Congressman Connie Mack, FL-14, praised the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers today for issuing an emergency dredging permit for the Matanzas Pass Entrance Channel in Lee County. The dredging is expected to begin by the end of May, and the Army Corps will finance the construction.
“The dangerous conditions in Matanzas Pass pose a serious risk to the Coast Guard’s ability to respond to emergencies as well as to local businesses that rely on the inlet,” Mack said in prepared statement. “The channel is completely shoaled and not navigable by the shrimp boats, commercial excursion boats and other recreational boaters that use the pass every day. I’m very pleased the Army Corps has approved the dredging permit so we can begin dredging Matanzas Pass without delay.”
Mack has been working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and local officials to get the emergency dredging permit approved since last fall. Mack and his staff have been monitoring the situation and remain in constant communication with the Army Corps about the importance of moving this project forward, his office stated.

Source: The office of Congressman Connie Mack