Sarasota commissioners OK a range of dredging plans, spending

The first of what could be a succession of dredging projects in Phillippi Creek will likely begin this summer, but county commissioners on Tuesday urged their constituents and county officials to reach out to federal authorities — namely U.S. Rep. Greg Steube — for help to move things along.

First on the list is a project to dredge high spots in the creek directly attributable to sediment flow from the last hurricane season. That project is considered an emergency and requires neither state nor local approval. But federal approval from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, though, could take 120 days via an expedited process, County Public Works Director Spencer Anderson said.

That’s where a little extra grease for a squeaky wheel might come in.

“I know you’re working with the federal government and Congressman Steube, and if there’s anything, you know, we’re in Tallahassee all the time with our Governmental Affairs, if you get bogged down, that’s what we’re here for, to make those phone calls,’’ Commissioner Tom Knight told Anderson. “The definition of emergency is what we make out of it. If we need to interpret emergency our way, it’s better to ask forgiveness.’’

Spencer said the initial phase of dredging would “attack the high spots’’ in areas mainly between Bee Ridge Road and Beneva Road, with a few more south of Bee Ridge. He said that would consist of creating a uniform depth of about 4 feet across about 50 feet — staying away from docks and seawalls where needed.

“That is something we’re moving on as fast as we can,’’ Spencer said.

Secondly, a broader swath from Beneva to U.S. 41 would follow, though likely to require “a more formal process with the Army Corps.’’

On Tuesday, commissioners approved working with the West Coast Inland Navigation District to design on the county’s behalf that broader project. The commission approved about $241,000 for that work.

They also approved $3 million for WCIND to dredge a segment of the creek from the Intracoastal Waterway to U.S. 41 and requested the navigation district classify Phillippi Creek’s navigational channel a “public waterway" all the way to Beneva Road for continued maintenance with local tax dollars.

Catastrophic flooding during the 2024 hurricane season, beginning in August with Tropical Storm Debby’s torrential rains, plagued homes and businesses along Phillippi Creek.

The creek that originates near Fruitville Road and Lorraine Road drains storm water from a large swath of northwestern Sarasota County into Sarasota Bay. But following 2022’s hurricane season with Ian — and beyond — portions have become clogged with sediment. Studies show a portion of the creek between Beneva Road and U.S. 41 are as shallow as 2 feet.

Even with local cooperation, though, commissioners were adamant that every bit of cajoling of federal authorities can’t hurt. At the government-to-government level and the grassroots level, as well.

“This is when I look at the audience and all those watching and listening and say ‘you have the ability to contact your congressman,’’ Commissioner Theresa Mast said. “You have the ability to help us when we make those phone calls,’ and I assure you they will see them coming in and they will read them coming in.’’