An Inlet Management Study was completed in 2018 and an Inlet Management Plan (IMP) adopted by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in 2019. The IMP defines strategies for long term management of the inlet and adjacent beaches, and recommendations for further study.

Project History
 

 
This project is a cooperative effort including Lee County, Captiva Erosion Prevention District, City of Sanibel and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Download the latest state funding application​ for additional project details.

Download the latest physical monitoring report.

Future nourishment will be the primary responsibility of the Town of Fort Myers Beach. Lee County will continue to provide technical support to the Town and cost sharing through the bed tax funded Beach and Shoreline Program. Opportunities will be sought for regionalization of future projects.

Project History
 

Download the latest physical monitoring report.
 

The project consists of the nourishment and maintenance of approximately 1.1 miles of shoreline on Lovers Key State Park.  The project shoreline is comprised entirely of critically eroded shoreline within one of Florida's most visited State Parks. Cost savings are being realized by coordination of the project with Bonita Beach Nourishment.​​ Permit conditions are designed to ensure protection for sea turtles and shorebirds.
 

Project History
 

 
This project is cost shared by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Download the latest state funding application for additional project details.

Download the latest physical monitoring report.
 

The project consists of the nourishment and maintenance of approximately 0.8 miles of shoreline on Little Hickory Island. The project shoreline is comprised entirely of critically eroded shoreline. In addition to beach nourishment, two groins were constructed at the northern end of the project to anchor the fill and prevent sand losses into Big Hickory Pass.  Cost savings are being realized by coordination of the project with Lovers Key. Permit conditions are designed to ensure protection for sea turtles and shorebirds.
 

Project History
 

 
This project has been cost shared by the City of Bonita Springs, local property owners, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

Download the latest state funding application for additional project details.

The Gulf Beaches are Lee County's most attractive feature and are considered to be its number one economic asset.

In 2013, 4,797,933 visitors to Lee County made over $2.77 billion in direct expenditures and paid $28.6 million in tourist taxes!  Without healthy beaches the vast majority of these tourists may not visit Lee County, which means our economy, local taxes and employment could be sharply impacted. Visit The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel tourism website to learn more.

Lee County works to attract new business and industry to our community. The coastal location and miles of white sand beaches are an extremely important asset in promoting our area as a site for business relocation. New business helps to diversify our economy and protect the community's future economic viability.

The quality of our beaches is a reflection of the quality of life in Lee County.

Beaches are the lifeblood of recreational activities in Lee County. Whether you are an angler, boater, sailor, swimmer, snorkeler, diver, sheller or sunbather, you benefit from healthy beaches.

Beaches are important infrastructure for recreation, and deserve the same care and attention as our roadways, parks, buildings and other public works.