Beach project delayed by sea turtle concerns

The issuance of a bid for a $3 million New Pass sand dredging project on the south end of the Key has been delayed because of sea turtle nesting concerns.

Town Manager Dave Bullock informed the Longboat Key Town Commission Thursday that bid documents for the project was delayed because state and federal agencies are questioning the town’s ability to handle turtle nest relocations during the New Pass project and a $10 million mid-Key beach dump project set to begin in April.

“The concern seems to be resulting from the amount of beach we are impacting during both the truck haul and the pass dredgings,” Bullock wrote. “Affected turtle nests in these areas will require relocation. We are working on ways to minimize the beach front travel.”

Bullock said the town is contracting with Mote Marine Laboratory to handle the turtle nest relocation work. 

“We might also have to secure additional access points to minimize the amount of travel on the beach for the projects.,” Bullock said.

The town is scheduling meetings with condo managers at the south end tomorrow to explore additional access for the dredging project. 

Bullock is hopeful the town can come up with a workable solution in the coming days.

“My primary objective is to issue the pass dredging bid as quickly as possible,” Bullock said.

Contact Kurt Schultheis at [email protected].