If you’ve tried to get out on the water just about anywhere across Lee County lately, you already know there’s a problem.
With over 50,000 registered boaters, from Boca Grande to Bonita Springs, our waterways aren’t just recreational, they are a cornerstone of our economy and a defining part of our Southwest Florida way of life. And yet, access seems to be in a state of “slack tide.”
For years, local boaters and waterfront businesses have been waiting for solutions that have yet to materialize. Nearly a decade ago, the downtown Fort Myers boat ramp and trailer parking were removed with the promise of something bigger and better. That promise remains unfulfilled. In the meantime, demand has only increased, leaving existing ramps overcrowded and access more difficult than ever.
This didn’t happen overnight-and it’s not just hurricanes or red tape. While agencies like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA can contribute to delays, these challenges long predate Hurricane Ian. They reflect years of growth without a plan and a failure to keep pace with demand. Since 1990, Lee County’s population has grown by more than half a million people, yet public boating access has not expanded to match.
The consequences are clear: congested ramps, limited dockage, and growing frustration among boaters, fishermen, and marine businesses.
Communities like Boca Grande depend on the water as a central part of daily life, local identity, and the economy. Residents, visitors, and businesses rely on safe, efficient access to the Gulf and surrounding waterways. Combined with parking limitations that are already putting pressure on tourism and local businesses, restricted access and outdated infrastructure impact everything from fishing to property values.
Ongoing disputes between Lee County and Charlotte County over a new three-hour parking limit in Boca Grande point to a larger breakdown in coordination and leadership. Policies like these raise a serious question: are we supporting our local businesses-or driving customers and beachgoers away?
The question is no longer whether we have a problem. The question is why the problem hasn’t been appropriately addressed.
Southwest Florida deserves a coordinated, forward-looking approach. That means expanding boat ramp access, increasing dockage, accelerating the removal of derelict vessels, and finally delivering on long-promised waterfront infrastructure projects. It also means recognizing that our waterways are vital economic engines that deserve thoughtful planning and meaningful investment-just as we prioritize other critical infrastructure. The character of our coastal towns, the strength of our local businesses, and the experience of those who live, work, and visit here all depend on a healthy, accessible waterfront.
The bottom line is simple: Access to our waterways should not be an afterthought.
It’s time to move beyond delays and deliver real solutions. Our boaters, fishermen, and waterfront communities deserve infrastructure that reflects both our growth and our priorities.
What’s missing right now is not awareness. It’s action and coordination. These challenges are not isolated; they are the result of growth outpacing planning and a lack of follow-through on long-promised solutions.
We need a clear, county-wide strategy that treats our waterways as essential infrastructure. That means identifying and developing new boat ramp locations, restoring and modernizing existing facilities, and ensuring adequate parking and access points that match current demand, not what our population looked like decades ago. It also means streamlining coordination between local, state, and federal agencies so projects don’t stall for years without accountability or progress.
At the same time, derelict vessel removal must be treated as a priority, not an afterthought. These boats pose environmental risks, safety hazards, and economic consequences for waterfront communities. There should be a defined timeline for removal and a system that ensures it actually happens.
Just as importantly, decisions that impact access must be made with input from the communities and businesses they affect. We should be supporting our coastal economies, not creating additional barriers for the people who sustain them.
This is about managing what we already have in a smarter, more responsible way. With the right planning, transparency, and leadership, we can restore balance, protect our waterways, and ensure they remain accessible for generations to come.
Southwest Florida was built around the water. It’s time we start treating it that way.
Amanda Cochran, Southwest Florida Business Alliance.
Editor’s note: Ms. Cochran is a Lee County Commission candidate.