The Health of Little Sarasota Bay

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 State Legislature and Governor 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 the pollution of 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 an urban landscape.

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.

There are many projects in the Little Sarasota Bay watershed worthy of funding that 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 shore bird 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 is needed.

There are hundreds of public and private stormwater outfalls 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 by using pollutant loading models, this is insufficient in understanding 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 for calibration or verification of the historic models used to estimate pollutant loads discharging to Little Sarasota Bay.

Increased runoff for impervious surfaces and continuing urbanization of the Little Sarasota Bay watershed contribute to decrease in the Bays water quality.

Storm water 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 Countys stormwater conveyance systems in the Little Sarasota Bay watershed.

- Sampling and analyzed 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

Sea grass 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. A significant number of recreational boats are brought into Little Sarasota Bay by seasonal visitors 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 sea grass areas and repair areas of disturbed bay bottom.

- Elimination or reduction of the adverse cumulative impacts, as well as 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.

- Elimination or reduction of boat-related contaminants adding noxious amounts of undissolved oils and greases to the waters.

- Elimination or reduction of 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. Most soils located in the Little Sarasota Bay watershed is rated severe by the Natural Resource Conservation Service and are not appropriate 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.