On June 3, the Sanibel City Council unanimously voted to provide a letter of support for the acquisition of a property owned by the Sanibel Community Church by Lee County’s Conservation 20/20. 

“The 34-acre property would provide a unique acquisition for the program, protecting a pond apple slough, ample wading bird territory, and water quality in the bay.  If the program acquires the land, it would also prevent future congestion on Periwinkle Road, if the property were to be developed,” said SCCF Environmental Policy Director Matt DePaolis in his comments to the council. 

The letter will be sent to the county prior to the upcoming Conservation Land Acquisition Selection Advisory Committee (CLASAC) meeting, where the proposal will be presented. 

“SCCF fully supports this acquisition and encourages all community members to attend the meeting,” said DePaolis.

The CLASAC meeting is June 18 at 5:30 p.m. in downtown Fort Myers at 2201 Second Street, Room 118.  To learn more about the meeting, click here.

Council members also discussed SB 180 – Emergencies and voted unanimously to draft a letter to the Governor asking him to veto it. 

“While there are many good aspects of this bill, there are restrictions contained within that would drastically curtail the city’s ability to improve the resilience of the island,”  said DePaolis.

To take action on SCCF’s ongoing campaign asking the governor to veto this harmful bill, click here.