Who cleans this up? Neighbors say dumping near Cape Coral waterway is getting worse

CAPE CORAL, Fla. — Neighbors in Cape Coral say a once-scenic quarry near their homes has become an illegal dumping ground, leaving trash, debris, and containers believed to hold motor oil scattered near the water.

The dumping is happening near a waterway off SW Pine Island Road and Chiquita Boulevard South. Residents say what used to be a peaceful fishing spot has steadily deteriorated over the last two years.

Seth Marlowe says the area was once a place he enjoyed spending time with his son.

“We live right over there, and he goes over here with his fishing pole all the time,” Marlowe said. “It wasn’t like that a year ago.”

Now, he says, people dump everything from household waste to vehicle parts.

“You name it — tires, oil, car parts — whatever you name, it’s there,” Marlowe said.

Neighbors are especially concerned about a jet ski left behind near the water, surrounded by what they believe are gallons of motor oil.

According to the Lee County Property Appraiser, the land and water are privately owned by Chiquita Land LLC, the same company that developed the surrounding neighborhood. Still, residents say private ownership should not make the area a dumping zone.

While neighbors say they haven’t caught anyone dumping trash in the act, they believe convenience and lack of accountability may be contributing to the problem.

“Hopefully something gets cleaned up, or at least they put a stop to it,” Marlowe said.

WINK News reached out to the City of Cape Coral and Cape Coral Police to ask who is responsible for cleanup and how illegal dumping is enforced, even on private property.

As of publication, neither had responded.