Agenda 11/10/2025 Item #16B 4 (The Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Capital Improvement Plan of the Big Cypress Basin)11/10/2025
Item # 16.B.4
ID# 2025-4239
Executive Summary
Recommendation to review and approve the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Capital Improvement Plan of the Big Cypress Basin,
a part of the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD).
OBJECTIVE: To continue coordination between the Big Cypress Basin (BCB) and Collier County Board of County
Commissioners for the operation and maintenance of the watercourses and water control structures located in Collier
County.
CONSIDERATIONS: The first agreement made between Collier County and the Big Cypress Basin/ South Florida
Water Management District (BCB/SFWMD) providing a mechanism for assigning operation and maintenance
responsibilities for portions of the primary canal system and the water control structures occurred on February 19, 1991,
Agreement C91-2158. Upon its expiration, the same parties entered into a subsequent agreement (C-11759) on October
13, 2000. This Agreement has been amended five (5) times since 2000 for various purposes including agreement
duration extensions and operation and maintenance responsibility adjustments. This agreement is currently valid until
September 30, 2034.
Provisions in the current Agreement address cooperative and shared system responsibilities including planning,
operation, maintenance, and capital improvements. Section 10 of the Agreement specifies that BCB capital
improvements and capital improvement schedules shall be subject to review and approval by both the BCB Board and
the Collier County Board of County Commissioners.
Attached are the fiscal year 2026 Big Cypress Basin Capital projects, including planned budget amounts and brief
project descriptions.
This item is consistent with the Collier County strategic plan objective to develop and utilize partnerships to ensure that
government facilities meet public expectations.
FISCAL IMPACT: The BCB Fiscal Year 2026 Capital Projects Plan is specific to, and/or associated with, canals and
water control structures currently assigned to BCB by the Agreement. Funding for the county's portion of the agreement
is available in the Stormwater CIP Fund (3050).
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: Planning, operation, maintenance, and capital improvements of the entire
canal system and all associated water control structures throughout Collier County is in accordance with the goals,
objectives, and policies of all applicable sections of the Stormwater Management and the Conservation and Coastal
Management elements of the Growth Management Plan.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item has been reviewed by the County Attorney, is approved as to form and
legality and requires majority vote for approval. -JAK
RECOMMENDATION(S): To approve the Fiscal Year 2026 Capital Improvement Plan of the Big Cypress Basin
(BCB).
PREPARED BY: Peter Hayden, PE, Supervisor Project Management (Licensed) Transportation Engineering
ATTACHMENTS:
1. FY26 Capital Plan Project Description
2. 5 Year Capital 2026 revised
3. BCB Agreement C-11759
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Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Capital Improvement Plan of the Big Cypress Basin
BCB Projects
FY26
Funding Project Description
SCADA
Additions and
Replacements
$500,000 This work will start and complete the construction of one canal water level monitoring station on the I-
75 canal south of Vanderbilt Beach Road at the I-75 #3 water control structure.
I-75 #2 Weir
Replacement $3,800,000
The existing I-75 #2 control structure has limited flood control capabilities and is near the end of its
useful life. This project constructs an improved remote operated water control structure south of the
existing structure. The relocation and remote capabilities of the proposed structure will provide
enhanced flood control during wet periods and improve groundwater recharge during the dry season.
FY26 is the fourth year of a six-year project and will begin the construction phase of the project. Total
budgeted funding to date (including F Y26) is $7,350,000. Additional funds will be budgeted in FY27
and FY28 to complete construction.
Bird Rookery
Boardwalk
Replacement
$1,750,000
This is the second year of multi-year project that will replace the aging Bird Rookery Boardwalk,
allowing the public to continue enjoying access to vital Bird Rookery Swamp, part of the unique
Corkscrew Regional Ecosystem. Design of the replacement boardwalk will be completed in early
FY26 with construction to also commence in FY26. The FY26 budgeted amount represents the final
allocation to the $3.5 million project cost authorized by the Governing Board on February 13, 2025.
Gordon River
Structure
Replacement
(GR1)
$500,000
The existing Gordon River control structure has limited flood control capabilities and is near the end of
its useful life. This project constructs an improved remote operated water control structure south of
Golden Gate Parkway and Gordon River. The new structure will provide enhanced flood control during
wet periods, improve groundwater recharge during the dry season, and reduce saltwater intrusion.
FY26 is the second year of this multi-year project which continues the design and modeling of the new
structure.
Palm River
Structure
Replacement
(PR1)
$400,000
The existing Palm River control structure has limited flood control capabilities and is near the end of
its useful life. This project constructs an improved remote operated water control structure west of
Palm River Blvd on Palm River. The new structure will provide enhanced flood control during wet
periods, improve groundwater recharge during the dry season, and reduce saltwater intrusion. FY26 is
the second year of this multi-year project which continues the design and modeling of the new
structure.
TOTAL $6,950,000
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