Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/341318
The short-term plan would shore up the southern third of Lido's beach while allow- ing local officials to delve more deeply into the details of the Army Corps' proposal. This interim solution, characterized as "the Debby project," is roughly one-tenth of the scope of the Army Corps' plan for dredging 1.3 million cubic yards of sand from Big Sarasota Pass and constructing three groins to stabilize 1.6 miles of the Lido beach. The county commissioners said they would support using additional Tourist Development Tax (TDT) revenue set aside for renour- ishment projects to help the city cover the extra cost, if it turns out the Debby project proves feasible. In 2012, a segment of Lido beach sustained sig- nificant damage when Tropical Storm Debby sat offshore for days. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has already given the city a permit to dredge 120,000 cubic yards of sand from New Pass to shore up the most affected portion of the beach. City Engineer Alex DavisShaw estimates a total of 200,000 cubic yards of sand could be placed on the shore without the city's having to seek a new permit. The County Commission voted unanimously to work with the city on the plan. The city has commissioned a new survey this month to determine how much more the affected area of beach has eroded since Debby's wind Vice Chairwoman Christine Robinson (left) and Commissioner Nora Patterson study graphics during the presentation. Photo by Rachel Hackney Sarasota News Leader July 4, 2014 Page 38