Journal

I took a quick trip to the Sarasota County Public Library to complete my background research into the history and future of Midnight Pass. Here’s what I found, and some notes:

1. “Ecological Status of Little Sarasota Bay, with reference to Midnight Pass.” February 1985. Coastal Zone Management Division of Natural Resources Management Department.

- ecological monitoring of Midnight Pass/Little Sarasota Bay initiated in 1984

- local issue of what to do with Midnight Pass (MP) simmered since early 1970’s

- thrust into spotlight when migration of MP threatened to destroy 2 private homes fronting on Gulf of Mexico (GM)

- MP inadvertently closed as consequence of unsuccessful attempt by property owners to relocate inlet channel (authorized Oct. 4th, 1983)

- no preconceived notion that Bay would change immediately or over time

Geography:

- Little Sarasota Bay (LSB): 7 mi long, narrow lagoon separated from GM by Siesta Key and Casey Key

- directly connected by MP, until recently

- historically, other inlets for LSB were Little Sarasota Pass (1883) and Muskateers Pass (1921)

- drainage basin encompasses land area of 15 sq mi with several tidal creeks flowing in and is significantly developed

- wasteloads from septic tank systems, waterfront marinas, pastureland, roadways and other development are significant

- as of 1984, 80% of natural shores altered by dredging, filling, or construction of seawalls

- manmade drainage networks altered historical water patterns

- shellfish harvesting not approved due to fecal coliform bacteria and fecal viruses from human waste

Effects of Closing:

- heavy accumulations of macroalgae: produce odor and oxygen deficits

- significant losses of seagrasses near the former inlet, smothered by algae

- elevated nitrogen and silicate values and distinct high phytoplankton levels in vicinity of MP

- reduced transparency for near-MP region of LSB

- lack of a corridor means lack of tidal exchange in region of bay and lack of direct access by organisms between Gulf and Bay

- relatively stagnant nature of the water results in wide dissolved oxygen fluctuations, decreased salinities, elevated nutrient levels as result of trapping runoff, high phytoplankton levels

- poor representation of larval fishes, depended on nursery and shelter for growth and maturation

- in 1984, approx. 1 year after inlet closing: 30% of LSB area has been effected by closure

- if MP left closed, what will happen?

-continued null zone in central region of LSB

- increase in turbidity, color and suspended solids

- transparency will decrease during plankton blooms due to lack of mixing with Gulf

- salinity will increase, low dissolved oxygen conditions

- bacterial populations may increase potential hazard of human contact with water

- benthic ecology: will be dominated by worms and detritus feeders

- diminished recruitment of fish species to area

- “The lack of a corridor between Gulf and Bay would continue to disrupt the important functional linkage that maintains a unique biological community associated with tidal inlets” (pg. 66)

2. “Blue Ribbon Panel for Midnight Pass, Final Report,” April 24, 1984, William Hereford, Chairman

Midnight Pass in the Year 2004 – Blue Ribbon Committee Vision

“ On March 12, 1984 the Midnight Pass Blue Ribbon Committee members participated in an exercise designed to reveal what members hoped the Pass area would be like twenty years from now.

Midnight Pass in the year 2004 seems to be as it was in 1965 – the Pass is open, and knowledgeable boaters can navigate the Pass with cooperating tides. Boaters can pull their boats up and easily walk to the beach – the Pass continues to function as a place to go, a destination. The entire area is a publicly owned marine park. The Mote shark tanks are gone and the park includes the southern tip of Siesta Key. No docks, boat ramps, or new structures are evident. Structures that existed in 1984 were not replaced when damaged by storms or erosion. All facilities require minimum upkeep. Although Australian Pines have been dramatically reduced since the 1980s, one can still stand in their shade and watch rare birds feeding and resting on the flood tidal shoals. Good exchange with the Gulf, unpolluted Bay waters, and a natural biological community characterize Little Sarasota Bay.” (pg. 2)