Scientist bashes Big Pass dredge proposal

Save Our Siesta Sand 2 rolled out the latest justification for its opposition to the dredging of Big Pass Monday, as more than 125 concerned residents packed a Siesta Key church to hear coastal geologist Robert Young discuss the Lido Beach renourishment project.

Young, who oversees the Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines, criticized the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' conclusion that the project will not affect Siesta's beaches, citing inapproptiate modelling, data and experience — even questioning the amount of shell in samples taken from the target dredging area.

"The models are interesting, but in my view cannot be used for project design," said Young, who SOSS2 hired on retainer to analyze the plans.

The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce, Siesta Key Association, Siesta Key Village Association and the Siesta Key Condominium Council came together to host the event, which also included commentary from former Sarasota County Environmental Services Director Rob Patten, environmental activist Jono Miller and SOSS2 Chairman Peter van Roekens.

The Army Corps has applied to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for a permit, and hope to start the project this year. But, the state has asked for more information from the entity about the project within a 19-page document, which includes the request for alternative designs to protect sea turtles.

"The state is essentially asking the Corps to go back and do their work again," Young said.

Van Roekens said the organization has already collected roughly $45,000 toward potential legal costs, but would need to double that if the project goes into litigation. Click here to find out how to donate.

Young warned against rushing into legal action, and cited the 2012 cancellation of a renourishment planned in Okaloosa County as an example of a permitted controversial project that never proceeded due to public opposition.

Van Roekens did not disclose how much the organization spent to hire Young, but said he planned to keep the coastal ecologist on retainer, and said the audience gave a positive reception.

"Everybody I talked to thought he was right on target," van Roekens said.