Cape Coral begins restoration after mangroves at Seven Islands site were removed without permits

Crews surveyed the Seven Islands property in Cape Coral on Tuesday as part of a project to restore and stabilize the shoreline after construction crews mistakenly removed mangroves in June without permits. “The problem with the mangroves that disappeared, it affects the ecosystem quite, quite a good bit,” said Michael Cook, a Cape Coral resident who has lived in the city for about four years. Cook said he is excited to see the Seven Islands project completed despite the controversy surrounding the removal of the mangroves. “The Seven Islands project is a little bit controversial, I know, but it may really add a nice boost here... in northwest Cape Coral,” Cook said. The Cape Coral City Council approved the purchase of the 48-acre site in February. The project will include a hotel, retail space, condos and a harbor. The city issued a permit to remove invasive plant species, not mangroves. Residents expressed mixed feelings about the project, with some eager to see it completed soon. “I hear about the slowdowns and problems with the mangroves, but I consider that just a normal cost of doing business every once in a while. So, hopefully everything will turn out right and be done earlier than expected,” said Danny Lavergne, another Cape Coral resident. Cook added, “We’ve been waiting for a lot of these projects to come and get built.” The developer expects to complete the preparation work around mid-September. Afterward, the South Florida Water Management District and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers must approve the mangrove restoration plan before planting can begin. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment, and original programming on your TV.