Project Description
Estero Bay Agency on Bay Management
Negotiations over the permit issuance for the Florida Gulf Coast University led to a Settlement Agreement that called for the creation of the “Arnold Committee” and an assessment of overall land uses and natural systems, environmental protection and mitigation tools in the Estero Bay watershed. Upon completion of the Assessment and its adoption by the Arnold Committee in October of 1996, the Council established and began providing Staff support to the Estero Bay Agency on Bay Management (ABM).
The ABM is a non-regulatory advisory committee to the Council. Its directive is to make comments and recommendations regarding the management of Estero Bay and its watershed. The ABM collects and maintains data and it reviews and comments to regulatory agencies on issues affecting the watershed. Its members include Lee County legislative delegates and representatives of the Council, local chambers of commerce, citizen and civic associations, the Responsible Growth Management Coalition, Lee County, Collier County, Fort Myers, Fort Myers Beach, the SFWMD, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Gulf Coast University, Federal agencies involved in natural resource management, commercial and recreational fishing interests, environmental and conservation organizations, scientists, affected property owners, and the land development community.Orientation
ABM Agendas & Minutes
Cela Tega
A series of periodic symposia organized to examine and discuss issues critical to maintaining the health of the Estero Bay Watershed
- 2020 Cela Tega
- 2016 Cela Tega
- Economic Benefits of Conservation Lands Cela Tega (11/02/11)
- Land Managers Cela Tega (06/09/08)
- Land Acquisitions Cela Tega (12/08/08)
- Estero Bay Watershed Symposium (9/28/2009)
*Cela Tega is the southwest Florida native (i.e.: Calusa) term for “A view from high ground”. We used it here to symbolize “overview”. The term was inspired from the Carib Native North American term epopopanana meaning: this is Meeting (Epopo) + And (ana) +Place (Pa) which in Carib syntax is Epopopanana
2020 Cela Tega Presentations:
Session I
- Tracking and Reducing the Nutrient Pollution that fuels HABs – Jennifer Hecker
- Unintended Consequences of the Fertilizer Ordinance on Lee County Storm Water Ponds – Ernesto de la Vega
- Storm Water Retention Ponds – Serge Thomas
- Making the Case for a Statewide Storm water Rule – Marisa Carrozzo
Session II
- The Increasingly Important Role of Inland Wetlands in a Developed Landscape – Dr. Shawn Clem
- South Lee County Watershed Initiative – Brad Cornell
- CHNEP Habitat Restoration Needs Plan – Nicole Iadevaia
Keynote Speaker
Session III
- Public Input to the South Florida Water Management District – Phil Flood
- The Role of the Citizen in Upholding and Improving Public Environmental Policy – Wayne Daltry
- Managing Growth: The Land-Use and Water-Quality Nexus – Haley Busch
Session IV
Documents, Tools, & Resources
- 2019 State of the Bay Report
- 2019 State of the Bay Report Presentation
- Estero Bay Watershed Assessment
- 2014 State of the Bay Report
- 2014 State of the Bay Presentation
- 2009 State of the Bay Report
- 2006 State of the Bay Report
- 2004 State of the Bay Report
- 1997 State of the Bay Report
- Coastal Bays and Barrier Islands Conceptual Ecological Model
- Comprehensive Approach to Oyster Restoration in Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program
- Estimate of the Ecosystem Services of Existing Conservation 2020 Lands in Lee County Florida
- RESTORE Act Presentation
- Bonita DRGR Presentation
- Caloosahatchee River Bill of Rights
- Corkscrew Woods Presentation
- ARGO Corkscrew Crossing
- Wild Blue Presentation
- Corkscrew Crossing Presentation
- Caloosahatchee & the Everglades
- When Fracking Isn’t Called Fracking
- 2014 Seagrass Mapping
- Conservation 2020
- Conservation 20/20 Overview
- Conservation 20/20 Support
- Harmful Algal Blooms
STAFF
Regional Facilitation
The Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council is devoted to excellence in region-wide facilitation, research, and developing partnerships in many areas that make a difference locally and state-wide.