THE I*' I 1 \> » {'.'<" '. •, < . II' t J- 7,2005 "2 4;! :P;A:G£;S Katrina — We were ready... Clam Bayou to get new flow source By GARY PHILLIPS By GARY PHILLIPS [email protected] [email protected] A major project is underway to help Sanibel and most of southwest Florida improve the water quality and flood control narrowly missed being hit by Hurricane on the west end of Sanibel. A large culvert, Katrina last week as she crossed the penin- comprised of three concrete boxes, each sula to our south through more sparsely approximately eight feet tall, is being populated areas. The storm then gained installed underneath Sanibel-Captiva Road power over the Gulf of Mexico's warm which will allow tidal flow to replenish the waters and grew to record-breaking water supply between Dinkins Bayou and .strength and size as it bore down on New Clam Bayou. Orleans and the coastal areas of Mississippi Without such flow the water in 470- and Alabama. acre Clam Bayou ages and stagnates, The Sanibel City Council held a special harming mangroves and causing fish kills -ew't meeting Thursday, August 25, to discuss and flooding problems for area homeown- hurricane preparedness and inform the pub- ers. The bayou provides a nursery habitat lic on the status of the storm. for many wildlife species with seagrass "Hopefully this meeting is for no use at beds, oyster bars and dense mangroves. All all, but we will see," Mayor Carla Johnston of these rely on a supply of new water from opened the meeting. the tides to flourish. City Manager Judie Zimomra said the According to a report from the City of city staff wanted to update the council and Sanibel's Natural Resources Department, the citizenry on what steps had been taken four major mangrove die-offs and fish kills to prepare for the storm which was closing have occurred in Clam Bayou since 1988. in on the east coast near Miami at that time. Less than four years ago in October, 2001, Photo by Renny Severance "As always, we want to be certain the a major impoundment killed an estimated The San-Cap Road is getting a new culvert between Dinkins and Clam Bayous. council and the public at large has the latest 116 acres of mangrove and caused an esti- ing spots in Lee County. The city report when the rainy season dumps excessive information we have for you," she said. mated 6,000 fish to die, including snook, states that numerous redfish, spotted fresh water into the bayou. The regular Poiice Chief Bill Tomlinson gave a tarpon, redfish, mullet, goliath grouper and seatrout, goliath grouper up to 40 pounds flow of water from the Gulf of Mexico report on Katrina's location and strength. several other species. and tarpon up to 30 pounds are common would greatly lessen these changes by When the water is allowed to cycle into catches. When the water cannot flow prop- • See KATRINA and out of fiie bayou with the tides, the area erly the salinity levels rise dramatically See CULVERT page 3 is considered one of the best saltwater fish- during times of drought and drop too low page 3 attracted here because of the environment and the sense of community, but they may or may not be the Hyatt to retire from CHR at month's end volunteers. They may not have the same understanding or allegiance to the community because they live in By GARY PHILLIPS • v;. several different places through the course of the [email protected] year." :.' ^*. i The original concept of the program in the early Jan Hyatt, long-time Executive Director of 1980s was to have private developers construct the Sanibei's Community Housing and Resources, Inc. housing units to be available to CHR for a specified (CHR) has announced plans to retire and relocate to period of time, after which the developer would regain Sarasota. She will continue at the position through control of the property and could sell it, rent it or do September. whatever they chose. Hyatt said the idea was ultimate- The Pennsylvania native said she first started visit- ly rejected because the city didn't want high-density ing Sanibel in 1963 and became a full-time resident in development on the island. Also, as the properties 19S6. She went to work for CHR that year, starting as reverted back to the developers they would have to be an assistant and eventually working her way up to rpp'cCt"! with other affciinhl." rnits to "ie^t the need'- Exec.i'ive Director, a post she has held for 13 years. r>f the [' ^"••" 1';r wbun ,ne j ro2r<*ni' • J S'iiu"> Vt'Jt, Hyr4 has seen chanpe" on Sviib-M err1 ^ *"Hr> r<pT> prog;;.- i over the years v-"1 < • "L V'3' rate • 'r j t".,i Vr, • v I < ' _ to ': •• '- • ! * •' * r See ifYAT'I — Sec page 9 See page 23 •> -I hi US . page 21 Sec poge 10 page ( 2 Q Week of September 1 - 7, 2005 Q ISLAND REPORTER Fire & R^cue moving into new quarters Sovlttos Accoynt Photo by Gary Phillips Danny Duncan, Tim Barrett and Jim Anholt move the department's office contents from temporary quarters in the Village to the new firehouse on Palm Ridge Road. Connecting two bayous I Sunser Cnmses Renral & Toun Boar Tmps enjoy fiwlickinc, dolphins, scenic TOURS and Sambel's famous simsejs 5.- •.•.. ",• : • • ' • • •"• .,iZ ••>.<••• :r :?>: »* Photos by Renny Severance A major project is underway to connect Dinkins Bayou and Clam Bayou by means of a culvert under the San- Cap Road. 634 H-. YACHTSMAN SANtSEL, FL s •s. U,: ' • .wiiminili ' " &rfr It's Safe..It's Simple Blood Donors Save Lives Taste m the Islands 2005 FLORIQA;S Best Appetizer BLOOD CSNTERIS Best Booth Presentation Cape Coral 601 N. Del Prado Blvd. Fort Myers 3714 Evans Ave. And for the 5th Year in a Row, 1-888-9DONATE THE PIGNUTS CMOIC1 WINNEfct Call 239-939-1811 to schedule a mobile drive today ISLAND REPORTER • Week of September 1 - 7, 2005 • 3 be paying special attention to water flow management as the storm approached. KATRINA Manager of Administrative Services Jim Miromar Outlets to serve as drop off Isom is the liaison between the city and Lee From page 1 County and,gave a briefing on the county's point for Hurricane Katrina relief storm plans for the causeway. Miromar Outlets will serve as a major entrance of Reebok and The Florida He said the projected path of the storm "The county is monitoring the weather reports very closely," he said. "They are drop off point for financial donations to Winery stores. All financial contributions included Sanibel and heavy rains, strong the American Red Cross for victims of will go directly to the American Red winds and tornadoes were possible. securing construction materials on the causeway. If it's considered necessary they Hurricane Katrina. Monetary contribu- Cross Disaster Relief Fund as they assist Tomlinson said Lee County Electric Coop tions in the form of checks, cash, or cred- victims of this catastrophic disaster. planned to have crews at the ready to restore will be moving the cranes and barges on it card will be accepted on Thursday, Hurricane Katrina relief effort is the electric service if needed. Friday morning to a predesignated loca- tion." Sept. 1, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. largest American Red Cross mobilization Tomlinson advised thai residents use the American Red Cross Lee County of resources for a single natural disaster normal precautions when severe weather Zimomra said the city's phone lines would be staffed extra hours on Friday Chapter volunteers will be in the parking involving thousands of trained disaster approaches, securing lawn furniture, trash lot at Miromar Outlets located next to the relief workers. cans and any other items thai could be evening and all day Saturday to answer the moved by strong winds. He said homeown- higher than usual volume of calls expected ers with storm shutters should put them in from the public seeking hurricane informa- Councilman Jim Jennings said he had and Alabama serve as a warning of what place. He said it would be wise to have a tion. She said "nonessential" personnel concerns about the storm gaining strength storm surge can do. few days supply of canned foods, bottled were being instructed to not report Friday or changing directions. "In the past year the media has been water and medications. He said further but lo work at home instead. "I'm concerned about flooding, espe- very helpful to us as we try to educate the updates would be posted on the city's inter- "All public works, utilities and police cially some of the low-lying areas," he said. public about storm surge," she said. "I net web site. personnel and most of the administrative Zimomra said state law mandates that don't think anything can educate the public personnel are considered essential," she "1 just want to remind people to lake this hurricane shelters are operated by the as well as Hurricane Katrina has. A picture said. storm very seriously," Tomlinson cautioned. county and there were no plans to open is worth a thousand words and hopefully it "It seems with the storms that aren't pro- Councilman Steve Brown asked which shelters based on the forecast at that time. helps educate people in what we've been jected to be big hurricanes, we kind of have direction should be taken if the storm "The worst thing you can do is sail for trying to explain the meaning storm surge a tendency to ignore.