• Brazilian Pepper Eradication

    Brazilian Pepper is an invasive plant species that is abundant on many vacant lots in the North Captiva Island community. Lee County ordinance,  Sec. 33-1741 requires eradication of all Pepper by January 1, 2021 from all Real Property. While there have been numerous communications about this deadline, there is still an abundance of Brazilian Pepper on the island. This page is being posted to be a location for a collection of the information about this eradication effort as the deadline quickly approaches.

  • Status: Clearing may proceed without a permit for just Brazilian pepper.
    However, a permit is required if clearance is for construction 

  • Action

  • Date

  • Brief Summary

  • Email Reply from Lee County

  • February 22, 2021

  • Email reply in which Lee County indicates that a vegetation permit removal permit is NOT required if the property owner is looking to remove ONLY the exotic Brazilian pepper trees. However, if a gopher tortoise is found during removal, a vegetation permit would need to applied for in the event that the tortoise needs to be removed from the property. Click here to see the email.

  • Clarifying Letter to Lee County

  • January 31, 2021

  • Communication requested by Lee County with a short list of questions/concerns among islanders related to eradication. The intent is to get more details and clear instructions for any permitting, timelines, enforcement actions, remediation options, and disposal expectations. Click here to see the letter.

  • Letter to Property Owners

  • January 20, 2021

  • Letter to island real property owners advising of the County ordinance, current posture of the County toward enforcement, contact information for resources on island that may be used for eradication/clearing, and the UCCA web page used for updates as more information is received on this topic. Click here to see the letter.

  • Lee County Reply

  • December 8, 2020

  • The County indicates they will initiate an education and notification campaign about the deadline. Violation notices will be sent when issues found with requirements and steps for remediation. The county will update their website related to vegetation permit requirements prior to pepper removal efforts. Click here to see the letter.

  • Initial Letter to Lee County

  • September 23, 2020

  • Letter sent to Lee County requesting a formal enforcement approach for the Brazilian Pepper ordinance to include timelines, approach, and fine structure for non-compliance. The intent was to get information so that UCCA could provide accurate information to the island lot owners. Click here to see the letter.

  • North Captiva Landscaping and Clearing Service Providers

  • Clean Cut Tree Service, Inc.
    Contact: Jon Kennedy
    Email: CleanCutTrees06@gmail.com
    Phone: 239-440-0440

  • Sherman Cottrell
    Email: Shermella2693@aol.com
    Phone: 502-419-3306

  • North Captiva Island Club
    Contact: Bryan Brilhart
    Email: Contracts@northcaptiva.com
    Phone: 239-283-3630

  • Safety Harbor Club
    Contact: Jan Neal
    Email: Office@safetyharborclub.com
    Phone: 239-472-1019

  • Tortuga Property Services
    Contact: Duncan Rosen
    Email:TortugaNCI@gmail.com
    Phone: 239-400-4928

  • 14-377(c) of the Lee County Land Development Code, found in Article V related to Tree Protection

    c.    If the property is located in the critical areas for surface water management, and is not used for bona fide agricultural purposes, indigenous vegetation shall not be cleared in areas that serve as listed species occupied habitat as defined in chapter 10, article III, division 8. The following shall apply:

    1. The administrator shall determine the location of protected species to be preserved based on the criteria set forth in chapter 10, article III, division 8. This review shall not be substituted for surveys required under chapter 10, article III, division 8.
    2. The administrator, or the property owner with the administrator's approval, shall develop a management plan based on the criteria set forth in section 10-474. Preparation and review criteria for the plan shall be subject to the provisions of an appropriate administrative code. Up to ten percent of the upland acreage shall be preserved in areas where listed species are present. No more than two separate areas shall be set aside on any given parcel. Any state-mandated upland listed species preserves shall be included within the referenced ten percent preservation area. Bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) shall be protected pursuant to article II, division 3, of this chapter.

  • Single Family - Land Development Code Section 14-377(c)(1) & (2):

    ​There are two types of vegetation removal permit requirements for single-family and duplex lots on coastal islands. The first requires review and approval as part of the issuance of a building permit. The second is for clearing of a lot prior to any building permit review.

    Please note:

    • ​Removal of coconut palms and native trees requires a permit. 
    • No permit is required for the annual removal of five trees or less from any single family lot that already has an existing single-family dwelling unit.
    • Barricades that protect preserved vegetation are required.