I have dedicated my professional career to advocating for and litigating on behalf of the environment with a focus on water quality protection. Now, I am eager to bring that experience and passion to this incredible island community. I am committed to finding innovative solutions that preserve our island’s beauty as we become more resilient. Additionally, I will be a voice for families on the island, ensuring that City Council takes a multigenerational approach to decision-making that benefits both our long-time residents and the generations to come. We need practical solutions that cut through red tape, support homeowners and businesses, and stay true to the principles of the Sanibel Plan.

As we approach updates to the Sanibel plan, it’s vital that the needs of families and youth are fully represented. Sanibel’s future depends on fostering a vibrant, multigenerational community, and I’m committed to bringing fresh ideas and a forward-thinking approach to City Council.

Most families live here full-time and are invested in the community. I’ll bring the perspective of a local family to the table to ensure everyone’s views are represented when decisions are made. Diverse views lead to better outcomes. Together, we can build a Sanibel where nature flourishes, businesses thrive, and families feel at home.

I am proud to have received the endorsement of the Progressive Club of the Islands.

If you have questions or would like additional information, please email me at: lwelchpc@protonmail.com.

Since my wife, daughter and I moved to Sanibel, I have become an active member of the community. My current community roles include: 

  • Sanibel Planning Commission (2 years)
  • The Sanibel School Fund – Vice President (3 years)
  • The Sanibel School PTA – Corresponding Secretary (1 year)
  • The Rotary Club  of Sanibel-Captiva (1 year)

Since arriving in Sanibel, I have advocated for improving water quality by reducing harmful discharges from Lake Okeechobee that pollute our waters. I have also advocated against South Seas’ efforts to remove height and density restrictions to expand its development beyond what was previously agreed with Captiva residents. I have also worked to encourage sustainable building practices.

With extensive experience in environmental law and a deep commitment to conservation, I am passionate about representing a community that prioritizes nature conservation and environmental protection.

In my professional life before I retired, I was an experienced environmental attorney and advocate with a strong background in water quality protection and policy development. As the Water Quality Program Director at the Alliance for the Great Lakes, I led initiatives to safeguard the water quality of the Great Lakes. My work involved collaborating with government agencies, community organizations, and policymakers to develop and implement effective environmental policies. 

Over the years, I achieved significant wins, including:

  • Successfully tightening discharge limits on toxic pollutants from BP, U.S. Steel and other industries to reduce pollution of Lake Michigan.
  • Raising a public outcry that attracted significant media attention and successfully halted an attempt to build an oil shipping complex on Lake Superior’s shoreline.
  • Partnering with the Sierra Club and other groups to strengthen sewage discharge permits in Chicago, Detroit, and Milwaukee and reduce pollution of the Great Lakes.

(See my full detailed professional experience here.) 

Sanibel has been a special place for my family for many years. I grew up vacationing here, and my father eventually made it his home. In 2021, my wife, daughter, and I made the decision to become full-time residents, drawn by the island’s natural beauty and close-knit community. Our daughter attends Sanibel School, and we’ve fully embraced island life.

I have a deep appreciation for Sanibel’s unique charm and the needs of families like ours. I’m committed to preserving what makes this island special while tackling the challenges we face as a community.

This year, the City is launching an initiative to update the Sanibel Plan. In this process, I will ensure that the core environmental protections of the Sanibel Plan are preserved. For example, I will not support increasing the key density, intensity and height limitations contained in the Sanibel Plan. I will resist pressures from developers or outside interests that might compromise the island’s sanctuary character, prioritizing sustainability in our development.

I support including measures in the Sanibel Plan to increase the resiliency of our island that do not violate the Plan’s core principles. Locally, the SanCap Resilience coalition is developing several proposals to increase the resiliency of our island and I will collaborate with the coalition to incorporate these measures into the Sanibel Plan.

As we shape the future of our island, it’s crucial that the Sanibel Plan includes family-friendly spaces, affordable housing, and access to quality education and recreation. I am committed to advocating for policies that preserve Sanibel’s natural beauty and character while ensuring it remains a vibrant, welcoming place for generations to come.

Sanibel must build a barge landing to ensure we can get supplies, equipment, and first responders to the island if the Causeway is blocked during a hurricane. The recent R2P2 report shows how this landing can be built, but action is needed to fund, design and build the landing.

Leadership is needed to move this project forward. Without it, Sanibel will remain vulnerable in the face of future storms. If elected, I will work to secure funding and get this critical infrastructure in place.

We must work with Lee County to add two lanes off island on the Causeway to reduce on island backups that impact residents and visitors.

Traffic congestion, especially during peak season, is a major challenge for Sanibel. While I understand the potential benefits of a roundabout at the island entrance, I believe we need a more thorough study to ensure it truly addresses our needs.

For More information

For more about Lyman’s background and experience, please look at this page and this spotlight article.

View the League of Women Voters candidate forum at this link.

The City of Sanibel will hold its regular election on Tuesday, March 4, 2025.

◾ The deadline to request a Vote-by-Mail Ballot is Thursday, February 20, at 5 p.m.

◾ Visit WWW.LEE.VOTE to request your Vote-by-Mail Ballot!

◾ For more information, please call (239) 533-8683.

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Campaign Treasurer: Kelly Kopp

This website is the official campaign website of Lyman “Chip” Welch for Sanibel City Council.

If you have questions or would like additional information, please email me at: lwelchpc@protonmail.com.

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