Sarasota County Discusses Midnight Pass Management and Future Permits with FDEP

Sarasota County staff are providing commissioners updates on efforts to maintain the Midnight Pass, which reopened after Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. The county is currently collecting information, tracking changes at the pass, and considering funding and permits needed for future work. These efforts involve regular checks of the pass, quick response plans if conditions worsen, and discussions with state officials. County staff and Florida Department of Environmental Protection staff met in July to discuss conditions, future work, and potential permitting needs.

The county is actively monitoring the pass, with survey crews measuring water depth and width weekly when possible. The county memo does not indicate whether the pass is currently at risk of closing or if emergency action is required immediately. The ongoing discussions focus on the pass's long-term viability under the county’s 2026 strategic plan.