Illegal Mangrove Removal at the Seven Islands (7 Islands) Project in Cape Coral
In mid-June 2026, protected mangroves were illegally removed without required permits along the North Spreader Canal at the Seven Islands development site in northwest Cape Coral (along Old Burnt Store Road, between Embers Parkway and Tropicana Parkway). The ~47-acre project involves seven man-made islands and was unanimously approved by Cape Coral City Council in January 2026 under a development agreement. The developer, Gulf Gateway Resort & Marina LLC, purchased the property from the City for $20 million. Plans include nearly 1,000 residential units, a 10-story hotel, commercial space, and a marina.
What Happened
Contractors uprooted mangroves (hundreds of feet, with one account noting over 570 feet of canal bank affected, including areas on or near the 7th island). The developer stated it was a mistake—the contractor was only authorized to clear invasive non-native species (such as Australian pine and Brazilian pepper) under city-issued vegetation clearing permits. Protected mangroves were removed anyway.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) confirmed no permits were issued for mangrove removal or the associated wetland impacts. The project’s application was in “withdrawn status pending a design change.” USACE recommended the contractor stop work and conducted a site visit to verify a pause in shoreline clearing activities.
The City of Cape Coral has stated it does not issue permits for shoreline work or mangrove removal—those fall under state (Florida Department of Environmental Protection — FDEP) and federal (USACE) jurisdiction. The City’s development permit for the site explicitly does not authorize mangrove or shoreline removal. A City inspector found no City code violations (mangroves being a federal matter), and no City citations or enforcement actions were issued.
Residents raised concerns about environmental damage, water quality, fisheries habitat, and loss of natural storm protection for nearby homes. Some called for a stop-work order and mandatory replanting once established mangroves are restored.
How Mangroves Are Protected in Florida
Mangroves (red — Rhizophora mangle; black — Avicennia germinans; white — Laguncularia racemosa) are protected under Florida’s 1996 Mangrove Trimming and Preservation Act (sections 403.9321–403.9334, Florida Statutes). This law regulates trimming, alteration, and removal because mangroves are critical to the state’s coastal ecosystems.
- Removal or significant alteration (including uprooting or defoliation that kills the plants) generally requires an individual permit from FDEP, often in coordination with USACE for work in jurisdictional wetlands or waters.
- Limited exemptions exist (e.g., certain trimming in a Riparian Mangrove Fringe by homeowners under strict height rules — typically not below 6 feet and without defoliation), but these do not allow removal or large-scale clearing for development.
- Professional Mangrove Trimmers (PMTs) are often required.
- Unauthorized removal or alteration is a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by fines up to $10,000, up to six months in jail, or both, plus requirements for restoration/mitigation.
The Act emphasizes prevention of harm to fisheries, water quality, and shoreline stability. Permits for development-related impacts are not automatic and require demonstration of avoidance, minimization, and mitigation.
Mangroves: A Key Part of Cape Coral’s Ecosystem
Mangroves are foundational to Southwest Florida’s coastal environment, especially in canal-heavy Cape Coral with its spreader canal system and waterfront properties:
- Fisheries nursery habitat: They serve as critical nurseries for game fish, shellfish, and sport fisheries, supporting Florida’s economy, tourism, and recreational fishing.
- Shoreline stabilization and storm protection: Their dense root systems (especially red mangroves) trap sediment, build land over time (“mangroves as land builders”), reduce erosion, and attenuate waves and wind—providing natural buffers against hurricanes and storm surge that help protect homes and infrastructure in Cape Coral.
- Water quality improvement: They filter sediments, nutrients, and pollutants, helping maintain the health of canals, the North Spreader Canal, and connected waterways.
- Biodiversity and additional benefits: They provide habitat for birds, manatees, and other wildlife; support overall ecosystem resilience; and act as significant carbon sinks.
Loss of mangroves weakens these protections, increases erosion and turbidity risks during construction or storms, and harms the very waterways and quality of life that define Cape Coral.
City Manager Oversight Obligation on Major Waterfront and Infrastructure Projects
Cape Coral’s City Manager (Michael Ilczyszyn) serves as the chief administrative officer responsible for day-to-day operations, implementing City Council policies and development agreements, overseeing departments (including Development Services, Public Works/Utilities, and code enforcement), coordinating with external agencies, and ensuring city-approved projects and infrastructure investments comply with all applicable laws—including environmental protections.
Cape Coral has undertaken or planned massive multi-year infrastructure and waterfront-related investments, including phases of the Utility Expansion Program (UEP) and related canal/waterway work. The Yacht Club, Jaycee Park, and Seven Islands are three significant recent waterfront projects. These projects cumulatively involve well over a billion dollars in costs (with individual segments in the hundreds of millions and long-term master plans projecting even higher totals through buildout). The ten year plan for the 7 islands buildout efforts directly intersect with sensitive mangrove-lined waterways, the spreader canal system, and the broader coastal ecosystem.
For any such large-scale, multi-year waterfront or infrastructure project—especially one involving public land sales, development agreements, taxpayer funding, and environmental sensitivity—the City Manager, Michael Ilczyszyn, is obligated to ensure rigorous oversight. This includes:
- Proper contractor supervision and clear scopes of work.
- Coordination with FDEP and USACE so that no work proceeds without all required permits.
- Monitoring to prevent violations.
- Immediate corrective action when issues arise.
The absolute protection of mangroves, waterways, and Cape Coral’s unique ecosystem must be non-negotiable. Growth and development can occur, but only with zero tolerance for environmental shortcuts or “mistakes” that damage irreplaceable natural infrastructure. The Seven Islands incident where protected mangroves were removed without permits, highlights the critical need for proactive, accountable oversight at the highest levels of city administration to prevent harm, maintain public trust, and safeguard the environment that makes Cape Coral special for current and future residents.
This event serves as a reminder that major projects must proceed with full transparency, strict compliance, and genuine prioritization of ecological protection alongside any economic goals. Restoration, accountability, and stronger safeguards moving forward are essential.
The conceptual rendering below shows the Seven Islands vision with prominent mangroves along the waterway—highlighting what is at stake.
The news image below shows site conditions during/after the reported mangrove clearing activity.
Sources include recent reporting from News-Press, WINK News, Gulf Coast News Now, City of Cape Coral statements, FDEP mangrove resources, and project background materials (June 2026). Facts are based on publicly reported information as of mid-to-late June 2026; investigations and agency actions may evolve.