County explains why debris removal deadline not extended for Estero Boulevard

By NATHAN MAYBERG nmayberg@breezenewspapers com

While the Town of Fort Myers Beach Council was told last week that right-of-way removal service for hurricanerelated debris has been extended for approximately 60 days by the Florida Division of Emergency Management on side streets, that does not include pickup on Estero Boulevard a road owned by Lee County

The town council was told by CrowderGulf’s Regional Manager Barton Holmes last week that Florida’s Division of Emergency Management has extended the pickup on side streets for up to 60 days But it wasn’t clear why that wouldn’t extend to Estero Boulevard, the town’s main thoroughfare and home to most of its businesses.

Lee County was responsible for debris pick-up on Estero Boulevard in a service funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency through March

Lee County government spokesperson Tim Engstrom said “Lee County’s right-of-way collection schedule corresponded to FEMA’s original Public Assistance completion deadline of March 29 ” Engstrom said “this was reflected in a ‘set out’ deadline of March 1, so that crews could wrap up the actual collections in time. This schedule also coincided with that announced by Fort Myers Beach and Sanibel ”

Engstrom said that one of the issues for the county is the removal of concrete slab demolitions (and similar) for Estero Boulevard “The county’s vendor does not have the equipment necessary to collect this material,” Engstrom stated “That is because this work is not typically eligible for FEMA reimbursement of right-of-way collection costs Moreover, the demolition contractors doing this work should be responsible for its disposal ”

Fort Myers Beach spokesperson Jennifer Dexter said the extension of the deadline by FDEM “means that property owners who live on the town’s side streets can continue to place heavy storm-related debris curbside in the right of way for free pick up until notice is given otherwise Contractors with FDEM will continue to collect this debris ”

That will not include Estero Boulevard

Amelia Johnson, Florida Division of Emergency

Management Deputy Director of Communications and External Affairs, stated in an email “Lee County was responsible for storm-related debris pick up on Estero Boulevard you will need to contact the county directly ”

The Florida Division of Emergency Management is no longer accepting applications from private and commercial property owners to remove eligible debris, vehicles, vessels, and other title property

For information about an application submitted prior to the March 29 deadline, Dexter said residents should call 850-961-2002, Monday through Friday 8 a m to 8 p m and Saturday and Sunday 9 a m to 5 p m

Waterways debris removal contractors vetted by the Florida Division of Emergency Management have been cleaning Hurricane Ian debris from public waterways for several months No deadline has yet been set for this work to end

Household trash pickup is operating on a regular schedule For questions about pickups, contact Waste Management at 239-334-1224