Collier County residents hoping for solutions to mitigate storm surge may have to wait longer. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has paused its 3-billion-dollar flood prevention study due to a lack of funding.
The study, aimed to explore ways to reduce flooding in vulnerable areas like Seagate Drive, originally proposed building three 14-foot flood walls along Seagate, Bonita Beach Road, and U.S. 41 East. But public opposition led the Army Corps to reconsider, shifting the focus to nature-based solutions like constructing dunes, restoring mangroves, and elevating buildings.
Mary Quatroche, a Naples resident whose condo sustained significant damage during Hurricane Ian, expressed frustration over the lack of progress.
“Something’s got to be done,” Quatroche said. “We’ve had effects again from the two storms that came this September and October. It’s not going away, and we need to do something.”
The study was meant to develop long-term strategies to combat storm surge. Christopher Mason, Collier County’s Community Planning & Resiliency Division Director, said the Corps informed local officials last month that the lack of funding forced a pause.
“The Army Corps folks at this point have their own dwindling funds and would not be able to make certain milestones that were associated with this project,” Mason explained.
Eve Cooke, a coastal resilience fellow with the Environmental Defense Fund, clarified that the controversial flood wall plan is no longer under consideration.
“It’s off the table,” Cooke said. “The only things that are on the table are hardening and elevating structures, some mangrove restoration projects, as well as some beach nourishment and dune renourishment.”
Officials estimate it could take eight to twelve months to secure additional funding and resume the study. However, that timeline could be pushed back even further if more money is not readily available.