Sarasota Declares State Of Emergency To Help With Lido Beach

SARASOTA, FL -- Sarasota city officials declared a State of Emergency Wednesday, May 30, for Lido Beach due to severe beach erosion.

City Manager Tom Barwin said the State of Emergency is the result of severe deterioration as a result of the pounding surf from Subtropical Storm Alberto as it traveled up the state's west coast.

Barwin inspected the beach with an official from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. By declaring a state of emergency, the city is hoping to qualify for financial assistance from the state.

The city manager is authorized to declare a State of Emergency with approval from one city commissioner. Mayor Liz Alpert, the District 2 city commissioner, supported the State of Emergency, calling it “necessary.”

The State of Emergency applies to the most threatened portions of Lido Beach. On the southern half of Lido Beach, markers R-37 south to R-44.2 are included. Along the northern portion of Lido Beach, markers R-31 to R-33 are part of the local State of Emergency.

“It’s getting worse by the hour,” said Barwin. “With this relentless weather system related to Subtropical Storm Alberto, the surf continues to pound and erode the beach. It’s a dire situation. In some parts, the beach is nonexistent, leaving private property, wildlife nesting areas and infrastructure exposed and in jeopardy."

By declaring the State of Emergency for Lido Beach, the city hopes to qualify for any regulatory and financial assistance available. Also, the DEP will directly assist Lido Beach property owners to obtain a permit to place sand bags and limited quantities of sand on the beach for private property protection purposes, Barwin said.

A property owner would be eligible to place up to 300 cubic yards of beach-quality bagged sand on the beach to protect private property.

Barwin, however, is asking the state to double the amount of sand permitted to 600 cubic yards.

“While 300 cubic yards is a start, much more is needed,” said Barwin. “During our walking inspection today, the sheer force of the wave action was physically moving DEP-approved sandbags that were recently put there."

In the long term, he said the city will have to develop a plan to renourish the beach.

“The next step is to continue to collaborate with our residents and partners at the county, state and federal levels to restore and protect our beautiful, protective shoreline on Florida’s west coast,” said Barwin.

In the short term, the city has an approved permit and expects to replace sand lost during Hurricane Irma by this fall. In the long term, the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection initially approved a permit for a 50-year program with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to renourish Lido Beach on a regular basis, perhaps every five years.

Earlier this month, a state administrative law judge upheld the joint federal-local restoration project. Barring further litigation by Siesta Key petitioners, that program could begin by the end of the year.

To read the State of Emergency click here.

Lido Beach property owners interested in obtaining a DEP permit for sandbags to help slow down the erosion should contact Kelly Cramer, DEP environmental specialist II, via email: Kelly.Cramer@dep.state.fl.us.

Image via City of Sarasota