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Sarasota News Leader September 20, 2013 Page 21 A major concern during that process would be the effect of the dredging and groins on Siesta Key, Mora said. "When using ebb shoal sand from any pass, you must be careful not to change its characteristics," he pointed out. The modeling had shown "no indication of increased erosion over the existing condition at Siesta Key," he added. People had asked a number of questions about the groins designed for Lido, Mora continued. The northernmost structure would be 250 feet long; the middle one, 500 feet; and the southernmost one, 460 feet in length. Eight hundred feet would separate the middle one from the southernmost groin, he added, while 600 feet would be the distance between the middle one As far as effects on the Big Pass channel for and the northernmost groin. boaters, Mora said the models also had proOn the beach, he said, "They will be practically vided assurance of "no significant differences covered." However, enough of the structures in navigable water depth." should be visible to swimmers and people on Thomas P. Pierro, director of Coastal Planning jet skis, for example, in the Gulf of Mexico. A & Engineering Inc. in Boca Raton — a consul- groin is "not a navigation hazard," he pointed tant who has been working with the Corps on out. the project since the feasibility studies began several years ago — concurred with Mora that If the groins are installed and the federal govBig Pass is the best source of sand. "We think ernment decides it will authorize no more … the results that have been provided are rea- funding for beach renourishment projects, sonable," he said, "and that they do accurate- Mora continued, "you're gonna have some ly predict what the effects might be, or lack build-up of material here" on the southern end of Lido. thereof in this particular case." Coastal Advisory Committee member Dean Mades (left) talks with Chairman Gary Comp. Photo by Rachel Hackney