Canal cleanup: City staff says work performed is permit compliant

From page 1A shorelines in the Ceitus and Embers Parkway areas Wildlife advocates especially are concerned with the proximity of crews to the habitats of protected species such as the burrowing owl, gopher tortoise, and many birds

Hurricane Ian destroyed so much foliage, so many trees

Cape Coral has the least amount of green space of probably any city in Florida and here they are raping 400 miles of canal banks of foliage and trees ” said Cape resident Lori Haus-Bulcock, who spoke and shared photos of work that had recently been performed along canal shorelines What do they think is going to live here anymore? Cape Coral has become ‘pave paradise and put up a parking lot ’”

A large contingent representing non-profit Cape Coal Friends of Wildlife spoke at the meeting They feel the current operation of debris collection has seen an over-removal of vegetation that they say has disturbed and destroyed wildlife habitats, resulted in an unprotected shoreline, and has lowered quality of life for property owners They are also worried that what they called over-removal could correlate with how contractors are compensated which the city has said is by cubic yard CCFW board member and Friends of Wildlife Trust President Cheryl Anderson said it is the group’s mission and they will fight tooth and nail to protect all wildlife species in the city

The city has sent us the permits they received from the Army Corps and the (Department of Environmental Protection) -- and they all specify clearly it s for removing hurricane debris it says nothing about live vegetation ” Anderson said to City Council “It says nothing about stripping the banks -- it says hurricane debris And we all know what that is, we picked up lots of debris following the storm I did You did It s dead branches and leaves, that's not what we re seeing being picked up

She added while there are lots of owl and tortoise burrows marked there are a many that are unmarked as these species relocate to look for food and shelter Additional concerns are that next week starts nesting season for the burrowing owl

On the topic of erosion, Anderson said, A lot of these homes were safe from flooding by the plants and the roots, and the vegetation that was on the banks of these canals Now that’s been eliminated ” Anderson worries that the first big rain following this work will see silt, soil, and runoff enter the canal

Then what happens? We have to get it dredged And that’s what you should be using in the first place -- you should have a barge to remove this debris And now you’re going to have to dredge these canals because all of that soil is going to go back in the water

I ll say what I said while I sat in a Category 4 hurricane at my friends house; Make this stop Please, make this stop ’”

Resident and CCFW member Dan Carney said his concern is what he called the lack of activity on the part of the city of oversee the process I think it s really important for all the citizens of Cape Coral to maintain whatever wildlife we ve got It s precious, he said “A lot are either endangered or threatened I just don’t understand how this kind of program can be put in place with no accountability and it’s up to the citizens that live there to come to (Council) and tell you what s going on in your own city and own neighborhood

Carney said the work being done has damaged not just the wildlife that live there but the opportunity for visitors to come and explore and enjoy these special creatures and waterways that Cape Coral has to offer

We re destroying the very reason people come here, Carney said

CCFW past president Pascha Donaldson said she s spent the last four days out where the crews (Tetra Tech and Ceres Environmental) were working and was told they should not discuss any happenings with her

“Some of the issues I have is -- those people who are walking the field that so- called are qualified from Tetra Tech to identify wildlife -- do they know what an indigo snake is? Do they know what a gopher tortoise burrow looks like when it s only 3 inches wide as opposed to a huge burrow? The answer given to me was yes in this one incident The person grew up here in Cape Coral and is familiar with it Lots of people grew up in Cape Coral, but they re not familiar with it They re not certified They re not trained

The people out in the field -- I don t understand why they weren’t trained from the beginning We’re into February this started in November I don’t understand why Fish and Wildlife weren t consulted Donaldson shared her frustration that if a crew needs to get to one piece of debris that may be hanging over the water, they have to remove anything in their way

“It’s unnecessary ” she said “I’ve been out there I’ve witnessed it I saw rabbits running into the street getting killed I ve seen dead snakes on the road This is changing the ecology of our waterways; the most precious thing we have here in Cape Coral We re approaching and in nesting season for our real snowbirds that come down here to have their babies What’s going on?”

City staff responds

Following the public criticism, Public Works Director Michael Ilczyszyn and Solid Waste Manager Terry Schweitzer addressed the topic and thanked CCFW for what they do for the community

“I committed to (Donaldson) that I would go out in the field, I would speak to debris contractors, I would speak to debris monitors and observe crews, and I ve done that, Ilczyszyn said Terry and I have both looked at ways to improve what we’re doing and we’re continuing to do that

“The task that Terry and I have is to deal in fact and to deal in the regulatory scope that we have ”

Ilczyszyn said he understands that residents have indicated that green vegetation is being removed, which he doesn t dispute I ve seen it I ve been there I ve observed it It s unfortunately part of the recovery efforts ” he said

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I ve seen it I ve been there I ve observed it It s unfortunately part of the recovery efforts ”

Cape Coral Public Works Director Michael Ilczyszyn of the removal of green vegitaton along canals that have hurricane debris

Ilczyszyn added that damaged trees can still have green branches and leaves for up to 6 months despite the inevitability it will die

The city s Army Corps permit states that crews have to cut a damaged tree at the root, and then stand it back up on the canal in order to prevent erosion They are not allowed to remove in its entirety Ilczyszyn said they basically chainsaw it at the waterline and then use a bucket to peel it back and fold it back into place If there s other vegetation in the way of that machinery getting to the canal bank or to that fallen debris in the canal crews are required by the permit to basically cut their way into it

“They are authorized to remove that green stuff to get to it, Ilczyszyn said It s part of the process It s not perfect

Ilczyszyn said there are independent monitors on-site with each crew to make sure they re not being overly aggressive and clearing properties and are looking out for endangered species such as burrowing owls and gopher tortoise

“Debris monitors their job is to make sure it’s not that free-for-all that is being described, Ilczyszyn said They verify the stuff being taken out is eligible They have no incentive to take out more than what is required

City officials this past week met with the National

See CANAL CLEANUP, page 19A