Phillippi Creek silt build up north of the Tuttle Bridge
Update: Clarified that the WCIND Permit only includes previsouly dredged locations. In South Gate, this means only dredging to Webber Bridge.
Many neighbors have reached out recently with questions about the status of the dredging work on Phillippi Creek, especially following reports that the County’s request for an emergency permit was denied.
We want to clarify where things stand based on recent updates and conversations we’ve had with both Sarasota County Commissioners and staff, as well as WCIND officials.
What’s Really Going On?
There was some confusion this week after a message from the County Administrator indicated that the Army Corps had denied the County’s emergency permit for high spot dredging. We were stunned to be told this during two seperate meetings with Commissioners Mast and Knight on Tuesday.
However, we learned later that day that it wasn't the full story.
The Army Corps has not denied the project, they’ve simply reclassified it. Originally, the County hoped to fast-track the dredging under an emergency permit. However, the Corps decided the project does not qualifies for that expedited route in part because of the County's incomplete application and the timing of submittal and is instead moving forward under a standard permit process.
The bad news is that this means, under this permit, there will likely be no dredging until next year.
The good news is that this process is active and moving forward, including a public comment period that opened earlier this month. The Corps says they are aware of the urgency and are processing it accordingly.
There's also another glimmer of hope with the WCIND project which we will talk more about below.
County’s Timeline and Efforts
Sarasota County submitted an emergency dredging permit request in April and responded to follow-up questions from the Army Corps of Engineers. Unfortunately, due to shifting federal guidance and errors in the County’s own application, the request was disqualified from emergency status.
To make matters worse, because the County couldn’t attribute all of the sediment to last year’s storms, the project was rolled into the longer, standard permit review process.
The Army Corps officially posted the permit notice on June 9, and the initial public comment period ended June 23. However, they’ve stated they will continue accepting comments until a decision is made.
WCIND
Separately, the West Coast Inland Navigation District (WCIND) is managing dredging efforts from the mouth of the creek to U.S. 41, and their permit applications are also moving forward. They’ve completed their responses to both the DEP and the Army Corps and are ready to go out to bid once the permits are finalized.
This is good news, because the county has also worked with WCIND to expand this project all the way to Beneva Road on sections which already have been permitted.
The bad news is, this leaves out most of South Gate north of the Tuttle Bridge. This also would be a navigational dredge only and will only provide a minimal level of flood protection for residents along the creek – but its a start.
Level of Service & Continued Creek Maintenance
Dredging is a multi-phase effort involving different agencies, overlapping permits, and confusing buracratic red-tape, but we are seeing progress. Very, very slow progress but there has been progress.
The County will be discussing the costs associated with a Waterways Level of Service to the July 1st and 2nd County Commissioner Budget Workshops. Public Works will be asking the Commissioners for an additional $10 million dollars per year in the form of a massive 60% increase to stormwater assesments to "maintain" Phillippi Creek and other major waterways with routine dredging.
We don't believe that requesting $10 million for a vague "level of service" without an actual scope or vision is a solution. It’s just another way to delay action and a big indicator that County staff do not take this problem seriously.
We believe waterway maintenance decisions should be grounded in expert engineering, current data, and most importantly, reality. An increased Stormwater Level of Service means ensuring regular inspections, clear dredging schedules, and a long-term plan that prioritizes flood prevention for the thousands of residents who rely on this system to function properly.
To plan for stormwater events the County is relying on 25-year-old data which no longer reflects the realities of our watershed. This outdated data doesn’t just jeopardize effective planning, it puts the County at serious risk of violating state and federal flood standards.
Phillippi Creek, and our entire stormwater system, deserve more than empty promises and blank checks. We need a real maintenance plan, built on modern data and modeling, and managed by people who are serious about this issue.
Thank you to everyone who has stayed involved, asked thoughtful questions, and voiced support. Our community’s engagement continues to play a critical role in keeping this issue front and center.
We’ll share more updates as they become available.