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Sarasota News Leader September 20, 2013 Page 46 After Tuesday's meeting, Patterson told The Sarasota News Leader that members of the community are not only largely divided over whether to dredge the pass but also split over how the work could be done. The Corps sent its engineering team to Sarasota this week to present information about the project during a Sept. 18 Sarasota County Coastal Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting. (See the related article in this issue.) While many Siesta residents are concerned about the Corps' interest in Big Pass, some limited dredging — along the lines of what the past consultants suggested — could garner some residents' support, she indicated. Federal officials will hold upcoming public workshops and "talk to boaters and various associations that may be involved," Wreford pointed out. "There has seemed partial acceptance of a dredge on the exterior part of the Big Pass shoal, a dredge suggested some years back, but this would not likely be navigational in nature from the first presentation we had exploring this idea," Patterson wrote in an April email when she first learned of the renewed effort to dredge Big Pass. Some area boaters, however, are in favor of a deep dredge that would improve navigation in the pass; the channel depth remains about five-and-a-half feet. But that approach would require follow-up dredging every few years, Patterson said, adding she was not sure the county should fund that expense on a regular basis. In addition to the Sept. 18 CAC meeting, on Oct. 22, federal officials will make a presentation to a joint session of the Sarasota County Commission and the City Commission. On Dec. 5, the Corps will discuss its plan with members of the Siesta Key Association. Then, on Dec. 7, the Corps will provide the same presentation to the Boaters Coalition at the Sarasota Yacht Club. BEACH GROINS One other aspect of the beach project that could prove challenging is the Corps' proposal for three rock groins on Lido Beach. The structures, essentially rock walls perpendicular to the beach, would be placed on the south end of Lido, according to current "There are challenges," Patterson added. Corps plans. The groins are intended to trap The Big Pass option is a preliminary one, with the newly placed sand on the beach. several public meetings scheduled to take However, groins are discouraged in the counplace over the next few months, Wreford told ty's comprehensive plan: "While there are a the commissions. Corps officials have been number of groins and jetties in Sarasota Counstudying the local coastal system, including ty, the County's current management guidehow sand moves through it. lines discourage shoreline stabilization tech"The Corps has to address that the use of sand niques that interrupt natural beach processes. from [Big Pass] will not be detrimental at this Non structural approaches to beach/dune restoration are preferred." % time," Wreford added.