by Glenn Compton
Sarasota County is executing a study on the Little Sarasota Bay Gulf to Bay tidal connection called "Continued Investment in Water Quality for Health of the Bay.” They have contracted Applied Technology & Management, Inc. ($75,000) for Phase 1 of the study.
The Florida Legislature and Governor DeSantis approved $500,000 this year for permit work needed for the tidal connection.
Establishing a Little Sarasota Bay (LSB) Gulf-to-Bay tidal connection (an unlikely outcome) will not solve the pollution problems of Little Sarasota Bay; it nearly moves the pollution to the Gulf of Mexico, where “unintended consequences” are likely to occur. The solution to pollution is NOT dilution. The solution to pollution is elimination and reduction at its source. The closing of Midnight Pass did not cause pollution in Little Sarasota Bay; stormwater runoff is the primary cause of the pollution.
Water quality studies of LSB must include the changes that have occurred in the LSB watershed since Midnight Pass was first documented. Since the closure of Midnight Pass in 1983, the population of Sarasota County has more than doubled from approximately 200,000 residents in 1980 to nearly 465,000 residents today. Mangrove forests, wetlands, and pine flatwoods have been modified or eliminated and replaced with urban landscapes.
If Sarasota County is going to “follow the science” and decide what actions are needed to improve the water quality of Little Sarasota Bay, then the science cannot be “cherry-picked.” An integral part of understanding the health of LSB must incorporate the functions and values of the existing beach and estuarine habitats.
Many projects in the Little Sarasota Bay watershed worthy of funding are ecologically beneficial, do not cause environmental destruction, and are fiscally responsible; dredging open Midnight Pass is not one of those projects. A few of the many projects needed within Little Sarasota Bay include:
- Restoring the Jim Neville Preserve
- Control Invasive Plants
- Protection and enhancement of the productive Little Sarasota Bay estuarine system
- Maintaining existing mangrove trees and increasing mangrove tree acreage in the Little Sarasota Bay Watershed
- Protection and enhancement of the nursery habitat now enjoyed by the fish community currently within Little Sarasota Bay
- Maintaining and increasing wading and shorebird feeding habitat acreage
- Protection and enhancement of spawning areas for estuarine-dependent fish species
- Maintaining and increasing grassy flats, shallow tidal flats, and mud flats acreage that are frequented by numerous species of wading birds
At a minimum, the study of Little Sarasota Bay should include:
Verification that Stormwater Discharges are Being Monitored for Compliance
Sarasota County does not sample stormwater outfall discharges. Compliance monitoring, illicit discharge survey information, presumptive criteria, and associated hydrologic and water quality model calibration and verification are needed.
Hundreds of public and private stormwater outfalls are discharging into Little Sarasota Bay. These outfalls discharge directly to Little Sarasota Bay with no compliance monitoring of the discharge (either storm event or periodic). A total count of public outfalls and a tally of private outfalls should be identified and monitored.
Currently, the county estimates the annual pollutant loading for these outfalls using pollutant loading models. However, this is insufficient to understand the source, location, and amount of pollutants going into Little Sarasota Bay.
“Estimates” of pollutant loading should not be based upon uncalibrated and unverified models that could be off by orders of magnitude. Specific outfall sampling is needed to calibrate or verify the historic models used to estimate pollutant loads discharging to Little Sarasota Bay.
Increased runoff from impervious surfaces and the continuing urbanization of the Little Sarasota Bay watershed contribute to a decrease in the Bay’s water quality.
Stormwater runoff changes salinity patterns and increases toxic chemical transportation and sedimentation into the bay.
Freshwater and intertidal wetlands have been severely altered or eliminated in the watershed of Little Sarasota Bay. Wetlands provide valuable habitat, filter pollutants, and regulate freshwater flow into the Bay.
Measurable goals and outcomes for water quality improvements for Little Sarasota Bay and the Little Sarasota Bay watersheds include but are not limited to:
- Verification that stormwater discharges are being monitored for compliance.
- Specific outfall sampling.
- A temporal or spatial correlation regarding stormwater discharge and seagrass die-off or water quality degradation.
- Identification of Illicit discharges into Sarasota County’s stormwater conveyance systems in the Little Sarasota Bay watershed.
- Sampling and analysis of the sediments of Little Sarasota Bay and its tributaries in the proximity of stormwater outfalls.
- Enhancement and restoration of wetlands that have been previously altered or eliminated in the creeks and waterways of Little Sarasota Bay.
Increased enforcement of boating regulations and a decrease in boat-related pollutants
Seagrass beds have been severely impacted by personal watercraft, powerboats, and motorboats in the shallow waters of Little Sarasota Bay and the former Midnight Pass area. Seasonal visitors bring a significant number of recreational boats into Little Sarasota Bay each year.
Measurable goals and outcomes for water quality improvements for Little Sarasota Bay and the Little Sarasota Bay watershed include but are not limited to:
- Restriction of motorized watercraft in seagrass areas and repair areas of disturbed bay bottom.
- Elimination or reduction of the adverse cumulative impacts and secondary impacts from boating activities such as prop scars, hydrocarbon pollution, boat paints, and wildlife disturbance.
- Increased Marine patrol and law enforcement in problem areas.
- Eliminating or reducing boat-related contaminants adds noxious amounts of undissolved oils and greases to the waters.
- Eliminating or reducing the negative environmental impacts associated with the seasonal increase in boats.
Reduction or Elimination of Pollution from Septic Tanks
Septic tanks can discharge residual nitrogen, phosphorus, and other pollutants into adjacent waterways. The Natural Resource Conservation Service rates most soils in the Little Sarasota Bay watershed severely and does not recommend them for septic tanks.
Measurable goals and outcomes for water quality improvements for Little Sarasota Bay and the Little Sarasota Bay watershed include but are not limited to:
- Eliminate septic tanks in the Little Sarasota Bay watershed.
Glenn Compton is the Chairman of ManaSota 88, a non-profit organization that has spent over 30 years fighting to protect the environment of Manatee and Sarasota counties.
