Lee County, Bonita Springs and Estero renew push to join Big Cypress Basin

Some of Bonita Springs' and Estero's elected leaders say they can ask for a change that could get south Lee County more funding for water projects.

All of Lee County belongs to the South Florida Water Management District. Lee County, Bonita Springs and Estero have renewed efforts to transition the southern parts of Lee County under the Big Cypress Basin and the board that governs it.

“My goal is to try to get more attention and more funding for the areas of south Lee County for future funding and water quality elements,” said Lee County Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass, who represents a southern part of Lee County.

“The way the district is now, a lot of our funding and resources go to the center of the state. We’re looking to get resources closer to home,” Pendergrass said.

The Big Cypress Basin, which covers Collier County and part of Monroe County, is one of two watershed basins that encompass the South Florida Water Management District. Lee County currently falls under the Okeechobee Basin, which reaches from Orange County down to Monroe and Miami-Dade counties.