The Gulf Gateway Resort & Marina Village know commonly as the Seven Islands Project has significant opposition.
The Seven Islands Project (also known as Gulf Gateway Resort & Marina Village) is a large-scale mixed-use waterfront development in northwest Cape Coral, Florida, on approximately 47-48 acres along Old Burnt Store Road, involving seven man-made islands on the east side of the North Spreader Canal. The project, in planning since around 2015-2016, includes nearly 1,000 residential units (condos, apartments, single-family homes/fish houses), a 10-story hotel (e.g., Marriott-branded with 240 rooms), commercial/retail spaces, waterfront restaurants, a tiki bar, a public marina with boat slips, a lagoon resort, and public amenities like a community hub, dog park, splash pad, kayak launch, amphitheater, and food truck park.
The Cape Coral City Council unanimously approved the development agreement on January 21, 2026, clearing the way for the project after years of planning, public hearings, and negotiations.
Opposition to the project emerged during public hearings (e.g., January 7 and 21, 2026) and in local media coverage, despite the city’s approval and the developer’s assertions that studies showed minimal impacts and infrastructure sufficiency. Key points of opposition include:
- Traffic and Infrastructure Concerns — Critics argued the existing roads (like Old Burnt Store Road) and canals are too narrow to handle increased vehicle and boat traffic. Residents noted the project is “too large” for the area, with one describing it as a “massive overbuild” and expressing doubts about economic viability given a phased 30-year build-out and a cooling real estate market. Neighbors raised issues with road congestion, boat traffic in narrow canals, and overall strain on local infrastructure.
- Environmental and Waterway Impacts — Significant concerns focused on effects to local ecosystems, including the North Spreader Canal and Matlacha Pass. Opponents, including representatives from the Matlacha Civic Association (e.g., Michael Hannon), warned of worsened pollution (citing ongoing EPA-related issues in Matlacha Pass from canal runoff), overcrowding of waterways, and harm to wildlife habitats (e.g., mangroves, birds, turtles). Some residents highlighted broader rapid development eroding Cape Coral’s “small-town feel” and displacing wildlife.
- Scale and Overdevelopment — Residents expressed frustration with the project’s density and size in a relatively undeveloped northwest area, fearing it would disrupt the community’s character and bring unwanted growth. One resident noted feeling like development was “following” them despite efforts to escape it.
- Ongoing Resistance — Groups like the Matlacha Civic Association indicated they would continue opposing the project, including at future permitting stages (e.g., environmental permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers). Public comments during hearings reflected mixed views, with some welcoming amenities but many prioritizing concerns over traffic, environment, and infrastructure.
The developer (Forest Development/Gulf Gateway) countered these points by citing extensive on-land and in-water studies showing the project is environmentally sound, with measures like relocating the seawall to preserve mangroves and maintain wildlife habitats, plus traffic studies indicating manageable impacts.
Overall, while the project advanced with city support and some local backing for its economic and recreational benefits, opposition centered on fears of overdevelopment in a sensitive northwest Cape Coral location, particularly regarding traffic, water quality, and ecological effects. Public input occurred through multiple hearings, but the council approved it unanimously.
EPA Pollution Issues – Seven Islands
EPA-related pollution issues in the context of Matlacha Pass (and connected waterways like the North Spreader Canal in Cape Coral, Florida) primarily revolve around nutrient pollution, impaired waterbody designations, and broader water quality challenges in the region. While the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not directly manage every local issue (Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection, or FDEP, handles much of the day-to-day oversight under delegated authority), EPA involvement comes through federal oversight of state standards, Clean Water Act requirements like the 303(d) list of impaired waters, Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs), and related lawsuits or guidelines.
Key Pollution Issues in Matlacha Pass
Matlacha Pass, an Outstanding Florida Water (OFW) and part of the Matlacha Pass Aquatic Preserve, has faced documented water quality degradation for years. Major concerns include:
- Nutrient Pollution (Nitrogen and Phosphorus) — This is the primary issue linked to “EPA guidelines” in local discussions. Excess nutrients from stormwater runoff, urban development (including Cape Coral’s extensive canal system), agricultural sources, and other nonpoint sources lead to eutrophication. This fuels harmful algal blooms (including cyanobacteria/dapis blooms), macroalgae overgrowth that outcompetes seagrasses, low dissolved oxygen (hypoxia/anoxia), fish kills, and hydrogen sulfide releases.
- Matlacha Pass has been listed as impaired for nutrients (e.g., total nitrogen) on Florida’s 303(d) list since around 2015. The 2020 EPA-reviewed 303(d) list and later updates confirm impairments for total nitrogen and other parameters like fecal coliform in segments.
- In 2024–2026 reports, conditions continued to deteriorate with frequent blooms, seagrass loss, and macroalgae dominance. Groups like Calusa Waterkeeper requested prioritization for a Total Nitrogen TMDL in early 2026, citing a decade of decline despite the OFW non-degradation standard (which aims to prevent further worsening in high-value waters).
- Low Dissolved Oxygen and Fish Kills — Events in 2024 (e.g., post-Hurricane Debby/Tropical Storm conditions) caused fish kills in Matlacha Pass due to low oxygen levels, exacerbated by warm waters, nutrient-fueled decomposition, and runoff. FDEP attributed some to declining water quality.
- Stormwater Runoff from Cape Coral — Cape Coral’s 400+ miles of canals (including the North Spreader Canal) discharge stormwater into Matlacha Pass. Historical issues include the 2008 removal of the Ceitus Barrier (a pollution control structure), leading to increased nutrient flows, silting downstream, and pollution. Critics argue the city has allowed polluted discharges for decades, contributing to impairments.
- Environmental groups have threatened or pursued actions (e.g., 2016 notice of intent to sue Cape Coral over nitrogen levels feeding toxic algae). Broader lawsuits (e.g., 2025 suit against EPA by Florida groups) challenge outdated state water quality standards affecting areas like the Caloosahatchee, which influences nearby waters.
- Other Impairments — All Florida recreational marine waters, including Matlacha Pass, are impaired for mercury (based on fish tissue; from air pollution sources like power plants). Red tide (Karenia brevis blooms) occurs in the region, worsened by nutrient pollution, though direct causation is debated (links to runoff, not solely red tide).
- Broader Context — Southwest Florida estuaries (including Matlacha Pass and Estero Bay) show widespread impairments for nutrients, with over 3.6 million acres of estuarine segments affected statewide in 2024. This includes seagrass loss, algal blooms, and economic/ecological impacts. Runoff from development disrupts natural sheet flow through wetlands, concentrating pollutants.
Connection to the Seven Islands Project
Opponents (e.g., Matlacha Civic Association’s Michael Hannon during 2026 hearings) cited these ongoing issues, noting Matlacha Pass has been “polluted under EPA guidelines now for 10 years” due to North Spreader Canal and Cape Coral canal discharges. They fear additional development (increased boat traffic, runoff, density) could worsen nutrient loading, crowding, and pollution in already stressed waters.
The developer and city countered with studies showing manageable impacts, mitigation (e.g., mangrove preservation, seawall relocation), and that the project meets permitting requirements (including U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and state reviews).
Sources and Oversight
- Primary data comes from FDEP’s Integrated Water Quality Assessment reports, 303(d) lists (EPA-approved), and groups like Calusa Waterkeeper.
- EPA’s role includes approving state lists/TMDLs, enforcing Clean Water Act standards, and addressing petitions/suits over inadequate protections.
- No major direct EPA enforcement action specifically on Matlacha Pass/Cape Coral discharges is highlighted recently, but the impairments trigger requirements for restoration plans (e.g., TMDLs).
These issues reflect longstanding regional challenges with rapid development, stormwater management, and nutrient control in sensitive coastal ecosystems. Local advocacy continues to push for stronger protections and TMDL development. TMDL – (Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) is the amount of pollution that a river or stream can handle before negative impacts occur to water quality)
All City Voters Participate in the Open Races Regardless of Which District They Live In.
If you are a registered voter in Cape Coral, you will see all three district races (1, 4, and 6) on your ballot. You can vote for one candidate in District 1, one in District 4, and one in District 6 — even if you don’t live in those districts.