MOORE HAVEN – Plans for a new boat ramp on the Caloosahatchee River near LaBelle will receive a letter of support from the Glades County Commission.

Hendry County wants to enter into a lease with the South Florida Water Management District for use of the land to put in a new boat ramp and parking area. The proposed site is located in Glades County.

The old twisting track of the old Caloosahatchee River was the original county line. When the river was channelized for flood control the county line did not change. That means in places, parts of Glades County are on the south side of the river and in other places, parts of Hendry County are on the north side of the river.

“The river is one of the greatest recreational assets that we have in the area and it is being utilized more and more,” Hendry County Administrator Jennifer Davis explained in a letter to the Glades County Commission. “Most weekends the ramp is completely full and there is no parking available. Boaters have been parking on the side of the road, on neighboring properties, etc., which is a problem. We looked at the surrounding areas of the existing ramp for expansion but have not come up with a viable option as the properties are being or being planned to be utilized for other purposes. This location is not far from the existing site and most likely we would continue the use of both ramps.”

Hendry County is requesting the use of 15 acres of SFWMD land within a 249-acre parcel owned by the district. The acreage was previously leased to the City of LaBelle for a park.

Hendry County would like to put in up to four boat ramps, restroom facilities, trailer parking spots, a kayak and canoe launch, and vendor services such as a canteen and a bait shop.

At their April 9 meeting, Glades County Commissioners agreed to send a letter of support for the project to SFWMD.