The Boca Grande Street & Drainage Municipal Service Benefit Unit Advisory Committee continued its crusade to control the Gasparilla Island iguana population by looking to absorb the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority lands in its contract.
Iguanas have been sighted throughout the bridge construction area and Charlotte County hunter Conny Spurfeld of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, who controls the population on the north end of the island, suggested access to GIBA lands would be useful in controlling the spiny reptiles.
The contract will have to be amended to allow the change or a separate GIBA contract may be arranged with Jim Cooper, GIBA executive director.
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The Boca Grande Street & Drainage Municipal Service Benefit Unit Advisory Committee voted to extend the iguana-hunting contract from nine months to a full 12 months at the Oct. 11 meeting at the Boca Grande Club.
"We are looking into it," said Charlotte County representative Judith Nophdurft. "The assistant county attorney will determine if this is a feasible action and if it's something do-able, the advisory board will make a motion and determine it."
The board also unanimously voted to extend the iguana-hunting contract from nine months to a full 12 months at the Oct. 11 meeting at the Boca Grande Club.
An assessment increase may be required to fund the year-round iguana contract. If the board seeks an assessment increase, a public outreach campaign is required.
Fact Box
To Go
What: Boca Grande Street & Drainage Municipal Service Benefit Unit Advisory Committee
When: 10 a.m. Jan. 31
Where: Boca Grande Club meeting room
Why: road and iguana issues
Contact: Call (941) 575-3600 or e-mail dawn.harrison@charlottefl.com.
In other action, Richard Morrision was elected board chairman and Neal Rietz vice chairman.
