Beach & Shoreline Program

Overview

Our beaches and ecology are the main draw of visitors to Lee County, and the beach and shoreline program serves as a great enhancement to these assets with funding provided by the tourist development tax. Since 1990, this program has allocated more than $190 million dollars to a variety of countywide projects related to beach maintenance, beach renourishment, and beach park facility development. Project funding is provided by 26.4% of the 5% tourist development tax collected on short term accommodations in Lee County. Each of these projects represents a cooperative effort with governmental agencies in Lee County from our local municipalities to the federal government. With the countywide nature of the program, new recreational opportunities are being provided in areas of Lee County that our visitors have not historically visited, presenting new experiences and opportunities for exploration.

The Beach & Shoreline program provides direct benefit to visitors and residents alike, all with the goal of promoting tourism while preserving and enhancing our beaches and shoreline. Many of these projects have proven to have a major impact on visitor activity. For example, the visitor count at Lovers Key increased more than 138% the first year after the completion of the Carl Johnson/Lovers Key project, with 53,653 visitors in 1998 and 127,723 in 1999. Since then, the numbers have reflected an amazing increase with almost a million visitors each year, making it one of the most popular state parks in Florida. Lovers Key State Park had a direct impact on the local economy of more than $130 million dollars in 2021. The investments from the beach and shoreline program are clearly paying off!

Additionally, these tourist-generated funds have served as budget supplements, allowing for the provision of services at a level that exceeds what could be provided without additional taxation to local residents. For example, the maintenance of the public beach accesses is funded by the tourist tax at no additional cost to the residents who also use these facilities.

TDC & Long-Range Erosion Control Plan

Each year the Tourist Development Council (TDC) appropriates a portion of the beach and shoreline program funds to a beach re-nourishment trust fund to assist with future re-nourishment needs. This is done to protect our most precious tourism asset—our beaches. As part of its long-range plan, Lee County Department of Natural Resources has estimated the erosion control funds needed over the next ten years. Each erosion control project undergoes a thorough cost-benefit analysis to determine funding opportunities. After assigning the state and federal cost sharing figures, the balance required for each project is divided by the storm protection and recreational benefits. The storm protection portion is deemed the responsibility of the property owners.  Everywhere the beach is publicly accessible (as defined by the State of Florida), the recreational portion is funded with bed tax revenue.

Current Projects & How Projects Are Funded

Local governmental agencies may request funding each year. TDC members review the requests and evaluate each project on several criteria to determine if they are eligible for funding. Once the projects receive TDC approval, they are forwarded to the Lee County Board of County Commissioners for inclusion in their annual capital improvement budget (CIP) process.

The TDC’s recommendations for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 provides funding to 16 projects valued at $12.7 million dollars. 

 Click here to view the list of projects which include:

• $4 million addition to Lee County’s Beach Nourishment fund which mitigates erosion at 6 beach locations.
• Beach and shoreline facility maintenance for Bonita Beach, Cape Coral, Captiva, Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel Island, Gasparilla Island State Parks.
• Boardwalk improvements and restroom projects in Cape Coral, North Fort Myers, and Fort Myers Beach. 
• Fort Myers Beach tram service provided by Lee Tran.

For more information click the links below contact Nancy MacPhee at 239-338-3500 or by email.