Cape Coral approves wetland credits for city projects | Lee County

Cape Coral City Council at its Jan. 7 meeting approved the purchase of credits from the Little Pine Island Wetlands Mitigation Bank to compensate for the impact of several city projects on wetland ecosystems.

Each credit represents the ecological value of an acre of healthy, restored wetlands and is required to obtain permitting from the South Florida Water Management District and other regulatory agencies.

The city purchased 0.59 forested freshwater and 0.39 herbaceous freshwater credits for $208,800 to offset the impact of building the Oasis Sports Field project; one forested freshwater credit and 0.93 herbaceous freshwater credits for $406,350 for the extension of Andalusia Boulevard covering three-quarters of a mile; and 0.02 forested saltwater credits for $7,600 for mangrove trimming in Sirenia Vista Park.

The credits are designed to restore and preserve wetlands in the Mitigation Bank’s service area, which includes portions of Collier, Lee, Sarasota, and Charlotte counties.