By Fernando Zapata • fzapata@news-press.com • June 10, 2009
With big shovelfuls of dirt thrown symbolically into the air, Lee County commissioners and supervisors of the East County Water Control District broke ground for the phase I of the Harns Marsh preserve project in Lehigh Acres, on Wednesday.
The 578-acre preserve is one of the district’s major facilities for stormwater detention/retention.
The Phase I was possible thanks to the a $1.45 million grant from federal stimulus funds.
Harns Marsh Phase I project will allow the District to ensure that flood waters flow properly; will reduce flooding to our downstream neighbors on the Orange River; improve water quality; and recharge the local groundwater aquifers.
“This is a win-win-win situation for everybody,” said Lee County commissioner Frank Mann. “Much of the future of Lee County depends on how we preserve our water resources and wildlife habitat.”
District’s chairman Desmond Barrett said the project was an achievement despite the economic stress in the country. “It’s an honor to be in this project,” he said.
Lee County commissioner Ray Judah praised the East County Water District for the project, that will benefit “not only the current population of the district, but for the vision to plan for the future.”
“This is a huge undertaking,” he said.
The Harns Marsh project includes the construction of three new weirs (low dams), which will be controlled by a computer system according to water levels.
Additionally, the project will preserve a natural refuge for more than 100 wildlife species in the area.
One of the project’s main goals is reduce the risk of flooding around the Orange River area.
“This is wonderful,” said Lehigh resident Laura Cordell, who lives in a 2 and a half-acre property in the area of River Road and Buckingham Road. “We’ve been waiting for this for 13 years.”
She said every year her property is flooded by up to 3 inches of water during weeks, and she had complained a lot, to no avail. “Every year it’s gotten worse.”
Cordell said she expects to see some improvement thanks to the Harns Marsh project.
“Maybe not this year, but perhaps the next,” she said.
The Marsh is slated to be a Lee County Regional Park with limited passive activities such as hiking, fishing and bird watching. It’s located between at the end of W. 38th. Street and Ruth Avenue.