Wading Birds

The proposed 60 foot wide, 6 foot deep Midnight Pass boating channel will plow straight through nesting & migratory bird habitat, low marsh providing fisheries habitat, and tidal lagoon habitat which creates feeding grounds for bottom feeding fish, shorebirds and invertebrates. The Audubon Society has spoken out against this plan as have many other organizations including Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Army Corps of Engineers, Sierra Club, U. S. Department of Fish and Wildlife, Sierra Club, ManaSota 88, North Casey Key Homeowners Association, etc.

Sarasota County's 35 acre Jim Neville Marine Preserve will not be spared. The Bird Islands and the Preserve fall in the path of the new Midnight Pass project as well. Currently the area is a refuge for nesting and migratory birds and Little Sarasota Bay is a wonderful fish nursery and food source for young birds.

Midnight Pass Permit Denied in 1991

State of Florida Department of Environmental Regulation FINAL ORDER issued April 4, 1991 Finding of Fact No. 33
"The grassy flats will no longer be available to the numerous species of wading birds which frequent the area since the closing of Midnight Pass." Expert testimony by Ms. Dryden and Mr. G. Jeffery Churchill stated that "Wading birds now use the shallow tidal flats and mudflats which are proposed to be removed. As a result of this project, approximately nine acres of wading bird habitat would be lost."

Finding of fact Nos. 17 and 34 "At least 50 acres of wetlands would be dredged if this project were to proceed".

What Can I Do?

If you think we should leave Midnight Pass Alone, here are three ways you can help.