CAPE CORAL, Fla. — The Chiquita boat lock in Cape Coral has neighbors torn over whether to keep it or remove it. Some boaters said they want it gone because it’s causing too much traffic going into the Caloosahatchee River. But those who are against the removal said the lock protects waters from toxic blue-green algae.
The lock serves as a way to connect local boaters to the Caloosahatchee River.
Last November the Department of Environmental Protection approved Cape Coral's years’ long request to remove it. And now the group Matlacha Civic Association wants to block it’s removal. They said the lock serves as a barrier against certain nutrients that could invite blue green algae back to Southwest Florida.
Matlacha Civic Association plans to meet at the Cape Harbour Marina Monday at 5:00 p.m. to further explain how the lock protects the waters.
