Article Discusses the Dredging of Phillippi Creek in 1926

Key Information

• Phillippi Creek has never been dredged before, prompting the need for a federal permit.
• Residents believe a historical article reveals prior dredging permits, suggesting current permit requirements may be unnecessary.
• Flooding incidents in the area have motivated residents to advocate for immediate dredging to mitigate future damage.
• Delays in the dredging process have arisen due to bureaucratic requirements from environmental agencies.

Sarasota County officials have long delayed dredging Phillippi Creek, citing the need for a federal permit from the Army Corps of Engineers due to the creek’s untouched history. However, local residents, including Nadia Bowen from the South Gate Community Association, argue this isn’t the case; their investigation into archived newspapers revealed a 1926 article that not only discusses sediment buildup but also mentions a dredging permit, raising questions about the county’s permit requirements.

“I wanted to do some homework and see what has happened in the creek historically in terms of dredging. And basically, I found the Holy Grail,” explained Bowen, reflecting on her discovery. The article, published in the Sarasota Herald, explicitly points out the necessity to manage the creek’s sedimentation and warns of future flooding. In fact, Lt. Col. Mark Brooke from the Army Corps of Engineers had highlighted the flooding issues in a letter to local officials, underscoring the ongoing risks.

Brooke’s letter underscored the potential for property damage due to future floods unless action was taken. He noted that local officials appeared hesitant to dredge past a certain point, emphasizing the need for maintenance of the creek’s lower reaches.

No Need for Federal Permit?

Bowen and other residents assert that this historical evidence suggests the county’s current application for a federal permit is redundant. “You can see how the creek was dredged between 1926 and 1946 in aerial photographs,” Bowen commented, suggesting that previous dredging has indeed occurred.

Despite these claims, a public affairs specialist from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers stated in July that a new permit is essential. “The proposed area to dredge is new work,” Peggy Bebb noted. In response to the uncovered article, she confirmed that it has been reviewed but insists it pertains to an area not directly related to the current dredging plans.

Confusion persists among residents, who believe that the historical overlap could mean the current permit isn’t required. “The federal review of the County’s 2025 dredging request has been completed,” Bebb indicated, suggesting that the permit is contingent upon local environmental clearances.

Dredging Delays Are “Beyond Frustrating”

Further complications arose when Sarasota County expressed interest in exemptions from certain environmental regulations, as revealed through internal communications. However, on August 15, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) clarified that these exemptions do not apply, requiring the county to pursue an Environmental Resource Permit.

Residents like Kristy Molyneaux, whose home was inundated during recent storms, lament the county’s mishandling of the permit process. “The delays caused by county mistakes are beyond frustrating,” she articulated, emphasizing that concurrent filings for environmental permits should have been prioritized.

As Sarasota County plans to hold a workshop on stormwater management, residents remain hopeful that progress will finally be made to address the longstanding issues with Phillippi Creek.