Preserving Paradise

SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION

SCCF presents priorities to county legislative delegation

The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation reported that on Dec. 7, Policy Associate Holly Schwartz presented the 2023 priorities to the Lee County Legislative Delegation, highlighting the SCCF's commitment to fighting for clean water, a healthy environment and resilient future. Overall, it expects to stand up against bills that will weaken protections for vulnerable ecosystems, greenwash coastal development through seagrass mitigation banking and remove incentives for individual rooftop solar, according to the SCCF. “We expect 2023 will be an active legislative session, ” she said. “SCCF is excited to work with our partners, stakeholders and supporters to make it successful for Southwest Florida. ” In her presentation, Schwartz recognized that one of the most important focuses of the upcoming session would be hurricane recovery efforts. “As one of the hardest hit areas in Lee County, SCCF strongly maintains that a healthy natural environment is the best defense against storm impacts, ” she told the legislators. “Our general legislative efforts will continue to prioritize conservation, resiliency, ecosystem restoration, water quality, the prevention of harmful algal blooms and the protection of home rule. ” The following are the priorities that SCCF submitted to the delegation for review:

Conservation

∫ The SCCF supports statutorily dedicated funding for the Florida Forever conservation and recreation lands program. Land conservation is critical for supporting Florida’s tourism and nature-based economy.

Resiliency

∫ The SCCF supports protections to net metering and other incentives to the implementation of roof-top solar for individuals. ∫ The SCCF supports the monitoring of the implementation of the Resilient Florida Program to ensure that grant funding is being spent thoughtfully on solutions to climate change. ∫ The SCCF continues to support a ban on oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and a transition to energy sources that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Ecosystem restoration

∫ The SCCF supports continued funding to complete the construction of the C-43 reservoir and water quality treatment component. The project is essential for restoring clean freshwater flows to the Caloosahatchee estuary. ∫ The SCCF supports prioritizing funding and expediting the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir and Stormwater Treatment Area. The EAA

DDWS reports on refuge programming and more

The “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge reported that the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge's waters, lands and facilities are closed to the public until further notice due to hurricane damage. Consequently, many programs and events are canceled. In addition, the DDWS provided the following updates: ∫ Starting on Jan. 2, the Refuge Wellness team will begin mindfulness programming at the Sanibel Recreation Center. ∫ The DDWS' major annual fundraiser, “Go Bully for “Ding” — An Evening with Teddy Roosevelt, ” will take place on March 6 at the Broadway Palm in Fort Myers. ∫ The 10th annual “Ding” Darling-Theodore Cross High School Photography Contest continues. The deadline for entries is March 1. For information, contact DDWS Associate Executive Director Sierra Hoisington at shois@dingdarlingsociety.org. Also, Refuge Complex Project Leader Kevin Godsea gave a status report on post-hurricane clean up and rebuilding progress at the DDWS annual meeting on Dec. 7, which included the following: ∫ U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service crews from up north will work on shoring up washouts and safety hazards along Wildlife Drive, trails and Tarpon Bay Explorers, with a projected opening date for the drive and some of the trails in late January or early February. ∫ The Indigo and Calusa Shell Mound trails suffered more severe damage and likely will not reopen for a year or more. ∫ Besides washouts, Tarpon Bay Explorers experienced roof damage and loss of equipment. Although no date has yet been set, limited operations should begin soon. ∫ The wildlife at the refuge is doing well, although the recent red tide resulted in some fish kills. Staff is seeing lots of white pelicans and other birds, along with bobcats eating horseshoe crabs. Rangers have seen few marsh rabbits and other small mammals. ∫ The Visitor & Education Center fared well, but damage to the air-conditioning will require re-engineering to raise ductwork above the flood zone. Staff is hoping to partially reopen the center, but currently there is no timeframe.

REFUGE/DDWS

Planning for mindfulness programs at the Sanibel Recreation Center is underway.

Tips to help boost recycling efforts during holidays

Lee County Solid Waste is offering tips for the holiday season to help residents determine what to recycle, what can be repurposed, and what needs to go in the trash bin. The county's waste stream generally increases about 20% during the holidays and perhaps even more this year due to Hurricane Ian, but taking even a few small steps can help reduce the amount of waste generated.

Take charge of electronics Popular each holiday, the latest tech gift often upstages a slower, less capable model. Residents can safely and responsibly dispose of old electronics and rechargeable batteries at no charge. Take them to the Lee County Household Chemical Waste Facility, at 6441 Topaz Court, Fort Myers. Hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and the first Saturday of each month from 8 a.m. to noon.

Recycle the usuals Aluminum and tin cans, glass bottles and jars, plastic containers can be recycled if: ∫ The plastic containers are labeled #1 through #7. ∫ They are empty, clean and dry. ∫ However, paper plates, used napkins and plastic utensils go in the trash.

Wrap it well and then … ∫ Think about which gift bags, boxes, tissues and bows you could potentially store and reuse next holiday season. ∫ Break down your shipping boxes and gift boxes and place them in your recycling bin. Recycle only boxes that did not contain a liquid. ∫ Put used wrapping paper in your recycling bin, unless it has a metallic finish. ∫ In terms of packing materials, air pockets and bubble wrap are not recyclable in your home recycling cart. Put them in your trash or check availability to recycle them at some area grocery stores.

What to do with the tree ∫ Be sure to remove the tree stand, lights, decoration and tinsel. ∫ Broken and burned-out strands of lights go in the trash. ∫ Set green Christmas trees out with your yard waste. ∫ Trees will be ground for use as mulch or compost. ∫ Flocked trees with that snowcovered look cannot be recycled due to the white powdery mixture on their branches. Put them with your trash. For more information, call 239533-8000 or visit www.leegov.com/solidwaste.

Help clean up the refuge with a ranger

Volunteers can now sign up and join a J.N.

“Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge ranger every Wednesday to help gather up all the small debris left behind by the storm. Part of Wellness Wednesday, the program will include a discussion about the benefits of being active and spending time in nature. Volunteers will target different parts of the refuge each week. Gloves, bags and grabbers will be provided. Participation is limited and registration is required. Volunteers must have access to Sanibel. For more information or to sign up, visit DingDarling.Eventbrite.com. REFUGE/DDWS

FWC approves rule on grant-funded removal of vessels

At its recent meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved a rule amendment allowing local governments to apply for and use grant funding from the Derelict Vessel Removal Grant Program for removal of at-risk/public nuisance vessels. The program only allowed governments to apply for and use grant funds to remove, destroy and dispose of derelict vessels. “The FWC takes the quality and safety of our waterways very seriously, ” FWC Boating and Waterways Section Leader Maj. Rob Beaton said. “This change provides a means for vessels to be removed from the water before they become a danger to our public and our environment. ” Removing at-risk/public nuisance vessels before they become derelict will save taxpayers money. Removal costs for vessels still floating are significantly lower than costs for removing sunken derelict vessels. It will help protect Florida's environment and the boating public. Derelict vessels can cause the destruction of valuable seagrass resources, endanger marine life and pose navigational hazards. A vessel is considered at risk of becoming derelict if any of the following conditions exist: ∫ The vessel is taking on or has taken on water without an effective means to dewater. ∫ Spaces on the vessel that are designed to be enclosed are incapable of being sealed off or remain open to the elements for extended periods of time. ∫ The vessel has broken loose or is in danger of breaking loose from its anchor. ∫ The vessel is left or stored aground unattended in such a state that would prevent the vessel from getting underway, is listing due to water intrusion, or is sunk or partially sunk. In addition, recent changes to Florida law provide that if a vessel owner is issued three citations within 18 months for the same at-risk condition, the vessel could be declared a public nuisance and may be removed using processes similar to the removal processes for derelict vessels. For more information, visit MyFWC.com/Boating and click on “Waterway Management” and “Derelict Vessel Removal Program. ”

SCCF From page 12

Reservoir Project is critical for reducing the damaging high-volume discharges to the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries and rehydrating the Everglades. ∫ The SCCF supports funding for the Lake Hicpochee Phase II Project. The project includes construction of a Flow Equalization Basin (FEB) that will provide an estimated 9,000 acre-feet of shallow storage for local stormwater and Lake Okeechobee regulatory releases that would otherwise go into the Caloosahatchee Estuary. ∫ The SCCF supports full funding for Everglades restoration to keep projects on track with the Integrated Delivery Schedule (IDS). Everglades restoration is essential to improve the health of the Caloosahatchee.

Water quality

∫ The SCCF supports updating statewide stormwater standards for development to reduce runoff of pollutants such as nitrogen, phosphorus and suspended solids to protect water quality. ∫ The SCCF supports robust permitting for development in wetlands, coastal high-hazard areas and other sensitive locations to ensure that adequate protections remain in place for natural resources.

Harmful Algal Blooms

∫ The SCCF supports the implementation and funding of the Blue-Green Algae Task Force recommendations to address nutrient sources and innovative technologies to mitigate blooms. ∫ The SCCF supports the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Harmful Algal Bloom Task Force and funding for research and monitoring of red tide and other harmful algal blooms in Florida’s coastal waters. ∫ The SCCF supports the reduction of anthropogenic nutrients into local waterways through voluntary programs such as BMPs and Septic to Sewer Conversions, as well as enhanced regulatory protections for our waters.

Protection of home rule

∫ The SCCF supports home rule and opposes any statewide pre-emption policies that would restrict the ability of local governments to regulate land use and protect natural resources. The 60-day Florida Legislative session will start on March 7 and run through May 5. The SCCF will provide bill tracking and analysis through its Legislative Tracker at https://www.sccf.org/ourwork/environmental-policy.