CHNEP Subcommittee Meeting

North Spreader Canal Ecosystem Management Agreement Process

 

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

 

Overview Presentation (PDF @ 3,030 KB)

Fish Information (PDF @ 765 KB)

 

 

Outcome

Even after hearing all the history and people’s perspectives, it was difficult for TAC and CAC voting members who were present to decide partly because the consent order requires an up or down vote on either replacing the barrier or accepting the package of net ecosystem benefits identified and accepted by the 20 members of the North Spreader Ecosystem Management Agreement Committee. Another reason was that many present don’t believe that the City of Cape Coral will implement the benefits in the package without stronger requirements. The TAC voting members present voted 3 to 3 on replacing the barrier. They then voted 3 to 3 on accepting the projects outlined in the net ecosystem benefits package with the caveat that the report be more inclusive of other ideas discussed (although this doesn’t comply with the up or down vote requirement). The CAC members present voted unanimously to replace the barrier. All of the outcomes will be presented to the CHNEP Management Committee, which meets August 6 at City Hall in North Port.

 

Agenda

 

This meeting allows discussion of the North Spreader Ecosystem Management Agreement (NSEMA) Net Ecosystem Benefits (NEBs) to provide guidance to the CHNEP Management Conference regarding CHNEP's final vote on NSEMA.

 

You may participate in this meeting in-person, by conference call or by WebEx. You do not need to let us know if you intend on participating in this tele-conference. If you have questions, please contact Judy Ott 866/835-5785, ext 230 or jott@swfrpc.org.

 

Location: SWFRPC (1926 Victoria Ave, Fort Myers)

 

Conference call: 888/808-6959, Conference Code: 3382550

 

WebEx: Please initiate WebEx 10 minutes prior to meeting start time.

  • In your internet browser, enter: https://suncom.webex.com/suncom/j.php?S=599511591

  • You do not need a username or password.

  • On the left menu click on Browse Meetings, then click on the Monthly tab.

  • Arrow to July, click on Wed. July 28, then click on NSEMA Subcommittee meeting.

  • For sound, call 888/808-6959 and enter Conference Code 3382550 when prompted.

Overview: In 1977, a consent order was issued by FDEP ordering the construction of a canal system (spreader canal) to intercept freshwater from Cape Coral's residential canals. The canal was intended to provide water quality treatment of the inflows and distribute the inflows evenly over the western canal bank into the mangroves and Matlacha Pass.

 

In the 1990s, breaches were first observed as well as erosion at the Ceitus barrier.

 

In 2008, the consent order was amended to require the City of Cape Coral to remove the barrier and enter into an "Ecosystem Management Agreement" process. Legal action resulted in a $3.5 million escrow account and inclusion of petitioners in the process. The 19 stakeholders reviewed, assesses and identified projects and their net ecosystem benefit (NEB). The projects fall into three categories: mandatory implementation by the City of Cape Coral Environmental Resource Permit (ERP), projects outside the ERP process and projects that are considered beneficial but are without a sponsor.

 

Additional details are provided:

Comments to the agreement or process have been provided by:

Additional resources  are available by FDEP at www.dep.state.fl.us/south/TMDL/tmdl.htm.

 

 

THIS MEETING IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Two or more members of the Everglades West and Caloosahatchee Basin Working Groups, Peace River Basin Management Advisory Committee, Peace River Basin Management Working Group, North Spreader Waterway Stakeholders Group, or Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council may be in attendance, and may discuss matters that could come before the respective body.