[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6363933,"mediaKeyId","2165521-901d87ca7211d529d00c0b3a6c6be84c","parentId",2165521,"title","Committee advances islandwide dune-planting plan, FWC to apply herbicide in posted shorebird zones","audioSeconds",1777,"startMs",639000,"endMs",2416000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165521-901d87ca7211d529d00c0b3a6c6be84c&start=639&end=2416","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165521-901d87ca7211d529d00c0b3a6c6be84c/thumbnail_639000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6363933/Fort-Myers-Beach/Lee-County/Florida/Committee-advances-islandwide-dune-planting-plan-FWC-to-apply-herbicide-in-posted-shorebird-zones","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6363933-a49b8bb34298b6551278eccdc72d137e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141304&Signature=AnnZ0NdoSRP2inD9vxP5BbzJwdRKd8PpHt724Q4J0QiGKdK7uV6emJBacb8zMWCGWVyOUP4kTcG5oWqJO-C8LnnckHj-DnQ96CwpCIUdZJMrLqTcCG3C3Hst5boWOYuJgdGveYxS3Gi0ydJ9xH3fVrpC0BU58O8VReBXTT5tFT7DfZRySMU-wr1dJrKTI7lRPrHlhZo88Mbv2h13yznd2yMvBmLwpsCJBRkmYSiJkZJ76aSflPNDeEUJ33vP5fNtps9Ov3BvnOO-jjeW6AMRRs4LjZc~ITp0mtfokcAZs2hy2Ghvh2rBRm4QfiCVBPGGqfV5B~4lq~ecNm-HUy1DEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town Council of For Myers Beach, FL","date","2025-01-29T13:26:51Z","article","The MURPH advisory committee on Fort Myers Beach reviewed a multi-block dune-vegetation plan meant to increase shoreline resiliency and reduce hazards to nesting shorebirds.

Committee chairman Dave Nussbaum told members that the plan is intended to “plant as much as we can” and said the first rollout will follow a one-size-fits-most approach, with exceptions handled case-by-case.

The plan matters because committee members said years of un-vegetated openings and vehicle raking increase erosion and reduce nest survival. The committee discussed a standard planting module that shows a typical 100-foot-wide dune segment with a 10-foot access opening; one schematic presented called for roughly 70% sea oats, 15% panic grass and small amounts of other native species, plus 1-gallon “mature” sea oat plantings to improve survivability.

The committee discussed beach-owner easements and permitting limits. Chad (town staff) told the group the dune management plan as stamped by the State and town code allow a 10-foot cleared access for equipment and that if property owners have not signed the easement they do not receive the plan benefits. Chad also said, “If property owners want 30 foot gaps per 100 feet, they can get that,” and clarified the dune plan’s implementation limits and the 75% rule for vegetated/unvegetated area described in the plan.

The group discussed shorebird management for the 6000–8000 blocks. Nussbaum and Chad said FWC applauded last season’s owner cooperation and will not issue a blanket “block” incidental-take permit covering all those blocks; instead FWC will partner locally, post protected areas and — where needed — issue take permits for narrow, defined access corridors. Chad said FWC will apply an approved herbicide only in posted areas and that “that’s where we’re at on the herbicide.”

Committee members raised operational questions about whether tractor raking or the use of MobiMats (temporary beach access surfaces) would be allowed near nesting or turtle-critical areas. Chad said FWC authorization for such products typically ends at the dune feature and recommended consulting FWC biologist Brianna on specific locations; he planned to ask her for more detail during a scheduled call.

Members emphasized phased rollout to limit disruption. The committee proposed a phase 1 plant-out using the low-dune scheme across contiguous properties, then phase 2 funding to add species diversity for wildlife habitat at selected sites. Chad and the engineering team will post the schematic on the town website, solicit owner feedback, and prepare bid documents for contractors. The committee targeted planting before the sea-turtle season if demobilization of the ongoing beach nourishment pipe allows, and asked staff to coordinate planting timing with the contractor’s March demobilization forecast.

The meeting produced direction to staff rather than a formal policy vote. The committee asked staff to brief town council in the next council update and to post the planting plans for public comment so bids can go out quickly.

The committee also noted that beach nourishment and future construction (buried and exposed pipeline) make planting timing critical; Chad said it makes little sense to plant areas that will soon be reworked and advised doing site-by-site scheduling to avoid rework.

Ending: The committee instructed staff to post the schematic, gather owner feedback, pursue a bid schedule that aims for planting before turtle nesting if possible, and to brief council on the project in the next council update.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Marine Environmental Resources Task Force (MERTF), January 29, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The MURPH advisory committee on Fort Myers Beach reviewed a multi-block dune-vegetation plan meant to increase shoreline resiliency and reduce hazards to nesting shorebirds.","taxTitle","Fort Myers Beach, Lee County, Florida","taxId",66110,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6363918,"Staff reports 435 cubic yards of marine debris removed; beach-nourishment pumping to resume and is expected south by March 1",148,3723000,3871000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165521-901d87ca7211d529d00c0b3a6c6be84c&start=3723&end=3871","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165521-901d87ca7211d529d00c0b3a6c6be84c/thumbnail_3723000.jpg","/articles/6363918/Fort-Myers-Beach/Lee-County/Florida/Staff-reports-435-cubic-yards-of-marine-debris-removed-beach-nourishment-pumping-to-resume-and-is-expected-south-by-March-1","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6363918-a342ef2f01258ea0049c10b984330d59/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141304&Signature=dcub7xsrvE4yy1EyJW4ApxPlkKlpceGGmRSgOTd0di3-2nNpcXZyGgKyMyLP8T9yA5eIjhWLJn9DqmTzib6JDZO7lHAPsBMKYq--bXD48IDOAh5wVzLX8oeRzVJGICLDH4dVw-u0YN~VXH5ceFk3n3Fk2KGQWeAWSFQv~qSdOkA7-NZ-JOqCXr9ZOWwn9C3QM-u9MIITpznx0hXVqCG9aJ3MeFO3BzXBoiArRwKa4VC8p3vdsbTPt2LSY2iBHpAk~h4lyS2sb6JVOLaMbPup7N6e-t-AyM9LnVi5-r1oEeUVNuaVApsJSn4jbzITZxIxDjxiJfNx-5OGfCRyUfRheA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town staff gave updates on two ongoing projects: marine-debris removal and the beach-nourishment placement.

Chad reported the marine-debris contractor has collected approximately 435 cubic yards of debris from waterways and is coordinating with the harbor master and marine operators. He said the contractor has had positive community feedback and planned to continue collection during the current low tides.

On beach nourishment, staff said storms and equipment failures (booster-pump issues) have set the work back. Chad told the committee the contractor had procured parts and resumed pumping south of Diamond Head; staff expects that pumping in the southern stretches will be finished by about March 1, barring further setbacks. Because the contractor will demobilize pipeline and equipment, Chad recommended scheduling plantings after demobilization to avoid rework.

To meet wildlife-permit conditions, staff said the town has regular bird monitors, contractor bird monitors and engineering-staff monitors conducting daily routes; the town also applied for a contingency incidental-take permit for a short shorebird season and considered non-injurious deterrents where permitted.

Ending: Staff will continue to coordinate debris removal, monitor beach-nourishment progress and coordinate planting windows with demobilization and wildlife monitoring requirements.","Town staff reported about 435 cubic yards of marine debris removed from waterways and said beach-nourishment pumping is expected to resume and be substantially complete in the south by about March 1.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6363923,"Committee reviews fenestration tests suggesting ~30% visual transmittance reduces turtle disorientation; members await peer review",635,2448000,3083000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165521-901d87ca7211d529d00c0b3a6c6be84c&start=2448&end=3083","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165521-901d87ca7211d529d00c0b3a6c6be84c/thumbnail_2448000.jpg","/articles/6363923/Fort-Myers-Beach/Lee-County/Florida/Committee-reviews-fenestration-tests-suggesting-30-visual-transmittance-reduces-turtle-disorientation-members-await-peer-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6363923-096c3e96288c3579e27299baea55357c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141304&Signature=OpwMT5zDMvcf6WS3UDTIVRlcUTIUNa0-hXU7dfp08Px3aqTWFGFRXJbvJ3Bg-uEgS6VBj7dhXguGgoGrd4J-2a7jrkoKDM7zyEqjYUg9OWD8~ihJe9Tf7PlK2~2mRe03p3E3WEZBuYSjh55vDsG01If2L9mlLsB6wAofjJ4WgZwl3PLYghx4RXndJg8A2sOr~HZmF8agzFh98ZmN1a~zPIhvN~Oll5dD1f4uCjo03tOVjYPtdo~C-6-8rC1rEcem0yVoaNr2FL60wX2ZVxKCnwO53GOqpml4cU9v5wNBAzguVcstzkX5hlc6b6eYLGwhMDXkz2QfeaKem4rlsxIugg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Committee members reviewed recent fenestration-industry test results that examine how window tint (visual transmittance, or VLT) affects hatchling sea-turtle disorientation.

Chad summarized correspondence from the fenestration industry and said initial tests with hatchling leatherbacks and loggerheads “preliminarily… appear that a point 3 tint is, and anything darker than that, is effective in reducing the disorientation of the turtles.” He also reminded the committee that the state currently has a 45% VLT mandate referenced in earlier correspondence.

Members urged caution. Councilor Chris King and other committee members said the industry’s experiment is a useful data point but recommended waiting for peer-reviewed studies and broader corroboration before changing local rules. One committee member observed, “The way that science and that community works is that... it may be very well true and factual, but until it's peer reviewed and other experiments are done… it’s gonna take time.”

Staff noted the operational complexity of enforcement: VLT is a percentage and interior curtains or intense interior lighting can affect turtle disorientation even when glazing meets a VLT standard. Chad said his practical experience shows blackout curtains eliminate light issues regardless of glazing.

Members discussed incentives as an intermediate strategy: instead of imposing a new mandatory standard, the town could offer an incentive for property owners who install windows at or below an evidence-based VLT level so occupants would not need additional curtain requirements.

Ending: The committee asked that staff track peer-reviewed results from FGCU/fenestration testing and keep the committee informed; no formal regulatory change was proposed at the meeting.","Industry testing discussed by the committee showed a preliminary significant reduction in hatchling disorientation at about 30% visual transmittance (VLT). Committee members said they will review peer-reviewed studies before recommending local code changes, and discussed incentives for voluntary adoption.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6363927,"FGCU team validating Hurricane Ian simulations; committee aims for March presentation",277,361000,638000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165521-901d87ca7211d529d00c0b3a6c6be84c&start=361&end=638","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165521-901d87ca7211d529d00c0b3a6c6be84c/thumbnail_361000.jpg","/articles/6363927/Fort-Myers-Beach/Lee-County/Florida/FGCU-team-validating-Hurricane-Ian-simulations-committee-aims-for-March-presentation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6363927-f42196bd154f2490f8aa5c9ab1a67253/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141304&Signature=Ek7Qui5SGArEnCxmmpUQWj79KgnPqSXTIDCCPdFN4Z0Pj53B8yiB8zo9SdPmhxs0oj8tG9shWWz8AIHPtQkmFRXjJXqb~Uc2NMim6mjpuPVYP89LslovbaFxyNmohdpToiYxBOs~n61bRiBGYvmupxYTTAaXcLn~6pAdp70oPhNIuen6hoUaOlKtuHuBetZJZbreM9TSp5hT8n8bAm3FqqUUoAJE9dvY9iGEYx5xddSWfvFx5h6SboKM1IRo7bmhN-gVkbKfZFCAXRdNK9UPrnOu0dsFeilyOSmPFf2Ka9Jzh66Size5Dh-w7Dzdzr-zo9lis6pe-u9VmB1l-j3oAA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee heard an update from town staff that Florida Gulf Coast University researchers have completed a Hurricane Ian test case and are validating their hydrodynamic/resiliency model against observed post-storm data.

Chad read an email from Dr. Daley, noting the team has “completed the Hurricane Ian test case” and is comparing model results to post-storm observations; validation for other nearby beaches such as Sanibel and Lovers Key is also underway. The researcher aims to finish validation by the end of the month and then run resiliency experimental simulations, with sets of results projected to be ready by February and a planned presentation around March.

Chairman Dave Nussbaum said the committee hopes to target a March meeting for the FGCU presentation; if that is not feasible the group will aim for April. Committee members asked for comparative results from other beaches when available so Fort Myers Beach can better understand regional differences in surge and ebb dynamics.

Ending: The committee directed staff to schedule the FGCU presentation for the March meeting if possible and to circulate validation results when ready.","Staff reported that FGCU researchers completed a Hurricane Ian test case and are validating model results against post-storm data; experimental resiliency simulations are expected after validation with a projected presentation to the committee in March.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6363914,"Committee approves routine agenda and minutes; authorizes up to $500 for Murph booth and names Chris King volunteer of the month",3251,93000,3344000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2165521-901d87ca7211d529d00c0b3a6c6be84c&start=93&end=3344","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2165521-901d87ca7211d529d00c0b3a6c6be84c/thumbnail_93000.jpg","/articles/6363914/Fort-Myers-Beach/Lee-County/Florida/Committee-approves-routine-agenda-and-minutes-authorizes-up-to-500-for-Murph-booth-and-names-Chris-King-volunteer-of-the-month","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6363914-905191e5bdc34b6cb126c1549dcfca7d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771141304&Signature=hwh9hfqc7qaAyjcydr4RwoQ5cUggRWdTGoBVzDIjUpDxrKcRcJ2xgPb8nLcgFdtdQEvteV5HehVmxYXvuS0oeohV9qJm7rYwC6mjUJ1Bo1fKoABt1Fea7WQyHAwB5ztMv7KqBEGTpbLtKPJuN1LWF~qipuy7OjTpzbZ8NmNfmW0qziHucPKCtLf1VDwM5x-K2SQBpaWH3VSCCt5KoH21we8HG~0DaW-9Uqyb-JF2DR7DKiITwhtuytX~eKYXrkQCkGmhhSC4sSawlVe7nlYK0OC7CiYnXjwYcpZOh0YphYD96CrkmYsY~EqmCRdRqZ46cg8VfIStcBWOJrseuCCplA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee handled routine administrative business and three formal outcomes during the session.

The meeting began with a roll call and the committee unanimously approved the agenda and the previous meeting minutes. The committee then considered an outreach-budget request: a motion to authorize up to $500 to replace the Murph booth tent and tables for outreach events. The motion was seconded and carried; staff will proceed with purchasing replacement items within that limit.

Later in the meeting the committee considered nominations for the Murph award. Members nominated Chris King for consistent volunteer beach cleanup work; the committee voted and the nomination carried unanimously.

Ending: The committee adjourned after approving standard minutes and agenda, authorizing the outreach purchase, and confirming Chris King as the Murph award recipient.","The committee approved the meeting agenda and prior minutes unanimously, authorized up to $500 to replace the Murph outreach tent and tables, and unanimously selected Chris King as this period’s Murph award recipient.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee advances islandwide dune-planting plan, FWC to apply herbicide in posted shorebird zones

Staff reports 435 cubic yards of marine debris removed; beach-nourishment pumping to resume and is expected south by March 1

Committee reviews fenestration tests suggesting ~30% visual transmittance reduces turtle disorientation; members await peer review

FGCU team validating Hurricane Ian simulations; committee aims for March presentation

Committee approves routine agenda and minutes; authorizes up to $500 for Murph booth and names Chris King volunteer of the month