Thank you for visiting The islander Newspaper Online.

We are currently updating our website to provide you better service and function.
If you would like to access the new site, please, click here: The islander Newspaper

Sorry for any inconvenience. Our new site and service will resume shortly.

Web Master

The Award Winning & Best News on Anna Maria Island, FL Since 1992

"The Award Winning & Best News on Anna Maria Island, FL Since 1992"

Tuesday, Mar, 19, 2024
Florida Press Assn. Award-Winning Web Site
Home Latest News Weather Sports Real Estate Classifieds Island Guide islander Store

 SECTIONS

 • 

Main News

 • 

Classifieds

 • 

Opinions

 • 

Streetlife

 • 

Calendar

 • 

Fishing

 • 

Sports

 • 

Real Estate

 • 

Obituaries

 • 

Weather

 Features

 • 

Cortez Cook Off: The Results

 • 

Anna Maria Island Bridge FDOT replacement bridge

 • 

National Hurricane Center (Atlantic)

 • 

Advanced Search

 • 

I love AMI

 • 

Mystery Story

 • 

Fishing Laws

 Classifieds

 • 

Classifieds Page

 • 

Place An AD

 • 

Items for Sale

 • 

Garage Sale

 • 

Estate Sale

 • 

Announcments

 • 

Lost & Found

 • 

Pets

 • 

Transportation

 • 

Boats & Boating

 • 

Fishing

 • 

Kids 4 Hire

 • 

Help Wanted

 • 

Health Care

 • 

Services

 • 

Lawn & Garden

 • 

Landscaping

 • 

Home Improvement

 • 

Business Opportunities

 • 

Rentals

 • 

Real Estate

 Weather

 • 

Today's Forecast

 • 

10 Day Forecast

 • 

Today's Tides

 • 

Emergency e-mail

 • 

Storm Watch

 Archive

 • 

News Archive

 • 

2009 Top Notch Gallery

 • 

2008 Top Notch Gallery

 • 

2007 Top Notch Gallery

 • 

2006 Top Notch Gallery

 • 

2005 Top Notch Gallery

 • 

2004 Top Notch Gallery

 Useful Links

 • 

Island Links

 • 

i.wed

 • 

islander Store

 • 

About this Site

 Contact Us

 • 

islander Store

 • 

Subscribe

 • 

About Us

 • 

e-mail us

Story Tools

DEP ready to reconsider Anna Maria bayfront

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection believes Anna Maria’s northeast coastal shoreline from Bean Point to the Rod & Reel Pier “may now be directly affected by wave activity from the Gulf of Mexico” and may be reevaluated “for funding eligibility.”

In a letter to Manatee County, Catherine Florko of the DEP said her office will reevaluate the shoreline for eligibility for beach renourishment funds under the Florida Beach Erosion Control Program at the request of state Rep. Bill Galvano of Bradenton.

The DEP previously maintained that the shoreline in this area is on an inland waterway and not eligible for beach renourishment, Florko said in the letter. However, the submergence of Passage Key is allowing waves from the Gulf of Mexico to affect the shoreline.

That marks a 180-degree change in the DEP’s opinion, but before the DEP reevaluates the affected coastline, Florko said she needs confirmation from the county that it wants the reevaluation.

If the county wants the reevaluation, Florko said she needs documentation supporting the claim that the shoreline is directly affected by the Gulf of Mexico, and in need of beach renourishment or other erosion-control measures.

 Anna Maria Mayor Fran Barford was delighted that the DEP would reevaluate the shoreline.

“I’m very pleased this is happening. This is the only hope we’ve ever had in all the years of trying to get that area renourished with state funds. I’m hopeful this will help. At least, it’s a start,” she said.

The city will provide Manatee County Natural Resources Department director Charlie Hunsicker and the DEP with all possible assistance, she pledged.

The county’s January 2007 feasibility study of the Anna Maria shoreline recommended restoration with erosion-control structures, such as T-head groins.

Hunsicker said he would send whatever information and documentation the DEP needs to change the designation.

“It’s been a long time coming. I just hope this is successful. We’re definitely going to work with the DEP to get this area included in the next beach renourishment,” he said.

That project is scheduled to start in 2012-13 at a cost of about $16 million, not including the northeast Anna Maria shoreline, Hunsicker said.

Joan Dickinson of North Shore Drive has been trying for years to have the beach at her house and at her neighbors included in renourishment.

“I have to thank the mayor. She really stepped up and did her best to get someone to look at this shoreline. I’m optimistic,” Dickinson said.

Barford said she contacted Galvano and U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Longboat Key) last year asking for assistance in getting the DEP to consider the shoreline as part of the Gulf of Mexico, not an inland waterway.

“I’m grateful Bill [Galvano] got the ball rolling. Let’s keep our fingers crossed,” she said.

Get breaking news

Follow the islander on TwitterBecome a fan of The islander on Facebook

Sign up to receive breaking news alerts via e-mail. We'll send you a notice when the news and classifieds appear online every week, before the print edition hits the streets.

Click here for Gulf oil spill updates related to Anna Maria Island.

Historic Anna Maria City Pier Plank Walk

Put your name, your message, your memorial on the Historic Anna Maria City Pier prior to the Pier Centennial Celebration! And join the fun!

CLICK HERE for Stoltzfus e-mails and related court documents.


FREE Island
Vacation Guide:
get it here

Cortez Cookoff

Click here for 2010 Cortez Cookoff Winner and recipes

To advertise here, please
visit our rates page
or contact us at:
sales@islander.org
Phone: (941) 778-7978
Fax: (941) 778-9392

Back to top of Page

Home | Weather | Real Estate | Classifieds | Archives | Contact | Island Links
islander Store | Subscribe About this site | Classifieds Page | Place an Ad
For Sale | Garage Sales | Announcements | Lost & Found | Pets | Transportation
Boats & Boating | Fishing | Kids for Hire | Help Wanted | Health Care | Services
Lawn & Garden | Landscaping | Home Improvement | Business Opportunities | Rentals | Real Estate

Our Privacy and Copyright Statements © 1992 - 2009, The islander