Wreford collects community concerns for Big Pass dredge

After the county decided to hire an independent consultant to review the Army Corps’s analysis of dredging Big Pass sand for Lido Beach, it has been proactive about including community input in the discussion.

Community participation and input was one of the stipulations of the vote to hire a consultant, a decision the Sarasota County Commission made unanimously at its Aug. 20 meeting.

Laird Wreford, the county coastal resources manager, has been meeting with various stakeholders to find out what they wanted addressed in the review, and he identified three main concerns:

• South Lido Beach Park’s shoreline and the park users’ experience. People voiced concerns that placing groins near the beach would alter the shoreline, such as making it more rocky or shallow, and that would negatively impact beachgoers who frequent the park.

• Waterway navigation. Others were concerned boat navigation in the area would become more complicated.

• Siesta Key beaches. Community members were concerned the dredging would have a negative impact on the beaches to the south of Big Pass, especially Siesta Key’s public beach.

“They want their concerns heard,” Wreford said. “We want to remove the sense of ‘us versus them’ and make sure their concerns, which are very valid, are addressed.”

Wreford hopes to receive input from a few more organizations, such as the Lido Key Residents Association, before moving forward, he said.

“I want to be as inclusive and balanced as I can,” Wreford said.

His goal is to wrap up the meetings in September and compile the concerns for the selected reviewer. He aims for the third-party reviewer to be chosen by late October or early November; the consultant will be chosen based on the criteria the community considers important.