Who is responsible for waterway maintenance?

• Maintenance of local waterways within Sarasota County for purposes of maintaining boat navigation is not the responsibility of the state, county or city governments.
• The Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) was dredged by the Federal Government and when necessary provides for maintenance with the West Coast Inland Navigation District acting as local sponsor.

What is the county's role?
The Sarasota County Navigable Waterways Program was created to enable property owners to initiate a petition-driven process that may lead to improved access to the Intracoastal Waterway.

How is the program initiated?

• The Sarasota County Waterways Program is a neighborhood-initiated petition-driven process.
  The process begins when 67 percent of the property owners within the proposed project limits sign a petition which enables the county to contract for a waterway feasibility study.

What about property owners that don't sign the petitions?
If a project goes to completion, all properties will be assessed a share of the total project costs whether or not the owner signed a petition.

How long will waterway maintenance activity take?
In most instances the boater will be able to navigate the waterway while project maintenance is underway.

Can I use the excavated material for fill dirt?
No. The spoil material (dredged sediment) will be taken to the Sarasota County Landfill for permanent disposal.

What are the costs and repayment options?

• Each project will have its own estimated costs.
• Repayment of these costs can be either made as a lump sum or as a scheduled amortized payment starting the year after project completion.

Will there be continuing county-facilitated maintenance for navigability of the waterway?
Each county-facilitated waterway project is a one-time event.