County ready to dig into south Siesta renourishment

Last week, Sarasota County received the final signature from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers it needed to authorize a $20 million to $22 million renourishment for Turtle Beach and south Siesta Key beaches.

According to county spokesman Drew Winchester, the county must still select a construction firm, but staff plans to present a  construction contract and final funding plan to the Sarasota County Commission Dec. 9.

Winchester said the goal is to begin the project in January and finish it by April 30.

Residents’ responses to the project vary.

Tortoise Estates resident Ron Flynn said erosion is consistent in the area, though the public beach hasn’t been left as bare as beaches in front of nearby communities, such as Fisherman’s Cove and Fisherman’s Haven.

“The public beach still has a lot of sand,” Flynn said. “It’s still wide enough.”

There is an illusion of erosion, he explained, because dunes were planted during the most recent renourishment in 2008, and the dunes are much wider than they used to be.

He said he would have preferred the county wait until next year so it could begin just after the end of turtle-nesting season, citing construction impacts on rentals in the area and public access.

“I call it the overflow beach,” he said. “When Siesta gets busy, people start pouring down to Turtle.”

Laird Wreford, Sarasota County Coastal Resources manager, said although the public beach has held sand better than expected, it has become narrower and steeper. Left unaddressed, it could become problematic, according to Wreford.

Rhonda Holliday, property manager at Fisherman’s Cove Association, said owners at the 85-unit community, approximately 60 of which are rentals, feel the same sense of urgency about the project.

“Some guests want complete peace and quiet, of course,” she said.

But currently, erosion is affecting rentals.

“Right now, we have to convince guests to stay here because there is no beach,” Holliday said.

The county hasn’t determined where it will start the project, so for now, it’s difficult for communities like Fisherman’s Cove to plan for construction.

According to Wreford, the size of the construction area around which beach access will be restricted will be small, about the size of a football field, and will move quickly, usually staying in once place less than a day.

“Any one section of the beach is generally only affected for a day to three days, maximum,” Wreford said.

Holliday estimated that each of the two main buildings will see construction and restricted beach access for two weeks. She emphasized that the project is welcome because of its long-term benefit.

“Don’t wait any longer,” Holliday said.