Collier rail trail funding plan draws conservation pushback

Collier County is finalizing an $11.64 million contract to purchase a 1½-mile portion of Seminole Gulf Railway property that would link to the Bonita Estero Rail Trail, a project expected to offer walkers, runners and bicyclists a safe, scenic trail north through Lee County. 

The March 10 vote by the Board of County Commissioners, approved 4-1 with Vice Chair Bill McDaniel Jr. dissenting, drew opposition. Two commissioners and six environmentalists urged that Conservation Collier funds be used only for land abutting the Railhead Scrub Preserve, not for a half-mile stretch through an industrial park and storage facilities. 

The difference totals just over $3.26 million. 

Another half-acre will be used for the Veterans Memorial Boulevard extension, meaning $245,513.76 will come from road-impact fees. The remaining $11,396,555.24 would come from Conservation Collier’s Land Acquisition Fund. 

“There’s no way you can argue that any of that is conservation lands or habitat,” Brad Cornell, policy director for Audubon Western Everglades, told commissioners. “It’s really intense industrial so it would not be appropriate to use Conservation Collier funds for that segment.” 

Cornell urged commissioners to limit the funding to two properties along Railhead Scrub Preserve, an environmentally sensitive area managed by Conservation Collier that contains one of Florida’s rarest habitat types, coastal scrub. 

Some speakers warned that using Conservation Collier funds for the entire purchase could weaken voter support for the program. Conservation Collier began after a 2001 voter referendum and has been renewed twice, most recently in 2020. The program is funded through a property tax increase of up to 0.25 mills — $25 per $100,000 of taxable property value — for 10 years and has purchased more than 6,600 acres for conservation. 

“What we are a little afraid of is this precedent might scare voters off,” said Bridget Washburn, executive director of Audubon Western Everglades. “The next time it comes on the ballot, they’re going to wonder where their money will be directed. 

Environmentalists also referenced the county’s previous use of conservation funds. Commissioners borrowed $53.5 million from Conservation Collier in September 2023 to help balance the 2024 budget, eventually using $29.6 million. McDaniel and Commissioner Burt Saunders have supported reimbursing the program. 

This month’s vote authorizes County Manager Amy Patterson, or a designee, to finalize an $11,642,069 agreement between the county and the nonprofit Trust for Public Land to acquire about 24.3 acres of the Seminole Gulf Railway corridor. Commissioners must still approve the final contract at a future meeting. 

Trust for Public Land negotiated the purchase agreement in February 2024, giving governments until March 2026 to raise $70.4 million for the first phase of the project, but the price was reduced to $60 million last month, when the deadline was extended to October. Estero would contribute $19.8 million for a 4.1-mile portion, while Bonita Springs would fund a 5.8-mile segment costing $28.5 million. 

The Bonita Estero Rail Trail, known as BERT, would be similar to Legacy Trail, the roughly 23-mile paved, multiuse path connecting downtown Sarasota to the historic Venice Train Depot. 

BERT’s first phase would convert an unused rail corridor from Wiggins Pass Road near the Collier-Lee county line to Estero Parkway into a public trail as part of a statewide network. It would connect to the Paradise Coast Trail near Veterans Memorial Boulevard, which is being extended by the county and the developer of the planned 313-home Imperial Lakes community. 

Eventually, the trail could connect to the 6-mile John Yarbrough Trail in Fort Myers and continue north to Alico Road, becoming part of the more than 400-mile Florida Gulf Coast Trail linking Collier County to Tampa. 

Supporters say the project would provide a safe place away from traffic for walking and biking, promote physical fitness and mental wellness, expand recreation areas and improve water quality by removing railroad ties and eliminating chemical weed control along the corridor. 

Doug Hattaway of Trust for Public Land told commissioners the project represents a “momentous point.” 

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity that will change all three of these communities for many generations to come,” Hattaway said of the 130-foot-wide corridor, citing economic investment, new jobs and safer routes to schools, churches and businesses. “It will also enhance the environmental management and integrity of the corridor.” 

Friends of BERT President Deb Orton said the first phase spans about 180 acres that would bring people through rivers and conservation areas. She thanked Commissioner Chris Hall for his work on the BERT interlocal task force. 

“Commissioner Hall and I have actually walked that conservation area and understand just how precious it is in Collier County,” Orton said. 

Rhys Watkins, vice chair of the Conservation Collier Land Acquisition Advisory Committee, noted the committee recommended using $8.8 million of conservation funds for two sections of the corridor, from Cemex to Railhead Boulevard. 

“The northern sections of the corridor are valuable to the county and residents,” Watkins said. “However, they don’t meet the criteria of the Conservation Collier program, as they are surrounded on both sides by industrial uses.” 

Saunders raised the funding issue before environmentalists spoke, arguing Conservation Collier funds should be limited to the environmentally sensitive sections. 

“I don’t think it’s appropriate for the light blue section to be paid for with Conservation Collier funds,” Saunders said. “We can take money from the reserves safely knowing that we still have Conservation Collier funds available if there truly is an emergency.” 

Hall defended the funding approach, noting public support for the trail. 

“There is no intent to repay it,” Hall said, reiterating his opposition to reimbursing the fund for the 2024 budget use. “It’s for the public use and for conservation. … Yes, there’s a half a mile that does go through the industrial portion, but it’s got great public benefit. … The voters are going to love the trail once they get on it.” 

Commissioner Rick LoCastro agreed the project fits the program’s mission, while Chair Dan Kowal called it “an exact example” of how Conservation Collier funds can benefit residents. 

Saunders said he ultimately supported the motion but warned about setting a precedent. 

“My concern is we’re going down a path where Conservation Collier becomes more of a fund for other general purposes, and I don’t want to see that happen,” Saunders said. “We’re not going to be able to pay back Conservation Collier. That’s a myth.” 

McDaniel said he had assumed the funds used for the 2024 budget would eventually be reimbursed and regretted not including that requirement in his earlier motion. He urged commissioners to revisit the issue during future budget discussions. 

Hall declined to amend his motion. 

“My motion stands as presented,” Hall said. “In the future, if we want to have discussions about taking something that comes forward and funding Conservation Collier, I’m all about having that conversation. But for this particular motion, I’m going to stick with it.” 

To view an interactive map of the proposed trail, go here.