Siesta Isles survey reveals opposition to Big Pass dredge proposal

Survey says: Siesta Key residents strongly oppose plans to dredge Big Pass.

The 297-home Siesta Isles Association issued a survey that came back with 98% of respondents agains the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to mine Big Pass to shore up Lido Beach, according to an email to the federal agency and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection from Siesta Isles President Tony Romanus.

The Army Corps is currently pushing for a permit from the state to dredge 1 million cubic yards of the sand from the inlet on the north end of Siesta, then mine the same shoal periodically throughout the next 50 years.

The survey results echo the opposition from other island groups, including the Siesta Key Village Association,  the Siesta Key Condominium Council, the Bay Island Association and the Siesta Key Association.