Jacob Ogles
The storm surge from Hurricane Helene reopened Midnight Pass in Sarasota County — at least temporarily.
Amid the destruction caused by the Category 4 hurricane over a massive stretch of Florida’s Gulf Coast, the impact on the topology on a barrier island could reshape a decadeslong debate. As recently as this month, Sarasota County Commissioners addressed the controversy around a historic pass that has been closed since 1983.
Numerous videos shared on social media, many shared on the Restore Midnight Pass Now group on Facebook, show water now flowing between the Gulf of Mexico and Little Sarasota Bay. It’s unclear how deep a channel has formed, but it appears large enough to be seen by small aircraft.
Sen. Joe Gruters, a Sarasota Republican, also confirmed that the pass had opened.
As recently as this month, Sarasota County Commissioners voted to lobby the Legislature for a change in law to allow a reopening of the waterway, based on the fact that it was closed by man and not nature.
Such an effort has pitted environmental groups and government agencies against one another almost since the pass first was closed, an action that initially took place to protect homes, including one belonging to the late artist Syd Solomon.
The Midnight Pass Society, which has formed in multiple iterations over the years, has advocated for Sarasota County and the state of Florida to reopen the pass.
“It’s time to bring the natural beauty of Little Sarasota Bay back to life,” reads a website for the Midnight Pass Society.
The Legislature this year budgeted $500,000 for a study of the impacts of dredging the pass to allow water to flow.
But environmental groups have long fought against such steps, saying the ecology of Little Sarasota Bay has changed since the pass first closed. Moreover, the group said there are signs that at this point, any dredging would prove unsuccessful.
“Historically, Midnight Pass lost its tidal exchange many years ago,” said Glenn Compton, Chair of Manasota-88. “We’re doubtful dredging it open would ever be successful.”
He was surprised to hear the storm surge from Hurricane Helene resulted in water flow but said the question now will be if that lasts.
“If it remains open, if it is indeed open, it would be way too early to say what will change,” he said. “If it has reopened, there is no reason to dredge it, but I am doubtful it’s going to remain open for any period of time.”
It’s also too soon to see if the reintroduction of saltwater into the estuary environment in Little Sarasota Bay will have a significant effect on the natural habitats there.
But if the pass has permanently been reestablished, that may just end the debate over the cost and consequence of government action.
“Whatever happens, this is pretty much going to be determined by the natural forces taking place,” Compton said. “If mother nature determines to reopen the Pass, then so be it.”
8 comments
The Sage "E"
September 27, 2024 at 5:17 pm
Good evening Midnight Pass Supporters,
I, The Sage “E”, hereby throw my support behind your wish to re-open Midnight Pass. Once your rights are restored I, The Sage “E”, will bring my boat and lead a Trump Boat Parade thru Midnight Pass.
The Sage “E”
Your lost IQ points
September 27, 2024 at 7:55 pm
I’ll have some of what he’s smoking…
Manasota88
September 28, 2024 at 8:14 pm
You’re not getting the boat through that pass yet and probably not any time in the near future. In the water back in that estuary can be under a foot at low tide and maybe 2 feet at high tide. We don’t want boats in the estuary that’s not the point. The point is to get water circulation.
TG Mahi
September 28, 2024 at 12:09 pm
Well, Mother Nature finally took on the task herself. After 40 years of a dirtier Bay with dying fish after rainfall events, she used her hurricane calling card to do the deed. Rich men plugged the old pass to save their beachfront mansions, but Mother Nature eroded those away years ago in her natural defense against mankind’s continued efforts to take her over, constrain her with fences and seawalls, and heat her with fossil fuels. Pray that rich men will tell their appointed politicians to help keep the pass open. It may take fixing some of the damage the US Army Corps did dredging the Intracoastal Waterway and piling sand on the beaches which help lead to the poor flow regime for Midnight Pass. Amen
Manasota88
September 28, 2024 at 8:54 pm
As long as you keep the other “rich men” with their boats out of there. It is currently a nursery for all types of fish, horseshoe Crabs, hog nose rays, and I’ve also seen many baby manatees. Pretty sure oil slicks from boats is equally as damaging to the ecosystem. Everyone needs to rent a kayak or a paddleboard and go out into the estuary. You’ll see a lot more than you will from a boat.
TG Mahi
September 29, 2024 at 12:05 pm
The nursery was there, probably more robust, before the pass closure. With the pass closed, extreme DO depletions have been measured by SBNEP – now good for most of the babies. Most boaters aren’t rich men. Inclusively, boaters include a wide spectrum of people with a variety of vessels who all like to be on and in the water, enjoying nature- preferably in cleaner and clearer water then that found in Little Sarasota Bay. Enjoy the pass in the future!
D Miller
September 29, 2024 at 4:34 pm
Wrong nobody plugged the pass you idiot notherners dont even know what your talking about. Were you here in the late 70s ealy 80s of course not it is as it should be a storm closed it and a storm reopened it. Unless you were here when it closed you have nothing more to say about it get your facts straight
april
September 28, 2024 at 11:49 pm
This is absolutely amazing!
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