Snowbirds may delay South Siesta Key nourishment

A recent change in an endangered species classification could delay South Siesta Key’s sand renournishment.

The original start date for the project was January so it could be completed before the start of sea turtle nesting season in May. The project includes replacing sand on residential Gulf-front property south of Point of Rocks to the end of the Key. 

Although the project received a permit to proceed from the state, migratory rufa red knot birds could prevent the federal permit from being issued. Shorebird monitoring of the area showed that four red knots appeared on south Siesta Key in the last eight years. In December, the bird became  protected by the Endangered Species Act.

Sarasota County held a meeting March 19, at St. Boniface Episcopal Church, to inform residents of the reason behind the delay. 

“What our intention was as of the last public meeting was to have the construction ready to go, up and running this past winter season,” County Coastal Resources Manager Laird Wreford said. “If anything was going to be able to knock us off of our current timeline it would be this federal permit.”

Project Manager Curtis Smith said the birds winter on Siesta during their migratory route from Canada to South America. 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and NOAA will complete a biological opinion by midsummer, Wreford said.

The start date for the project has been moved to November. For the moment, the project will proceed by mailing a construction easement document to residents along the shore to give the county permission to place sand beyond the erosion control line on their property. The individual homeowners associations will approve sand being place at any affected condominiums.

The last south Siesta Key renourishment project replaced 1 million cubic feet of sand in 2007. The project cost was more than $11 million.

Beachfront residents such as Nick Branica were in attendance to find out how they will be taxed for a portion of the project. Branica, who lives north of Turtle Beach, said he feels the tax should be expanded to others in the county who use the public beach. 

Branica said the beach near his home is still in good shape from the 2007 renourishment, so he doesn’t think just beachfront properties should have to pay for this project.

“I feel like we’re being taxed to subsidize Turtle Beach, which absolutely, positively needs to be redone, no question about it,” Branica said. “But we’ve kind of already paid our share.” 

Residents farther south, whose beach is more eroded, welcome the project.

“It was beautiful last time, it was great for about four years, it was good for about five to six years and now it’s time to do it again,” Resident Douglas Colkitt said.  “I’m glad to pay it. It is money very well spent.”