Sarasota Bay Estuary Program event in June offers opportunity for sharing of research results
This fall, the Sarasota County commissioners are scheduled to hear another update on the status of Midnight Pass, which connects Little Sarasota Bay with the Gulf, Matt Osterhoudt, director of the county’s Planning and Development Services Department, recently reported to the board members.
During that future agenda item, the county consultant focused on Midnight Pass will seek the commissioners’ direction about how they would want to proceed if it appeared the channel was nearing the point when it might close, Osterhoudt added as he discussed with them his proposed 2027 fiscal year budget.
Osterhoudt characterized such a plan as a response to a realization that the pass is starting “to go in a negative direction — whatever that is: too small, less flow, shifts too much one way or the other.”
Commissioner Joe Neunder had asked Osterhoudt whether staff was planning to work on such a strategy.
Mike Jenkins, senior principal engineer with Geosyntec who is serving as the county’s consultant on the waterway, “is still working on the emergency response plan,” Osterhoudt continued. In fact, Osterhoudt said, a Solid Waste Department contract that the commissioners recently approved would allow the county “to actually dredge [the waterway] in an emergency situation. … That’s a good Step 1.”
Osterhoudt reminded the commissioners that Jenkins provided them an update on the pass in September 2025.
Further, he noted, communications are ongoing between county representatives and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP). He reminded the board members that, in an emergency situation, “We would be performing [the necessary] work. However, if possible, we would certainly like FDEP already in alignment.”
Osterhoudt further pointed out that, in the long-term, in regard to official permitting processes, any type of dredging program would entail an inlet management plan and formal monitoring of the waterway.
The contract between the county and Geosyntech “is setting the foundation for the submittal of that document,” Osterhoudt explained, referring to the inlet management plan, “as part of the [FDEP] permitting process.”
While Jenkins will discuss that with the commissioners this fall, Osterhoudt noted, the board members will need to provide policy direction for Jenkins and county staff in regard to any dredging. For example, Osterhoudt said, would the board allow dredging just for stability of the waterway?
Weekly monitoring of the waterway began on Oct. 29, 2024, Jenkins reported during his Sept. 9, 2025 remarks to the board. That date was just 20 days after Hurricane Milton’s storm surge reopened the channel that Hurricane Helene initially re-established in late September 2024, he noted.
Further, on June 17, Osterhoudt reminded the commissioners that dedicated county webpages feature the data collected from the weekly surveys of Midnight Pass, along with technical memos produced by Geosyntech.
One of Jenkins’ technical memos posted on the Midnight Pass webpages discusses the shape of the mouth of the pass, Osterhoudt said, adding, “It’s almost like a bowl.
“And it does move,” Osterhoudt continued, noting, “Nobody’s sitting there saying it’s perfectly stable, but it’s actually performing as expected.”
Osterhoudt also pointed out that FDEP staff members have been attending recent events during which Midnight Pass has been a topic of discussion. “So FDEP is fully engaged with us, which is great.”
“It’s super important that we have some scientific experts,” Neunder responded, adding, “The website is fantastic.”
As for the pass itself, Neunder said, “The water quality in that area is just phenomenal.”
Neunder said he is looking forward to Jenkins’ update.
“It really has been an amazing experience, working on Midnight Pass, for all of our team,” Osterhoudt continued. “The one true thing is how many people have come together” — the public, scientists and educators, he noted — “reallyworking toward the same goal: understand it and how to keep Midnight Pass Open.”
The Sarasota Bay Estuary Program event
As an indication of how high community interest remains in keeping the waterway open, both Neunder and Osterhoudt referenced a recent conference on Midnight Pass that the nonprofit Sarasota Bay Estuary Program (SBEP) hosted for members of the scientific community. The goal was to allow the individuals to share their analyses of the state of the pass.
Osterhoudt remarked on the synergy achieved through the sharing of such data.
On June 4, the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program reported in its Summer 2026 Bay Reflections that its event drew researchers, local government officials and community stakeholders. The workshop provided the attendees an opportunity not only to share details of ongoing research, SBEP added, but also to “identify knowledge gaps, and explore opportunities for future collaboration.”
The approximately 60 participants represented 14 organizations from across the region, the newsletter noted. Twenty presenters shared research and monitoring results, it continued, while discussions focused “on how the area’s land, water, and wildlife have responded since Midnight Pass restored the tidal connection between Little Sarasota Bay and the Gulf.”
The newsletter also pointed out, “Nearly two years after reopening, Midnight Pass has experienced a noticeable surge in recreational use. A top-ranked data gap that emerged from the workshop was the need to understand how increased recreation and vessel traffic may be impacting seagrass and wildlife species.”
“Midnight Pass is a special place for both people and wildlife,” said Ryan Gandy, executive director of the SBEP, in the newsletter. “Safeguarding the health of this area will be essential, and promoting bay-friendly recreation is a key part of that effort. Many boaters already know, love, and help steward this area,” Gandy continued. “Reaching visitors and less-familiar users will be an important next step for education and outreach.”
“Midnight Pass being open again is a remarkable opportunity,” said Rachel Herman, manager of the county’s Environmental Protection Division, during the conference, as quoted in the newsletter. “The county surveying crew is out there every week monitoring the inlet, and we’re working closely with consultants, regulatory agencies, and research institutions to build a complete picture that supports our goal to keep the pass open,” she added.
The newsletter further noted, “Community members are encouraged to stay engaged by visiting the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program website for information on bay health and bay-friendly boating practices and Sarasota County’s website for the latest updates, resources, and information related to Midnight Pass.