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Sarasota News Leader January 17, 2014 Page 29 for renourishment projects, "that would be disastrous." During the August SKA meeting, van Roekens pointed out the New Pass channel was "severely damaged." Over a period of close to two years, van Roekens has reminded SKA members that Big Pass never has been dredged. In elaborating on his concerns on Jan. 9, van Roekens explained that the Corps' maps of Big Pass contain errors, including a notation that the minimum depth is greater than 19 feet along Siesta Key. "Anybody who's been out there knows there's not 19 feet," he added, drawing some laughter from the approximately 30 people in the audience. "I think we need to take a stand and … oppose this dredging," he continued. He then made the motion that the SKA state "its grave concern" in opposition to any attempt to dredge Big Pass. SKA Director Deet Jonker seconded it. Luckner immediately reminded her colleagues about the Aug. 1 action, when they had agreed to wait until after the Corps made all its reports available to the public before it took a stand. The SKA also has sought a County Commission review of the project and a formal public meeting process, she noted. However, "I'm not saying that what you're proposing, Peter, is that we can't say we have grave concerns," Luckner continued. "I think that's probably a pretty true statement." Mark Smith addresses the Siesta Key Association board on Jan. 9. Photo by Rachel Hackney Van Roekens explained that the Corps already had delayed the release of its reports from fall to late February or early March. "They don't have their act together," he added. The Corps proposes dredging 1.1 million cubic yards of sand from the ebb shoal of Big Pass to undertake the first renourishment of Lido Beach over the 50-year life of the current proposal, van Roekens continued. (Corps Project Manager Milan A. Mora suggested to members of the Sarasota County Coastal Advisory Committee on Sept. 18 that sand could be taken from New Pass as well as Big Pass, in alternating projects every five years, in the effort to maintain sufficient sand on Lido.) Referring to Big Pass, van Roekens said, Still, Luckner said, she did not want to "cut "That's a gigantic hole, and what happens when that hole is dug? They don't know. … off conversation."