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Lee County and island officials discuss recovery with Matlacha Civic Association

By PAULETTE LeBLANC / pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com - | Mar 8, 2023

The Matlacha Civic Association met with some Lee County, as well as Pine Island organization officials Tuesday, Feb. 28, at the Pine Island United Methodist Church to discuss the restoration of the islands.

Lee County District 1 Commissioner Kevin Ruane was present, along with Deputy County Manager Dave Harner, representatives from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, FEMA and the Florida Department of Transportation.

Matlacha Civic Association president Michael Hannon began the meeting by describing the unique and infectious qualities of those who have been on Pine Island for generations.

“It didn’t take long for us to catch the spirit of resilience, independent stick-to-itiveness, and affection for your neighbor,” Hannon said, explaining that these are among the things he’s seen in his last 10 years as an islander.

Ruane, who has been meeting weekly with islanders to work toward recovery from Hurricane Ian, has been elected chair of the Long-Term Recovery Task Force. He told islanders his district had received more damage, by far, than two or three districts combined. Debris, he said, is an issue no one had contemplated pre-Ian. He shared that Lee County is in the vicinity of 10 to 20 million cubic yards of debris.

He continues to be an advocate for the district, he said, bringing everyone’s needs to the state and federal levels. There have been two special sessions since Hurricane Ian, he said, explaining that the sessions are an opportunity for the governor to carve out what he feels are major priorities.

“So far, through the two special sessions, there has been about $2 billion that have been allocated for Hurricane Ian, so that is a great start,” Ruane said.

Ruane encouraged everyone who needs to, to reach out to his office at 239-533-2224, or on his cell phone at 239-273-0011.

Harner, who oversees all county operations, said his office has been dealing with the aftermath of the storm by building shelters, handling damaged facilities and debris cleanup. His office is working with FEMA to find solutions that fit county-wide, and harden facilities, such as utility lines. They are also responsible for a large portion of current roadwork, even though the state is doing the work.

“We’re not quite sure what our share is going to be for Pine Island, but we think it’s somewhere from $5 to $7 million,” Harner said.

Assistant Deputy County Manager Christine Brady said the Lee County Parks and Recreation Department had damage in each of the parks, totaling approximately $14 million, not including Lee County beaches, which had a damage inventory of approximately $16 million.

“We continue to work with your long-term recovery group out here for volunteers and donation programs, we’re doing that with United Way, Catholic Charities and the Collaboratory are working on those programs and those volunteers that are coming in,” Brady said.

South District Director of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Jennifer Carpenter spoke on the current role of the DEP in the recovery process. Just after Hurricane Ian, a priority for the DEP was restoring critical services, such as water and wastewater, she said. People who came to help Greater Pine Island Water Association told her some of the people currently employed by the utility continued working 24 hours a day to restore the island’s water, although they had no home after the hurricane.

“That is something impressive to see,” Carpenter said of the resiliency of the island community.

The DEP has grant money allocated to restore infrastructure, she said, as well as an oversight role in debris removal, including debris removal from marine areas.

“We also have a role in authorizing things that need to be rebuilt. We do have a final order that allows things that are in or over water — docks, still houses, fill — the kind of things that need to be re-built,” Carpenter said.

Many of these things can be re-built the way they were, without an actual permit, she said, providing they meet certain criteria. If there are complications, someone may need to ascertain a permit. They are here, she said, to help navigate the route through proper channels, if necessary.

“We will help you through that process. Any permits needed for rebuilding from Ian will be expedited … our role is to support the recovery — anything that we can do for you all — we’re here to do that,” Carpenter said.

National FEMA Direct Housing Mission Director Mike Piper reported Lee County alone received $2.8 billion for debris removal, national flood insurance, individual household programs, as well as other FEMA programs. Pine Island alone, he said, has received almost $28 million. FEMA is currently looking at group sites for Pine Island and is currently approved to build 29 mobile home units with more being considered in Bokeelia, to house the remaining people without homes.

“For the whole mission, it’s been an honor and a privilege to have me and my team help you all in the recovery,” Piper said.

He assured everyone that his team is there to house those who need it, either temporarily or through rental assistance, FEMA’s hotel program, or with home repair.

“We are still here at the disaster recovery center for assistance with appeals — SBA is still there for small business administration loans, to help out what FEMA cannot help with,” Piper said.

Greater Pine Island Water Association General Manager and Engineer Mikes Maillakakis spoke on the condition of the water utility, saying former management and directors made exceptional decisions, leaving the benefits to Greater Pine Island today.

“We’re a small utility, but we’re scrappy. We don’t have a lot of people, but we work hard, so we’re out there every day working — trying to do the right thing for everyone,” Maillakakis said.

Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Control District Chief Ben Mickuleit was asked to speak on the priorities for the Fire Department. His mission, he said, is to continue providing fire service as well as getting Advanced Life Support-equipped trucks, so each truck can carry a paramedic, as they have many medical related calls. Damages to the department from Hurricane Ian totaled $1.5 million, he said.

“A concern we have is brush fire season. There’s a lot of debris or vegetation still down all over the island that cannot be removed, so we are working with the Division of Forestry to work in mitigation,” Mickuleit said.

Greater Pine Island Alliance founder and American Legion post commander Aaron Barreda reported, as recognized by the county, state and federal government as the long-term recovery group for Pine Island, that the GPIA received $100,000 from the Disaster Fund, through Volunteer Florida. Costly comfort stations will be tapered back over the next few weeks, he said.

If anyone needs to reach out the GPIA, they can visit, Team@gpialliance.org.