Guest column: Legislators work the Lee way

By Larry Kiker

Fort Myers Beach

Chairman, Lee County Commission

Lee County Commissioners thank the Lee County legislative delegation for working on the critical water-related issues during the recently ended session in Tallahassee.

With approval of the budget last Friday, Lee County has had a stellar 2014 legislative session. We will continue to monitor the budget now that it has gone to Gov. Rick Scott for final approval.

Among the projects in the proposed budget are $18 million in infrastructure for the C-43 West Basin Storage Reservoir, which will help clean up the Caloosahatchee River and its estuary. Other projects include funding for Lee County initiatives related to storm water runoff, flood control and nutrient-load reductions.

For example, more than $750,000 is being allocated to help construct a much-needed sewer line along Alico Road. The project will protect public health and the environment by providing central sanitary sewer service to an area that would otherwise be served by onsite wastewater systems such as sanitary sewer package plants and septic tanks.

While accelerating the realization of thousands of permanent jobs created by planned developments in the corridor, the force main will also allow FGCUs proposed Emergent Technologies Institute (ETI) to further the universitys growing national reputation for green initiatives.

Other projects include:

Palmona Park water quality improvements: Retrofit a degraded 1960s storm water drainage system in North Fort Myers to include legacy pollutant removal and construction of a vegetative swale to improve water quality.

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Guest column: Legislators work the Lee way