Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/297477
Siesta Key Littoral Cell (SKCLC)," which stretches from the entrance of Big Sarasota Pass to Point of Rocks. "This complex closed natural system has for centuries transferred sand down the shoal, continuously circu- lating sand onto Crescent Beach as well as protecting the beaches it nourishes from wave impact," the release adds. "It is a deli- cately balanced system and coastal geologists do not quite understand the exact mechanism of its operation." SOSS2 Save Our Siesta Sand 2 was organized "to raise funds to finance an independent coastal engineering study of the SKCLC to determine the potential for damage to the system from dredging," the release notes. SOSS2 filed its papers with the state of Florida's Division of Corporations in mid- March. Its registered agent is M&M Lodgings LLC, whose directors are Maria Bankemper, co-owner and general manager of the Best Western Plus-Siesta Key, located at 6600 S. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota; her husband, Edward Bankemper; and Mike Lepore, Maria Bankemper's father. On April 4, Lepore sent an email to the Sarasota County commissioners, noting his position with SOSS2 and with the hotel. "We moved our family to Sarasota in 1976 and raised our children on Siesta Key," he continued. "We harken back to the days of Commissioners John Saba and Jim Neville, who worked very diligently to preserve this wonderful Paradise. So it is with a love for all of Sarasota that has brought us to this posi- tion of wanting great caution to be taken with an important eco-system that … maintains the equilibrium that has made Siesta Key's beach the envy of the nation." He stressed, "[T]hat does not mean that we are against Lido's need for re-nourishment," adding, "in fact, we support it, as Lido, St. Armands, and Longboat are extremely import- ant aspects of the beauty that is Sarasota." However, in regard to the Army Corps/City of Sarasota plan for dredging Big Pass, Lepore wrote, "They can do damage with impunity. As you well know, Big Pass, unlike others, has never been dredged, and naturally contin- ues to allow for comfortable boating access (boating does not need dredging — in fact it is harmful to the natural channel)." Secondly, he pointed out, "As you may also know, Siesta Key beach is natural and one of the few areas on [Florida's west coast] that has remained stable while both Lido and Longboat have continuously needed re-nourishing." When a similar plan to dredge Big Pass was pursued for a period in 1994-95, he continued, environmental engineers who "addressed the [Sarasota County] commission explained there will never to be a sure way to predict how dredging … Big Pass … will affect Siesta Key's Beach and its north shore due to the balance that is currently in place there." "Most importantly," Lepore added, the dredging of Big Pass is unnecessary for this project. "According to well informed sources," he wrote, "there is enough sand available at New Pass and offshore to fill the current need to re-nourish [Lido Beach] without going fur- ther. Lido has been re-nourished many times and will continue to need that assistance." % Sarasota News Leader April 18, 2014 Page 45