St. Armands, Siesta groups make waves about project renourishment

As the proposed renourishment of Lido Beach remains a contested issue, the St. Armands Residents Association has submitted a petition to the city and county indicating that people in the area stand behind the project.

The project, proposed by the city and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, would take sand from Big Pass to renourish critically eroded portions of Lido Beach. Several Siesta Key organizations oppose the project and have voiced concerns about how dredging Big Pass — which has never been dredged — would affect Siesta.

With organizations signaling their resistance to the proposed project, the St. Armands Residents Association took action to show its support. The group gathered 94 signatures from area residents who believe that following through with the renourishment is critical.

“Lido Beach has suffered severe beach erosion in recent years and is in urgent need of replenishment,” the petition states. “ ... We, the undersigned, are concerned citizens who urge our leaders to act now to authorize the approval and implementation of the (project).”

LAWYER UP
One of those Siesta Key organizations, Save Our Siesta Sands 2, took a litigious step in opposition to the proposed dredging.

Carlton Fields Jorden Burt attorney Don Hemke, who represents the group, sent a letter May 16 to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers citing concerns about the Lido Key Beach Renourishment Project.

The letter encourages the Corps to conduct a formal environmental assessment and economic impact study regarding the dredge.

 - Staff Writer Alex Mahadevan contributed to this story.

Contact David Conway at [email protected]