About $2.9 million will go to restore more than 1,000 acres within Southern Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem project.
“This project is the essence of restoration,” said Rick Barber, governing board member of the water district, in a written statement. “Taking out roads and plugging ditches will continue a transformation back to a more natural environment while also maintaining flood control by providing water storage for nearby residents.”
Restoring wetlands by undoing human alterations to historic water flow would likely translate to flood protection for downstream residents in Bonita Springs, said Peter Cangialosi, environmental director for the nonprofit Estero Council of Community Leaders.