Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/341318
A short-term City of Sarasota plan to renourish a section of Lido Beach that suffered signifi- cant damage from Tropical Storm Debby in 2012 may prove an interim solution to contro- versy over the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' proposal for a $19 million, 50-year plan to stabilize Lido Key at potential expense to Siesta Key. The Sarasota County C o m m i s s i o n w a s eager Monday to see if its staff and city staff can make the initiative work, especially given Lido Key residents' increasingly plaintive pleas for help and Siesta residents' increasing alarm at the Army Corps proposal. "When you look at the emails and see how passionate people are, you see it has become Siesta versus Lido, and it's unfortunate," said County Commissioner Joe Barbetta during his board's June 30 workshop. "It should not be like that. We're all in this together." Matt Osterhoudt (left) and Laird Wreford participate in the County Commission discussion on June 30. Photo by Norman Schimmel AN INTERIM SOLUTION A SHORT-TERM PLAN TO ADD MORE SAND TO LIDO BEACH IS WELL RECEIVED, BUT A MORE AMBITIOUS ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS PROPOSAL REMAINS CONTROVERSIAL The action taken … allows everyone to step back and discuss what's best for the coastal area. Rob Patten Environmental Advocate Sarasota County By Roger Drouin County Editor