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π Chiquita Lock Removal
For anyone interested in the recently completed removal of the Chiquita Lock in Cape Coral, linked here is a position paper we published on the matter in 2020. Many poor decisions have transpired since then, but the facts about why the lock should have been upgraded instead of removed haven't changed.
A summary from the document:
β’ Long running narratives within the City lack a full understanding of the history of the spreader systems, their initial design intent, as well as the primary sources that make up the Cityβs stormwater. It bears repeating, the Chiquita Lock was NOT put in place solely because of septic tanks.
β’ Removal of the Lock was found to impact the health of the mangrove fringe as well as habitats for two federally protected species: smalltooth sawfish and manatees.
β’ FDEP estimated that removing the lock will introduce 30,000 lbs. of nitrogen per year into the Caloosahatchee.
The permit to remove the lock was granted by the state largely due to mitigation credits proposed by the City. These are on-paper estimates of nitrogen load reductions from a variety of other projects which may or may not prove effective.
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