Siesta Key Association files lawsuit against Big Pass dredging plan

The Siesta Key Association and a longtime Siesta resident will file a lawsuit seeking to block the controversial plan to dredge sand from Big Pass to renourish Lido Key beaches, the group announced late Sunday.

The complaint will be filed in addition to the group's appeal of a state decision to issue a permit for the project.

The lawsuit will contend that the proposed dredging violates the environmental chapter of Sarasota County's comprehensive plan, which prohibits dredge-and-fill activities except to maintain previously dredged navigational channels or drainage canals, according to a draft of the complaint.

But the Big Pass channel between Lido and Siesta keys has never been dredged.

Therefore the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's notice of intent to issue the permit necessary for the project violates the county plan and should be subject to County Commission approval, the complaint will contend.