A development called Bellmar, just south of the proposed Rivergrass property, is threatening the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge. If approved, it will destroy and fragment important panther habitat and corridors, and add traffic onto already deadly roadways.
Update: October 8, 2024
The Bellmar project was advertised for comments and concerns to be submitted for consideration by the federal permitting agency (Army Corps of Engineers). Take action to oppose the Bellmar project and other large and unacceptable projects like it at www.conservancy.org/takeaction.
Update: February 16, 2024
A federal court struck down an unlawful scheme that threatened Florida’s wetlands and the species that inhabit them on February 16, 2024. The judge’s ruling will allow for a better review of the proposed development as the state of Florida is experiencing extreme pressure from growth. The ruling specifically calls out the Bellmar and Kingston projects, in eastern Collier and Lee counties respectively. The judge’s order states that these projects cannot be permitted under the state’s flawed program. We will continue to track these proposals, and other damaging projects like them. Read more about this landmark victory here.
hELP PROTECT THE fLORIDA PANTHER
Bellmar is a sprawling development that will consist of strip malls and more than 4,000 homes. It is not based on smart growth principles and is not being built as a walkable community.
Bellmar is proposed to be located in eastern Collier County, south of Oil Well Road and 1 mile northwest of the Panther Refuge. It is about 17 miles east of the city of Naples.
Why we oppose Bellmar
Bellmar will destroy Florida panther habitat and connectivity
There are very few panthers left in the wild. Experts estimate there are between 120-230 adult and subadult panthers, putting their very continued existence at risk. The Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most densely used areas by Florida panthers, and Bellmar is proposed to be located only about 1 mile away. Further, panthers are wide ranging and need connected habitat areas to support their home ranges. Bellmar is located in the most important area for Florida panthers called the Primary Zone, and it is also located directly within the Florida Wildlife Corridor. If we want the panther to recover and survive, this level of habitat loss in this location must not be permitted.
Bellmar will impact our wildlife
Other rare and imperiled wildlife also depend on the habitat within and around the Bellmar project. For example, the following listed species have been documented in the project area:
- Crested caracara
- Bonneted Bat
- Wood Stork
In fact, the applicant’s surveys show that there is likely bonneted bat roosting within or close to the project, and there is a documented caracara nest in the middle of the project that is not being avoided.
Bellmar will infringe on rural lifestyle and have devastating cumulative impacts
Until February 2024, many permits were being considered by FDEP that would transform eastern Collier and eastern Lee into more urbanized areas. There were more than 900 state 404 “dredge and fill” program permits being reviewed within a 25-mile radius of the Bellmar project. Read more about the state’s wetland permitting processing program here.
The map below shows Bellmar along with 10 additional large-scale developments requesting permits in eastern Lee and Collier counties. We believe the cumulative impacts of these permits must be considered for the panther, for increased traffic, and for impacts on the existing rural and natural ecosystems where these projects are being proposed.
Click to enlarge
Bellmar will impact our cherished public lands
Bellmar will negatively impact the adjacent Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge. This project is an affront to this publicly held 26,000 acre sanctuary which was founded with the purpose of protecting the Florida panther and their habitat.
Join our fight against Bellmar
Bellmar has some but not all of its permits.
The property owner is not entitled to this type or intensity of development. There are other places to build strip malls and housing that are less impactful to the Florida panther and our natural resources. This is not the right place for this type and intensity of development.