Dozens of Lee County residents urged the Board of Commissioners to adopt a moratorium on data centers, crypto mining and drilling, citing water and quality-of-life concerns. Commissioners did not declare a moratorium but approved invitations for the Southern Environmental Law Center and an economic-development briefing to present to the board.

Neighbors and conservation advocates told commissioners they documented Florida panthers near the proposed Calusa 80 site and raised concerns about gopher tortoises and habitat fragmentation; applicant and consultants said federal/state consultation and mitigation would be required.

Staff argued LDC changes relocate regulations from chapter 33 into appropriate zoning and environment chapters; the LPA approved the package after public warnings that Captiva's historical and height protections could be weakened if details are not clearly preserved.

At the request of residents, the board approved sending a letter to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection asking FDEP to investigate persistent odor events from a nearby Charlotte County landfill that affect north Lee County neighborhoods.

A presenter described a 40-acre Lee County project to treat nitrogen runoff at Bob James Preserve, saying state partners contributed $2.5 million toward the $4.6 million project and that the design uses berms and control structures rather than pumps.

A county official said the recent Blind Pass closure was anticipated after Hurricane Ian altered sand patterns and that the county will launch an inlet-management-plan update this year, with a likely completion around 2028.

After a court-ordered remand, the board approved a rezoning for a proposed Southeast Water Reclamation Facility (DCI 202300011) to allow an advanced treatment plant on about 112 acres; petitioners raised alleged procedural due-process defects, ongoing construction and environmental and aviation-safety concerns, which county counsel said would be addressed through the record and appeals process.

Dozens of residents and environmental advocates told the Lee County Board of Commissioners that proposed on-site gas extraction and a planned AI data center would threaten groundwater, property values and local control and urged a temporary moratorium to study impacts before applications arrive.

Dozens of residents told the Lee County Board of Commissioners on Dec. 15 that a proposed Deep River Data project and associated drilling or fracking at Butler Well No. 3 could threaten drinking wells and the Deep River; speakers urged the board to enact a moratorium while the county studies the risks.

Lee County ZBA approves new setback regulations for environmental structures from residences

Participants discuss groundwater studies, decommissioning plans, and road maintenance during construction.