Rep. Steube urges officials to permanently restore Midnight Pass
ABC7 — Representative Greg Steube has come out to urge the Army Corps of Engineers to leave Midnight Pass open after 40 years of controversy.
In 1983, Little Sarasota Bay was closed off from the Gulf of Mexico by the Army Corps of Engineers to prevent property damage and erosion. Residents of Siesta Key are still passionate about the topic.
Despite the devastation many have faced from Hurricane Helene, some say something extraordinary occurred. Helene caused Midnight Pass to reopen. Some say its an ‘Act of God.’
Whether or not anyone will make a move to reclose the opening, it is too soon to say.
“Although Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused tremendous damage in my district and across the state of Florida, the storms naturally reopened Midnight Pass between Little Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, which provided an opportunity for my constituents to experience some of the benefits of a reopened pass,” wrote Rep. Steube. “I am hopeful that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will complete a permanent restoration of Midnight Pass.”
Steube highlighted the environmental benefits of reopening the pass, noting that cleaner water would flow into Little Sarasota Bay, improving water circulation, reducing pollution, and fostering the return of marine life like oysters and shrimp.
In addition to calling for the permanent restoration of Midnight Pass, Rep. Steube also urged the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to open Little Gasparilla Pass and Stump Pass in Charlotte County.
