City staff briefed the Committee of the Whole on Oct. 15 on the status of Cape Coral’s citywide dredging permits and next steps after a multiyear permitting effort. Staff also asked council to support outreach to federal and state officials to accelerate Corps and DEP permit review.
Jordan Zamory, stormwater division engineer, explained the city’s dredging challenge: Cape Coral manages roughly 400 miles of canals and approximately 31 miles of shoreline. The last comprehensive maintenance permit had been issued for ten years and later extended twice. Corps headquarters rules prevented a second extension, requiring the city to refile new permits. Staff submitted a citywide permit plus several stand-alone permits (Redfish, Mat Lachey, and Units 44/64). Redfish had reached an approval stage and staff planned to advertise a contract; other permits remain under Corps or DEP review.
Zamory said city engineers and outside consultants are prepared to use a mix of mechanical and hydraulic dredging depending on canal conditions. The city is acquiring a small in-house spot dredge to handle shallow, isolated “outlier” areas quickly without mobilizing major contractors. Large-scale maintenance dredging will be done by contractors paid from the stormwater fund after permits and procurement are complete…