May 2025
FACT SHEET
Lee County, FL BEC
Construction (C)
Congressional Districts: 19
1. DESCRIPTION
The Lee County, Florida Shore Protection Project was initially authorized by Section 201 of the Flood Control Act of 1965, Public Law 89-298 and approved by Senate resolution dated December 17, 1970, and House resolution dated December 15, 1970. The Captiva Island segment was authorized for construction under Section 506(b) of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 1996, Public Law 104-303. The Gasparilla Island and Estero Island segments were authorized for construction under Section 309 of the WRDA 2000, Public Law 106-541.
The shore protection project at Captiva Island is approximately 4.5 miles long. The Captiva Erosion Prevention District (CEPD) completed initial construction of the project at Captiva Island in April 1989. The authorized project also includes beach fill and periodic nourishment along 2.7 miles of Gasparilla Island with a 0.5-mile revetment and a groin at the southern end of the island, and initial beach fill and periodic nourishment along 4.6 miles of Estero Island with a groin at the northern end of the island. Lee County completed initial construction of the Gasparilla segment in 2007. The sponsor has constructed a portion of the Estero Island project but has not submitted for reimbursement.
2. FUNDING
| Estimated Total Cost |
$255,500,000 |
| Estimated Federal Cost |
$56,500,000 |
| |
|
a. Regular Civil Works Funds:
| Allocation thru FY24 |
$16,847,000 |
| Allocation for FY25 |
$0 |
| President's Budget FY26 |
TBD |
| |
|
b. P.L. 115-123: Bi-Partisan Budget Act of 2018, Supplemental:
| Current Working Estimate |
$35,000 |
| Allocation thru FY24 |
$35,000 |
| Allocation for FY25 |
$0 |
| FCCE |
|
| Current Working Estimate |
$4,300,000 |
| Allocation thru FY24 |
$4,300,000 |
| Allocation for FY25 |
$0 |
| |
|
c. P.L. 117-328A: Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act:
| FCCE |
|
| Current Working Plan |
$28,400,000 |
| Allocation thru FY24 |
$530,000 |
| Allocation for FY25 |
$250,000 |
| |
|
3. SPONSORS
Captiva Erosion Prevention District (CEPD)
Post Office Box 365
Captiva Island, Florida 33924
Lee County Division of Natural Resources Management
1500 Monroe Street (3rd Floor)
Fort Myers, Florida 33901
4. STATUS
Lee County beaches were impacted from Hurricane Ian in late September 2022. The Corps, Jacksonville District prepared Project Information Reports for the Gasparilla Island and Captiva Island segments to determine Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies (FCCE) eligibility under Public Law 84-99. The Gasparilla Island Segment PIR was positive. The Sponsor is working to obtain remaining perpetual easements needed for the upcoming nourishment of this segment. Plans and specifications to be prepared for a FY26 award. Additional damages to Lee County beaches occurred in 2024 with hurricanes Helene and Milton, volumes for the FY26 will be adjusted accordingly for the Gasparilla Island Segment.
Lee County beaches were previously impacted by Hurricane Irma in 2017. The Gasparilla Island segment received FCCE funding from the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, and construction was completed in June 2019.
The Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) approved the Final Integrated Section 934 Report and Environmental Assessment in July 2019 which allowed for the federal participation in the Gasparilla Island segment to be extended to 2056. The Corps and Lee County executed Project Partnership Agreement (PPA) Amendment No. 1 on June 1, 2022, to incorporate the extension.
No current planning is underway for the Estero Island segment.