Rep. Greg Steube Urges U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to Permanently Restore Midnight Pass Following Helene and Milton
Image from Your Observer, “Sights of newly opened Midnight Pass” courtesy of Sarasota Drone Guy
SARASOTA, Fla. — U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) today called on Lieutenant General William H. Graham, Jr., of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to permanently restore Midnight Pass, which was naturally reopened by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. In his letter to General Graham, Rep. Steube emphasized the opportunity presented by the storms to address long-standing environmental and economic concerns caused by the 1984 closure of the pass by the Corps.
“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.”
Midnight Pass was closed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1984, and over the past 40 years, the ecosystem in Little Sarasota Bay has suffered as a result. Water quality has deteriorated, and nearly 70% of the seagrass beds have disappeared. The closure also negatively impacted the local fishing industry and reduced recreational and commercial boating activities.
Rep. 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. Similar to Midnight Pass, restoring these areas would improve the natural ecosystem and benefit the community.
Rep. Steube has long supported reopening Midnight Pass. He held a briefing last year with Sarasota County leadership regarding the status of the pass and what steps needed to take place at the local, state, and federal levels to reopen the pass.
Read the full letter here.
