Government to spend millions on beaches

CAPTIVA — The government plans to spend $36.7 million on three beach nourishment projects in Lee County this year.

The largest project will be the $21 million nourishment of 6.4 miles of beach in Captiva and north Sanibel from Redfish Pass to Bowman's Beach. Federal and state dollars will pay for half the cost of the project, which is scheduled to begin in August and be completed by the end of the year.

The next-largest project will be the beach nourishment of 3.1 miles of shoreline from 17th Street to Boca Grande Pass on Gasparilla Island. Federal and state government will pay for 80% of the $10.5 million project, which is scheduled to be completed by Thanksgiving.

The third project is nourishment of one mile of beach at Bonita Beach and another mile at Lover's Key State Park. State and local governments are funding the $5.2 million project scheduled to be completed in early 2014.