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more symmetrical than it has been since then. As early as 1952, it continues, the southern channel bank of Big Pass was being hard- ened as a result of construction of revetments along the embankment. That construction also added to the increase in local tidal cur- rents "and further defined the channel." A Corps of Engineers report issued in 1962 says the inlet channel of Big Pass "has steadily migrated southward for years and that the channel has cut into the south bank of the inlet severely along Siesta Key." The material eroded from Lido Key and down- drift sediment have combined to produce the "rather large shoal that reinforces the location of the inlet channel against the south bank of the inlet," the report continues. THE GROINS The Corps of Engineers report focuses as well on modeling regarding the proposal to erect three groins on south Lido Key to help keep the renourished sand in place. "The model was run for the most conservative alterna- tive," defined as the one expected to have the most impact in the region, the report says. If the groins are put in place without renour- ishment, a greater amount of sediment will accrete in the vicinity of the groin field, the report notes. "However," it points out, "if there is no beach nourishment, the accretion in this region is at the expense of the most southerly part of Lido Key, where accretion is decreased and erosion is increased, which is an undesirable effect." A run of the model with renourishment fac- tored in and the groins in place shows the accretion of sediment in the vicinity of the groin field would be greater, especially in the region fronting the condominiums on the beach, the report continues. "Most import- ant," it says, "if the nourishment project is in place, the most southerly part of Lido Key is stable, neither increasing in accretion, nor erosion" as long as the beach continues to be renourished. HISTORY OF LIDO KEY The report explains that the study and analy- sis would be incomplete if the history of Lido Key were not understood. "Neither Lido Key nor St. Armands Key existed 100 years ago," it points out. They were part of a grouping of small islands called the Cerol Isles. During the 1920s, circus entrepreneur John Ringling filled in the shallows separating the Cerol Isles, creating the new island of Lido Key. % Don't have your own subscription to The Sarasota News Leader? Subscribe for FREE and receive a weekly notification when the latest issue is available online. FREE SUBSCRIPTION Sarasota News Leader June 13, 2014 Page 15