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and wave action ate away sand in 2012. The FEMA project could start as early as this fall. BREATHING ROOM Residents worried about the Army Corps pro- posal to dredge Big Pass and build groins on South Lido Key say "piggybacking" on the FEMA project makes sense. It gives the community some breathing room, said Rob Patten, an environmental advocate and former Sarasota County ecologist. "We get a chance to do the due diligence we want to do," Patten added, referring to the Army Corps' modeling for the city's bigger Lido Renourishment Project. "The action taken yesterday allows every- one to step back and discuss what's best for the coastal area," Patten told The Sarasota News Leader on July 1. "The coastal system includes the entire west coast of Florida and different cells within that geographic area. You can't take one pass or island and make a plan without impacting others." WANTS AND NEEDS In discussing the financing of the Debby proj- ect on Monday, Commissioner Nora Patterson pointed out, "[The city commissioners] don't have sufficient monies for that. However the county does." "I think the need is obvious," Patterson added. Vice Chairwoman Christine Robinson said expanding the storm repair project makes sense because "clearly, they have an immedi- ate need" on Lido Key. (From left) County Coastal Resources Manager Laird Wreford, Siesta Key Association Vice President Catherine Luckner and Acting Natural Resources Director Matt Osterhoudt prepare for the start of the discussion on June 30. Photo by Norman Schimmel Sarasota News Leader July 4, 2014 Page 40