Sarasota plans renourishment for Lido Key Beach

Project uses sand from New Pass while judge decides on proposed dredging of Big Pass

SARASOTA — The city is planning a small-scale shoreline protection project at Lido Key while it awaits a judge’s ruling on a proposed dredging of Big Pass to renourish the beach.

The city plans to use 150,000 to 200,000 cubic yards of sand from New Pass this fall to renourish Lido Key Beach. The project, projected to cost between $2 million and $3 million, depending on how much sand is used, will help offset beach erosion on the barrier island while a case opposing the dredging of Big Pass for even more sand to aid the disappearing beach is considered by an administrative law judge, city officials said Tuesday.

“It will provide some sand on the beach so there will be protection while we wait for the bigger case to be resolved,” City Engineer Alexandrea DavisShaw said.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has issued the city a permit for the project but is requiring more information on the work to be done before the agency authorizes the city to use the permit, DavisShaw said.