100 Years of Broken Promises

A documented timeline of deferred maintenance on Phillippi Creek. Every claim sourced. Every promise tracked.

Phillippi Creek is a clear example of what happens when a county sidesteps its own code. In 1994, Sarasota County adopted Section 110-311 (Article IX), requiring it to maintain stormwater conveyance systems, including creeks and canals. That obligation is explicit.

Instead, the County relied on Article XXX (2001), a navigational ordinance not intended for stormwater maintenance. It created a petition-based dredging program and shifted the burden and cost to property owners, while residents were pointed to the wrong ordinance for years.

This timeline documents the evidence. Every entry is sourced from public records, county documents, engineering reports, or news coverage.

Why This Matters Now

In August 2024, Tropical Storm Debby exposed the consequences of decades of neglect. The Cowpen Slough dike — breached since 2018 without anyone noticing — flooded 80+ homes in a neighborhood that wasn't even in a flood zone.

The county has since secured federal disaster recovery funds and approved additional local funding. But the fundamental issue remains: the county has a legal obligation under its own ordinance (Section 110-311) to maintain these waterways, and residents now have the documentation to hold them to it.

Phillippi Creek is the case study, but this is a county-wide issue. Any resident on any waterway covered by Section 110-311 can make the same case.

Flooding Financial Neglect Dredging Regulatory Political
March 3, 2026 Political

BCC Meeting: Phase II Maximum Allowable Dredge Direction & WCIND DMMA Agreement

Board of County Commissioners meeting with three stormwater/dredge items. Item 41 (Discussion): Board to provide direction on Phillippi Creek Stormwater Conveyance Dredge Project Phase II maximum allowable dredge scope — a follow-up from the Feb 10 board assignment. Item 20 (Consent): Approval of agreement with West Coast Inland Navigation District for dredge material management area at Phillippi Estate Park. Item 37: Letter of support for WCIND funding through Representative Steube.

February 12, 2026 Regulatory

USACE Pre-Application Meeting: Permit Complexity, Co-Permittee Transfer, and Dewatering

The county held a pre-application meeting with USACE to discuss modifying both the county and WCIND permits. Key issues included: (1) Permit complexity — the county taking over WCIND's authorized areas, expanding from 30-foot to 50-foot dredge width, adding oxbow canals, and the critical distinction between navigational and stormwater dredging purposes. USACE confirmed modifications would require public notice and agency re-consultation. (2) Co-permittee transfer — USACE confirmed the county could be added as a co-applicant on the WCIND permit through an administrative process taking approximately two weeks, allowing the county to begin dredging the WCIND-authorized 30-foot channel while working on the larger permit modification for 50-foot dredging. (3) Dewatering — a permit modification for dewatering had been submitted and approved for the WCIND permit, resolving a previous difference between the two permits where WCIND's original permit did not allow dewatering.

January 8, 2026 Political

SEUAC: Four locations being dredged simultaneously

Four locations dredged simultaneously on Phillippi Creek. Dredging expected complete summer 2026. WCIND updates on using dredge sediment as road base. County Phase 2 permitting update.

December 11, 2025 Political

SEUAC: Concerns about dredge project gap with WCIND

Jim McWhorter from SAND discussed potential gap in dredge project with WCIND. Discussion of how dredging affects storage and conveyance.

December 10, 2025 Dredging

Phillippi Creek Phase 1 Dredging Construction Begins

Physical dredging work began on Phillippi Creek under a 180-day contract. Phase 1 focuses on removing sediment hot spots between Tuttle Avenue and Beneva Road, with crews removing over 49,000 cubic yards of sediment. The project targets high-spot areas with significant sediment buildup, dredging to 50 feet wide and 4 feet deep at mean low water. Phase 1 completion expected by summer 2026. The project is part of a $64M package including $45M from HUD and $3M from WCIND.

December 4, 2025 Regulatory

Quartermaine Follow-Up Memo on Bayous and Coves Dredging

Ben Quartermaine issued a follow-up memo providing additional information on the Phase II dredging, including analysis of bayous and coves. Modeling indicated that sedimentation within bayous and coves does not impact floodplain conditions, making their dredging primarily navigational rather than stormwater-related. Cost estimate for bayou/cove dredging was $8-9 million for ~24,000 cubic yards.

November 20, 2025 Political

Sarasota County / PCC Update Meeting

Update meeting between Sarasota County officials and the Phillippi Creek Coalition to discuss the dredging project's status, permits, and funding.

November 18, 2025 Regulatory

Quartermaine Memo Establishes Maximum Allowable Dredge Limits

Ben Quartermaine, PE, Director of Stormwater, issued an interoffice memorandum to County Administrator Jonathan Lewis establishing the maximum allowable dredge limits for the Phillippi Creek Dredge Project Phase II. The memo defined a 34-foot offset from each bank.

November 18, 2025 Financial

BCC Approves $30M Major Waterways Dredging Program

The BCC voted 5-0 (Smith/Knight) to approve $30 million for flood prevention projects through the Resilient SRQ program, including dredging of Hudson Bayou ($15 million) and Whitaker Bayou, plus improvements to the Celery Fields. The funding was part of the $211 million Resilient SRQ program using federal CDBG-DR funds. This confirmed waterway maintenance is a county-wide issue beyond Phillippi Creek.

November 13, 2025 Political

SEUAC: County to take over Phillippi Creek dredging from WCIND

County to take over dredging upstream of WCIND. Army Corps permit needs amendment/transfer. Dredging projects for Hudson Bayou, Phillippi Creek, and Whitaker Bayou at 11/18 Commission meeting.

October 28, 2025 Dredging

High-Spots Dredging Project Begins

The initial 'high-spots' dredging of the most clogged portions of Phillippi Creek began, targeting approximately 8,925 linear feet of channel at about four feet of depth. This was the first significant dredging of Phillippi Creek in decades.

October 21, 2025 Financial

BCC Approves $14.48M Phillippi Creek Dredging CIP

BCC approves Phillippi Creek High Spots Stormwater Conveyance Dredging (Project 75888) with $14,482,224 budget for FY2026-2030. Continental Heavy Civil Corp selected: Group 1 ($3.3M) and Group 2 ($10.4M). New Stormwater Director Ben Quartermaine presents.

October 9, 2025 Regulatory

SEUAC: WCIND permit amendment discussed for Phillippi dredging

Phillippi Creek Coalition present. Resilient SRQ application for dredging discussed. Kristy Molyneaux requested county amend WCIND navigational dredge permit. Staff noted need to show sediment impact on floodplain.

October 8, 2025 Regulatory

USACE Issues County Dredging Permit (SAJ-2025-01036)

After submitting in April, responding to additional information requests in May, posting public notice in June, and receiving NMFS concurrence in August, the USACE issued permit SAJ-2025-01036 authorizing the county to dredge portions of Phillippi Creek. However, USACE stated the county and WCIND project areas could not overlap.

October 2, 2025 Political

Phillippi Creek Sewer Project Confirmed Still On Hold

County Public Utilities confirms Phillippi Creek Sewer/Septic Replacement Project remains on hold with no restart date, nearly 4 years after BCC paused the $31M ARPA-funded program in Dec 2021.

September 2, 2025 Political

WUSF Reports Discovery of 1926 Dredging Article

WUSF published a story about Nadia Bowen's discovery of the 1926 Sarasota Herald article describing the Army Corps' warning about Phillippi Creek flooding and referencing a dredging permit. The discovery challenged the USACE's claim that the creek had 'never been previously dredged.'

August 29, 2025 Political

County Delivers Stormwater Audit and Ordinance Revisions

County delivered Steve Suau's stormwater audit report and proposed ordinance revisions for Article IX (Stormwater District) and Article XXX (Navigable Waterways) to community stakeholders.

August 14, 2025 Financial

SEUAC: 10M budget amendment for Phillippi dredging discussed

Key items: 10M budget amendment for Phillippi dredging, 149K budget amendment, SEU assessment rates. Kristy Molyneaux from SAND discussed dredging. Eileen Normile discussed Senate Bill 180.

August 2025 Regulatory

Suau Program Audit Reveals SEU Revenue of $30M with Unfunded Needs

Stephen M. Suau completed a Stormwater Program Audit (Task 2) revealing that the SEU is an enterprise fund with annual revenue of approximately $30 million collected via non-ad valorem assessments. The audit reviewed over 40 ongoing and planned stormwater projects and identified significant unfunded needs.

July 10, 2025 Financial

HUD Fact Sheet: $74.5M Total Project, $45M Federal

The county published a HUD Funding Fact Sheet for the Phillippi Creek dredging project detailing the full scope: dredging approximately 38,000 linear feet (seven miles) of creek at an estimated total cost of $74,500,000, of which $45,000,000 would come from HUD CDBG-DR funds.

July 9, 2025 Political

Former Assistant County Attorney Testifies on 2001 Ordinance

Former assistant county attorney Susan Schoettle-Gumm tells BCC the 2001 navigable waterways ordinance/MSTU was created for navigational dredging, not stormwater maintenance. 'I don't recall any thought at the time that [the program] was going to be used for stormwater volume and drainage.' Commissioner Mark Smith, who had asked about the ordinance, thanks her. This contradicts county staff's position that residents' failure to petition for dredging explained decades of neglect.

July 8, 2025 Financial

Commission Reallocates $10M Stormwater Funds to Phillippi Creek

Sarasota County Commission Chairman Joe Neunder led a reallocation of $10 million in stormwater funds to focus on Phillippi Creek drainage improvements, amid delays in the major HUD-funded dredging project and a hurricane season already underway.

July 1, 2025 Political

BCC Creates Standalone Stormwater Department After Public Outcry

Sarasota County commissioners voted unanimously 5-0 (Knight/Smith) to break stormwater off from Public Works and create a standalone department with a dedicated expert department head reporting directly to the County Administrator, following a joint Florida Trident/Suncoast Searchlight investigation exposing systemic mismanagement. Residents packed the chambers demanding accountability. Kristy Molyneaux declared 'Stormwater leadership is broken.' The job was posted during the meeting. Commissioners Smith and Neunder floated Stephen Suau as an interim hire. The board also voted to make Steve Suau documents publicly available with county staff information for transparency.

July 2025 Regulatory

DEP Initially Grants Then Reverses Exemption for Dredging

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection initially indicated the county's dredging project qualified for an Environmental Resource Permit exemption, but then reversed course. County officials had believed they could get an exemption from water management district permitting requirements, but DEP determined the project was no longer eligible.

June 30, 2025 Financial

Sarasota County Executes HUD CDBG-DR Grant Agreement

Sarasota County executed the grant agreement for the Resilient SRQ program, funded through $45 million in federal Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds for Phillippi Creek dredging. This was the first county action plan approved by HUD in the State of Florida.

June 27, 2025 Regulatory

Army Corps Denies Emergency Dredging Before Hurricane Season

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers denied Sarasota County's emergency permit request for dredging Phillippi Creek, determining the project was too large for emergency authorization and reclassifying it as a standard application. The county had filed paperwork at the last possible moment without key details including dredging volume and a sediment management plan. The Corps determined sediment had built up over years, not from recent storms. County officials said they had no reason to think it wouldn't qualify after their April meeting. Commissioner Tom Knight called the failure 'negligence.' The denial meant no dredging would occur before the 2025 hurricane season, prompting an administrative shakeup.

June 17, 2025 Neglect

County Reveals Navigable Waterways Program Collects Less Than $200K/Year

County officials revealed that the Navigable Waterways Maintenance Management Program (NWMMP), the dedicated program for dredging navigable waterways including Phillippi Creek, collects less than $200,000 per year—wildly insufficient for maintaining a seven-mile waterway. Creek maintenance was not funded through the SEU assessment structure but through this minimal program.

June 12, 2025 Political

SEUAC receives update on Phillippi Creek dredge project

County staff provided update on Phillippi Creek dredge project. David Ochs with SAND discussed flooding. Connie Neeley inquired about dredging specifics.

June 4, 2025 Financial

HUD Approves $210.1M CDBG-DR Disaster Recovery for Sarasota County

HUD approves $210.1M in CDBG-DR funds (Grant B-25-UU-12-0008) for 2024 storm recovery. Includes $45M earmarked specifically for Phillippi Creek dredging (7-mile stretch, mouth to Beneva Road, 63,827 CY) and $30M for dredging of other major waterways. Largest single named project in the plan.

June 3, 2025 Political

BCC Votes to Create Separate Stormwater Department (5-0)

BCC votes 5-0 (Knight/Smith) to instruct County Administrator to create a separate Stormwater Department split from Public Works, signaling recognition that stormwater management needs dedicated leadership.

May 21, 2025 Political

BCC Pauses All Stormwater Regulatory Changes (SB 180)

BCC votes 5-0 (Knight/Mast) to pause all stormwater regulatory recommendations pending Senate Bill 180 and Governor signature. This effectively halts county stormwater ordinance updates until late 2027.

May 21, 2025 Political

BCC Stormwater Workshop

Spencer Anderson blames lack of resident participation in navigational petition program for decades of no dredging on Phillippi Creek. Presents MSTU boundaries.

May 6, 2025 Political

BCC Approves $3M WCIND Dredging Agreement

BCC approves resolution authorizing WCIND to manage $3M maintenance dredging project, interlocal agreement, resolution requesting Phillippi Creek (US 41 to Pinecraft Park) classified as public waterway by WCIND, and cooperative agreement for pre-construction work (US 41 to Beneva Rd).

May 6, 2025 Financial

BCC Approves CNIF Resolution for Dredging

The Board of County Commissioners passed a resolution during the May 6 meeting establishing a Community Needs and Infrastructure Fund (CNIF) to support dredging operations.

May 2025 Regulatory

County and WCIND Submit Dual Permit Applications

Both Sarasota County and the West Coast Inland Navigation District submitted permit applications to dredge Phillippi Creek in a planned two-pronged approach from the mouth of the creek to S. Beneva Road. The county submitted to USACE on April 13 and DEP on April 28.

April 22, 2025 Political

BCC Approves CDBG-DR Action Plan Allocations

County Commission approves allocations for $210.1M HUD CDBG-DR disaster recovery plan, including $45M for Phillippi Creek dredging. Plan submitted to HUD April 25. Draft had received 560 public comments during Mar 3 - Apr 3 comment period.

April 21, 2025 Political

Public Works Meeting with SAND Reveals Scope Limitations

At a meeting with the Sarasota Alliance for Neighborhood Dredging (SAND), county officials revealed that when petitioned to dredge 5 feet deep by 50 feet wide, they would still only dredge 4 feet deep by 30 feet wide. Paul Semenec stated contractors normally dredge too deep beyond 4 feet anyway.

April 14, 2025 Regulatory

County Submits Emergency Permit Application to USACE on Last Possible Day

Sarasota County submitted its emergency permit application to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for high-spot dredging on the last possible day, April 14, 2025. The application sought authorization under the emergency provisions.

April 10, 2025 Political

Seth Johnson and Nadia Bowen address SEUAC on Phillippi Creek flooding

Phillippi creek residents Seth Johnson and Nadia Bowen requested flooding be treated as priority. Forest Lakes HOA representative Connie Neeley asked dredging questions.

March 12, 2025 Political

BCC 2nd Stormwater Workshop — Unanimous 5-0 Vote to Dredge

At the second stormwater workshop, the BCC voted 5-0 (Smith/Mast) to authorize Spencer Anderson and the County Administrator to use all available resources to dredge the main Phillippi Creek channel up to Beneva Road, working with WCIND on design and permitting. All five commissioners used the words 'urgent' and 'emergency' to describe the situation. 21 residents commented. This was the first formal authorization for creek dredging in decades.

February 25, 2025 Political

BCC First Stormwater Workshop — Public Pressure Mounts

The Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners held the first of several stormwater workshops in response to the Tropical Storm Debby flooding. Residents from South Gate, Forest Lakes, and other neighborhoods demanded action on Phillippi Creek dredging.

February 13, 2025 Political

SAND presents to SEUAC: Phillippi Creek needs dredging

Jacob Crabtree and Jim McWhorter from SAND discussed Phillippi Creek needing to be dredged. Alexandra Coe discussed property flooding.

February 2025 Regulatory

Cummins Cederberg Completes Phillippi Creek Dredging Feasibility Report for WCIND

Engineering firm Cummins Cederberg completed a maintenance dredging feasibility report for WCIND. The report estimated 5,100 cubic yards of sediment removal needed in the primary dredge area and 19,600 cubic yards in the upstream extension area, based on bathymetric surveys and aerial imagery analysis.

January 15, 2025 Political

Phillippi Creek Residents Flood BCC Public Comment

Nine residents (Bowen, McWhorter, Jerrems, Temple, MacKenzie, Crabtree, Merkle, Molyneaux, Topjun) address BCC about storms and flooding on Phillippi Creek, marking the start of sustained public pressure in 2025.

November 2024 Regulatory

County Meets with USACE to Discuss Dredging Permits

Sarasota County Public Works met with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in November 2024 to begin discussions about obtaining permits for Phillippi Creek dredging. This was the first formal engagement with USACE on the dredging effort.

November 2024 Regulatory

Suau Engineering Report: Independent Review and Recommendations

Stephen M. Suau, P.E., completed an independent review of flooding in the Phillippi Creek Basin due to Tropical Storm Debby. The report recommended operational improvements to the SEU, better use of technology for maintenance, increased coordination, and re-engagement with the public. The report noted SEU annual revenue of approximately $25 million.

October 22, 2024 Political

BCC Declares Hurricane Milton Disaster Area, Approves CDBG-DR Reallocation

BCC adopted Resolution No. 2024-212 declaring Hurricane Milton disaster area (5-0). Ratified permit fee suspension through May 2025. Considered CDBG-DR reallocation for Voluntary Buyout Program. Adopted Resolution No. 2024-195 delegating Debby recovery agreements. Fourth major flood event of 2024.

October 9, 2024 Flooding

Hurricane Milton — Fourth Flooding Event of 2024

Hurricane Milton struck Florida's Gulf Coast, adding yet another round of flooding to the Phillippi Creek basin. Combined with Invest 90L in June, Tropical Storm Debby in August, and Hurricane Helene in September, this made 2024 the most devastating flood year in the creek's recorded history — four major events in five months.

October 2024 Political

Ben Quartermaine Hired as Stormwater Director

Sarasota County hired Ben Quartermaine as the new stormwater director following the 2024 flooding crisis. He would go on to lead the creation of a standalone stormwater department and spearhead the Phillippi Creek dredging permit and project.

September 26, 2024 Flooding

Hurricane Helene Causes Additional Flooding Along Phillippi Creek

Hurricane Helene brought storm surge and heavy rainfall to Sarasota County, causing additional flooding along Phillippi Creek just weeks after Tropical Storm Debby. Some residents who had begun recovery from Debby were flooded again. This was the third flooding event of the 2024 season.

September 10, 2024 Financial

BCC Authorizes $721K for Phillippi Creek Dam Removal

BCC voted 5-0 to authorize transferring $721,592 to infrastructure and awarding it to the Phillippi Creek Dam Removal project. Moved by Smith, seconded by Cutsinger. This funding came after years of feasibility studies recommending full dam removal.

August 27, 2024 Political

BCC Declares Hurricane Debby Disaster Area, Public Demands Stormwater Action

BCC ratified Resolution No. 2024-157 suspending permit fees for Debby damage repairs. Adopted Resolution No. 2024-158 declaring disaster area (5-0). Multiple public commenters including Thomas Fastiggi spoke about Phillippi Creek stormwater system failures. Chris Bales, Lynn Inganamort, and Robert Wright demanded stormwater planning.

August 5, 2024 Flooding

Cowpen Slough Dike Breach Floods 80+ Homes in Laurel Meadows

During Tropical Storm Debby, water flows through the 6-year-old undetected breach in the Cowpen Slough dike, flooding the Laurel Meadows neighborhood — which is not in a flood zone. More than 80 homes are damaged. Residents are bewildered. Stephen Suau, the retired engineer who first organized the county's stormwater department, discovers the breach by watching a YouTube video posted by a resident.

August 5, 2024 Flooding

Tropical Storm Debby Causes Historic Flooding in Phillippi Creek Basin

Tropical Storm Debby dumped massive rainfall on Sarasota County, causing historic flooding throughout the Phillippi Creek basin. Homes were inundated, residents were trapped for days, and the decades of neglected creek maintenance were catastrophically exposed. The flooding was comparable to the 1962 and 1992 events that had previously prompted action.

June 11, 2024 Flooding

Invest 90L Drops Up to 10 Inches — 2024 Flood Season Begins

A tropical weather system designated Invest 90L produced between 5 and 10 inches of rain in Sarasota County, including nearly 4 inches in less than one hour. The City of Sarasota declared a local state of emergency. This was the first of four flooding events in 2024 that would devastate the Phillippi Creek basin, preceding hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton.

March 2024 Regulatory

SurvTech Solutions Conducts Bathymetric Survey of Phillippi Creek

SurvTech Solutions conducted a bathymetric survey of Phillippi Creek in March 2024 as part of the WCIND feasibility study. A follow-up survey was conducted in January 2025. These surveys documented sediment accumulation and established baseline conditions for the proposed maintenance dredging project.

February 8, 2024 Political

SEUAC: Phillippi Creek basin maintenance and new FEMA flood maps

SEUAC agenda includes Phillippi Creek basin maintenance. Chair received calls from neighbors about new FEMA flood maps.

October 12, 2023 Political

SEUAC discusses sediment removal near Phillippi Creek

Staff referenced sediment removal in canal off Phillippi Creek near River Ridge Drive.

October 10, 2023 Regulatory

BCC Approves WCIND Phillippi Creek Dredging Feasibility Study — $120K

BCC adopted Resolution No. 2023-224, authorizing WCIND to conduct a Maintenance Dredging Feasibility Study of a portion of Phillippi Creek, not to exceed $120,000. Approved interlocal agreement. Presented by Rachel Herman, Environmental Planning Manager. First BCC action specifically addressing Phillippi Creek dredging in decades.

September 12, 2023 Financial

BCC Approves Resilient SRQ CDBG-DR Public Action Plan (5-0)

BCC approved recommended projects and programs for the Resilient Sarasota (SRQ) Public Action Plan CDBG-DR program, 5-0 vote. This Hurricane Ian disaster recovery funding would later become significant for Phillippi Creek area flood mitigation.

July 11, 2023 Financial

BCC Approves CDBG-DR Draft Funding Uses and Delegation Authority

BCC heard presentation on Resilient Sarasota (SRQ) CDBG-DR program and approved draft funding uses. Adopted resolution delegating authority to County Administrator to manage and expend CDBG-DR funds for Hurricane Ian recovery.

2023 Regulatory

USF Water Institute Finds Phillippi Creek Water Quality 'Poor'

Water samples taken by the University of South Florida Water Institute found the quality of Phillippi Creek to be 'poor' through much of 2023 and 2024, based on sediments, nutrients, temperature, contaminants, and dissolved oxygen levels. This deterioration reflected decades of deferred maintenance and increasing runoff from development.

September 14, 2022 Financial

BCC Adopts FY2023 Stormwater Assessment — First Increase Since 2009 (4-1)

BCC adopted Resolution No. 2022-159 for FY2023 Annual Stormwater Service Assessment. Commissioner Moran voted No. First stormwater rate increase since 2009 after the Wood Group business plan revealed systemic underfunding.

August 30, 2022 Political

BCC Requests Policy to Accumulate Larger WCIND Grant Funds

Commissioner Cutsinger raised Board Assignment No. 22007 on WCIND Grants. Board consensus requested County Administrator provide policy recommendations to accumulate and keep larger funds from WCIND Grants rather than spending small amounts annually.

August 2022 Financial

First Stormwater Rate Increase Since 2009 Approved

Sarasota County approved its first stormwater assessment rate increase since 2009. County staff did not disclose an existing million surplus when recommending the hike. Within two years, the surplus swelled to nearly million.

August 2022 Regulatory

Wood Report: SEU Business Plan Reveals Systemic Underfunding

Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions completed the Stormwater Environmental Utility Business Plan (known as the 'Wood Report'). The report documented that the assessment rate hadn't been updated since 2009, identified numerous unfunded projects, and recommended significant program expansions and rate structure changes.

2022 Regulatory

Sarasota County Adopts Stormwater Ordinance Amendment (O2022-027SOS)

Sarasota County adopted Ordinance O2022-027SOS amending the Stormwater District ordinance, following the Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions Business Plan recommendations. This was the first update to stormwater assessment rates since 2009, though the increase was modest relative to the underfunding identified in the Wood report.

December 7, 2021 Political

BCC Pauses $31M ARPA Phillippi Creek Septic Replacement Program

BCC voted 5-0 to pause the Phillippi Creek Septic System Replacement Program ($31M ARPA/CLFRF) and remove South County Homeless Outreach facility ($3M). Board requested reallocation options for the $34M by January 2022.

October 14, 2021 Political

SEUAC: No dredging at Celery Fields, harvesting considered

Discussion about Celery Fields maintenance. Minutes note: No digging or dredging. Considering harvesting as opposed to traditional methods.

August 24, 2021 Neglect

BCC Withdraws Phillippi Creek Stream Restoration Project from SWFWMD

BCC approved withdrawal of the County's FY 2022 Cooperative Funding Initiative Project Application with SWFWMD for the Phillippi Creek Stream Restoration Project. Also terminated the FY 2020 Alligator Creek Stream Restoration agreement. Abandoning active creek improvement projects.

August 12, 2021 Political

SEUAC discusses Phillippi Creek restoration projects

SEUAC minutes mention Phillippi Creek NW Tributaries and Central Tributaries Natural System Restoration projects as CIP items.

March 10, 2020 Dredging

BCC Approves Matheny Creek Pre-Construction Dredging Work via WCIND

BCC adopted Resolution No. 2020-043, authorizing WCIND to complete pre-construction work for potential maintenance dredging in Matheny Creek, not to exceed $27,286. Joint Project Agreement Contract No. 2020-142.

2020 Regulatory

FEMA Updates Flood Maps for Phillippi Creek and Little Sarasota Bay

Updated FEMA flood maps became effective for areas around Little Sarasota Bay and Phillippi Creek, based on a preliminary coastal plan completed in 2016. These maps reflected updated flood risk assessments but did not account for the sediment accumulation that had been reducing the creek's capacity for decades.

November 5, 2019 Financial

BCC Approves Lyons Bay Dredging Project via WCIND — $463K

BCC adopted Resolution No. 2019-215, authorizing WCIND to expend Sarasota County Navigation Improvement Funds to construct the Lyons Bay Dredging Project, not to exceed $463,165. One of the few navigable waterway dredging projects approved during this period.

June 13, 2019 Political

First dredging request at SEUAC: Elligraw Bayou

Arthur Preece of Gulf Gate Woods attended SEUAC requesting Elligraw Bayou be dredged. Staff responded.

January 2019 Regulatory

Future Conditions Floodplain Analysis Completed for Sarasota County

Jones Edmunds & Associates completed a Future Conditions Floodplain Analysis for Sarasota County, modeling projected flood risks including in the Phillippi Creek watershed under future development and sea level rise scenarios. This study was part of the county's ongoing floodplain management planning.

January 2019 Regulatory

Dam Removal Feasibility Study Completed — Three Alternatives Recommended

The Phillippi Creek Barrier Removal Feasibility Study (Task 4 Final Report) was completed by WEC under Sarasota County Contract 2016-168, with cooperative funding from SWFWMD. The study analyzed three alternatives for removing the historic salinity gate/barrier located 3.6 miles upstream of the creek mouth: (1) full barrier removal with sediment removal, (2) barrier removal plus sediment sump construction, and (3) barrier removal plus planted littoral zone. The study confirmed the barrier was causing sediment accumulation upstream and downstream, degrading water quality, and restricting flow. ICPR modeling showed barrier removal would restore natural flow conditions.

2018 Neglect

Cowpen Slough Dike Breach Begins (Undetected)

An earthen berm separating Cow Pen Slough from the Phillippi Creek basin breaches. LIDAR data later confirms the breach existed since 2018. Brazilian peppers and woody plants grow in the gap, indicating years of neglect. The county has no inspection program that catches it.

September 2017 Regulatory

Walk the WBID Exercise Identifies Bacterial Hot Spots in Phillippi Creek

Sarasota County, FDEP, SWFWMD, and community stakeholders completed a Walk the WBID exercise for Phillippi Creek (WBID 1937), conducting field investigations and water quality testing at multiple sites along the creek. The study identified specific bacterial hot spots and sources of fecal coliform contamination, leading to follow-up actions including septic system replacements. Agency and public meetings were held in July and August 2016, with field work and TMDL testing conducted through early 2017.

2017 Regulatory

County and SWFWMD Begin Investigating Dam Removal Feasibility

Sarasota County, with cooperative funding from the Southwest Florida Water Management District, began investigating the feasibility of removing the Phillippi Creek barrier structure (dam). This study would lead to the 2019 Barrier Removal Feasibility Study recommending full removal.

March 2015 Regulatory

County Approves USF Water Atlas Contract, Updates on Phillippi Creek TMDL Efforts

Sarasota County Commission approved a contract with USF for the Water Atlas website. During the presentation, Environmental Manager John Ryan updated the board on TMDL restoration efforts in the county's waterways, including the septic system replacement project in the Phillippi Creek area aimed at reducing fecal coliform contamination that led to the creek's 1998 impairment listing.

April 2014 Dredging

Celery Fields Regional Stormwater Facility Phase 3 Completed

The Celery Fields Phase 3 expansion was completed, creating approximately 150 acres of upland, wetland, and open-water habitat with 80% of the surface area planted with 600,000 aquatic plants and trees. The facility provides regional stormwater detention for the upstream Phillippi Creek basin.

July 9, 2013 Political

SEUAC discusses Celery Fields Regional Stormwater Facility

Staff presented Celery Fields Regional Stormwater Facility operations to SEUAC, covering wet and dry season procedures.

2010 Regulatory

EPA Adopts Fecal Coliform TMDL for Phillippi Creek

An EPA Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) was adopted for fecal coliform bacteria in Phillippi Creek, establishing the maximum amount of pollutant the creek can receive while still meeting water quality standards. This followed the 1998 impairment listing and set enforceable limits on bacterial pollution, primarily driven by aging septic systems in the watershed.

2009 Neglect

Stormwater Assessment Rate Frozen — Never Updated Again

The stormwater maintenance and operations assessment rate was updated in 2009 and has not been adjusted since, despite rising costs, population growth, and increasing infrastructure needs. This rate freeze would persist for over 15 years through multiple storms and floods.

2008 Regulatory

WCIND Feasibility Study Confirms Creek Unchanged Since 1969

PBS&J completed the Phillippi Creek Tuttle-to-Hyde Park Feasibility Study for WCIND under the county's Navigable Waterways program. The study confirmed the main creek channel had remained 'virtually unchanged with little evidence of additional dredging' between 1969 and 2008. Review of aerial photos from 1948-1999 showed evidence of prior dredging but exact depths could not be determined. The study found approximately 50,750 cubic yards of sediment needed removal and proposed dredging to -4.0 feet MLW with 30-foot channel width — the same specifications being used in the 2025-2026 dredging project.

2005 Regulatory

Phillippi Creek Tuttle-to-Hyde Park Feasibility Study Commissioned

Under the Navigable Waterways Maintenance Management Program (Contract 2003-250), Sarasota County commissioned PBS&J to study the feasibility of restoring Phillippi Creek between Tuttle Avenue and Hyde Park. The study found extensive sediment accumulation and that the creek had not been maintained as originally designed.

August 2004 Flooding

2004 Hurricane Season — Sarasota Area Spared Major Flooding

Despite four hurricanes striking Florida in 2004 (Charley, Frances, Ivan, Jeanne), the Sarasota area was largely spared major flooding damage. Hurricane Charley's eye passed through nearby Charlotte County causing catastrophic damage to Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte, but Sarasota received only minor damage and peripheral effects. No significant Phillippi Creek flooding was documented during this season, meaning the creek's degrading condition remained unnoticed as a crisis.

2003 Regulatory

County Awards Contract for Navigable Waterways Maintenance Program

Sarasota County awarded Contract No. 2003-250 to PBS&J for engineering services related to the Navigable Waterways Maintenance Management Program. This contract would eventually produce the 2008 Phillippi Creek Tuttle-to-Hyde Park Feasibility Study. The WCIND had previously dredged other areas of Phillippi Creek to -4.0 feet below MLW, establishing the controlling depth for the waterway.

December 18, 2001 Regulatory

Navigable Waterways Ordinance Enacted (Article XXX)

Sarasota County enacts Navigable Waterways Maintenance Management Ordinance (Article XXX, Ord. 2001-099), creating an MSTU and petition-based program for navigational dredging funded by adjacent property owners. Focuses exclusively on boater navigation, not stormwater maintenance — later confirmed by former assistant county attorney Susan Schoettle-Gumm (July 2025).

December 13, 2001 Dredging

Phillippi Creek dredge: 20,000 yards moved, county approves $427K expansion

Project moving forward well. 20,000 yards of material moved to old Bee Ridge landfill. County approved contract amendment of $427,000 for dredging expansion. Estimated completion March 2002. Staff also pursuing permits for Phillippi Cove and America Drive.

December 1, 2000 Dredging

Phillippi Creek construction begins - Phase I oyster relocation expanded

Phillippi Creek construction project has begun. Phase I oyster relocation at mouth of creek expanded to include moving oyster cultch material. 198 yards moved so far for $50,000.

September 8, 2000 Dredging

WCIND pre-bid meeting for Phillippi Creek oyster relocation Phase I

Pre-bid meeting held for 500-yard oyster material relocation Phase I. Bid opening scheduled for September 20. Public meeting with area residents scheduled for September 25 to discuss all phases.

July 26, 2000 Regulatory

FDEP Issues Second Permit for WCIND Phillippi Creek Dredging

Florida Department of Environmental Protection issued Permit 58-01491733-002 to WCIND for maintenance dredging of 5,454 cubic yards of Phillippi Creek.

March 20, 2000 Dredging

First Pre-Construction Meeting for Phillippi Creek Dredging

The first pre-construction meeting for Phillippi Creek dredging was held on March 20, 2000. As reported at the March 17 WCIND board meeting, Sarasota County requested that WCIND perform the dredging operations on behalf of the county.

January 21, 2000 Regulatory

WCIND Reports All Phillippi Creek Dredging Permits Secured

At the January 21, 2000 WCIND board meeting, Executive Director Listowski reported that all permits had been secured for Phillippi Creek dredging. Commissioner Patterson complimented Listowski on obtaining permits 'which the county said couldn't be done or would take many years.' Shakett Creek dredging was reported to be completing by end of February. WCIND wrote to Sarasota County asking for direction on next steps. The Coast Guard also agreed to move a channel marker at the mouth of Phillippi Creek to realign the waterway to deeper water.

January 6, 2000 Regulatory

Army Corps Issues Permit for WCIND Phillippi Creek Dredging

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued Permit 199900648/199900532 to WCIND for maintenance dredging of 6,764 cubic yards of Phillippi Creek to -4.0 feet below Mean Low Water, the established controlling depth.

2000 Dredging

Limited Maintenance Dredging of Phillippi Creek (Lower Section)

Between approximately 1998-2002, WCIND conducted the only post-1977 maintenance dredging of Phillippi Creek, dredging to -4.0 feet below mean low water (the established controlling depth) east of the US-41 overpass. A resident later wrote that 'the creek has silted in dramatically since it was last dredged in 2000.' Per aerial imagery analysis by Cummins Cederberg, this was the ONLY maintenance dredging performed on the creek since the original 1969-1977 dredging campaign. No dredging has been performed in this section since.

December 30, 1999 Regulatory

FDEP Issues Permit for WCIND Phillippi Creek Dredging

Florida Department of Environmental Protection issued Permit 58-01511523-001 to WCIND for maintenance dredging of Phillippi Creek. The permit authorized removal of 3,964 cubic yards upstream of the US-41 overpass and 2,800 cubic yards downstream.

1999 Regulatory

County Adopts Stormwater Maintenance Plan

Sarasota County adopted a stormwater maintenance plan that included responsibility for maintaining canals, streams, and rivers as part of the stormwater system. Environmental attorney Justin Bloom later reviewed this plan and the 2022 ordinance, concluding the county had undertaken responsibility 'to maintain a stormwater system for health and safety' — a responsibility funded by taxpayers that went largely unfulfilled.

November 1998 Regulatory

Phillippi Creek Listed as Impaired for Fecal Coliform Bacteria

Phillippi Creek (WBID 1937) was verified impaired for fecal coliform bacteria by the Florida DEP and included on the 1998 303(d) list of impaired waters under the federal Clean Water Act. This listing triggered requirements for a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study and Basin Management Action Plan, initiating decades of water quality monitoring and septic system replacement programs in the watershed.

November 1997 Flooding

November 1997 Flooding — 10 Inches in 30 Hours

Parts of the Phillippi Creek watershed were again inundated by flooding when 10 inches of rain fell over a period of 30 hours. This was the first significant flood since the 1992 event that prompted the Celery Fields purchase, and demonstrated that the stormwater improvements to date were insufficient.

1997 Regulatory

WCIND and FDEP Discuss Waterway Management Methodology

The West Coast Inland Navigation District met with FDEP Deputy Secretaries to discuss the state's adoption of a regional waterway management methodology. FDEP signed a Memorandum of Agreement at the meeting. About 70% of shoal segments in Phillippi Creek were found to be less than 1.0 foot deep.

October 1996 Regulatory

Kimes Report Documents Sewer Pollution in Phillippi Creek

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection produced a report on domestic wastewater facility regulation activities in the vicinity of Phillippi Creek, documenting pollution from sewer plants and septic systems affecting the creek's water quality.

January 29, 1996 Political

County Considers Taking on Canal Dredging Responsibility

Sarasota County commissioners considered whether the county should take on responsibility for canal dredging. Natural Resources Director Gary Comp reviewed the pros and cons in a detailed report to the board.

1996 Dredging

County Stormwater Infrastructure Designed Based on 1996 Climate Projections

Sarasota County's stormwater infrastructure was designed based on climate projections from 1996, with systems never designed to exceed more than 10 inches of rain. This design basis would prove catastrophically inadequate when Tropical Storm Debby brought nearly 18 inches of rain in 2024. The infrastructure was never updated to account for changing rainfall patterns or increased development in the watershed.

1995 Regulatory

Florida Replaces Dredge-and-Fill Permits with Environmental Resource Permits

Florida phased out its separate dredge-and-fill permit program (Chapter 62-312) by combining it with the water management districts' management and storage of surface water (MSSW) program, creating the new Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) program under Part IV of Chapter 373 of the Florida Statutes. This added another layer of permitting complexity for any future dredging of Phillippi Creek, requiring coordination between FDEP, SWFWMD, and USACE.

July 12, 1994 Regulatory

Stormwater District Ordinance Enacted (Article IX)

Sarasota County enacts Stormwater District ordinance (Article IX, Ord. 94-066), establishing the Stormwater Environmental Utility with explicit responsibility to 'construct, acquire, treat, and maintain stormwater management improvements' including 'conveyance systems' — the legal basis for county maintenance of waterways like Phillippi Creek. Section 110-311 defines the SEU's mandate.

1993 Financial

County Purchases Celery Fields for Flood Protection

Following the devastating 1992 floods, Sarasota County purchased the Celery Fields at the headwaters of Phillippi Creek for flood protection. The acquisition removed more than 200 homes from an active floodplain and established a regional stormwater facility.

June 1992 Flooding

Major Flood Leads to Celery Fields Project

Severe flooding in June 1992 inundated the Phillippi Creek basin, including the celery fields area south of Fruitville Road. This flood event catalyzed the creation of the Celery Fields Regional Stormwater Facility, the county's largest flood control project in the basin.

1992 Dredging

Earthen Levee Built and Creek Widened After 1992 Flooding

In the aftermath of the devastating 1992 floods, an earthen levee was built along Phillippi Creek between Bahia Vista Street and Locklear Avenue. The creek was also widened to a 20-foot bottom width in this section as part of emergency flood mitigation efforts.

1991 Financial

Sarasota County Establishes Stormwater Environmental Utility

Sarasota County created the Stormwater Environmental Utility (SEU) under Florida Statute Chapter 403.0893, establishing a dedicated funding mechanism for stormwater management through non-ad valorem assessments on property. The SEU was created specifically to manage rainfall flooding and stormwater quality.

1987 Regulatory

Stormwater Master Plan Completed

Camp Dresser & McKee completed the comprehensive 342-page Stormwater Master Plan for Sarasota County. The plan assessed stormwater systems, identified inadequacies, and recommended improvements including a revised stormwater utility fee structure and capital improvement projects. It recommended construction projects funded through the County's Capital Improvement Program.

October 1984 Regulatory

Sarasota County Commissions Stormwater Master Plan

The Sarasota County Commission and Transportation Department authorized Camp Dresser & McKee Inc. (CDM) to prepare a comprehensive Stormwater Master Plan. The plan was commissioned to assess the county's stormwater management needs and develop solutions for the 32 identified drainage basins.

1977 Dredging

Final Dredging Operation on Phillippi Creek

A second round of dredging was conducted in the Bahia Vista area of Phillippi Creek. This was the last dredging operation of any kind on the creek. Within a few years, dredging 'kind of stopped' entirely — a shift driven by the regulatory burden of the Clean Water Act's Section 404 permitting requirements and declining local government appetite for the process.

October 18, 1972 Regulatory

Clean Water Act Signed Into Law

The Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 (Clean Water Act) were enacted over President Nixon's veto. Section 404 established federal permitting requirements for dredge-and-fill operations in navigable waters, placing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as gatekeeper for any dredging activity. This fundamentally changed the calculus for local governments like Sarasota County, making routine waterway maintenance significantly more complex and expensive to undertake.

1972 Dredging

Bahia Vista Dredging Operations

Dredging operations were conducted in the Bahia Vista area of Phillippi Creek. This work was limited to the downstream tidal portion of the creek near Bahia Vista Street, not the main upstream channel which had already seen its last dredging in 1969.

1970 Regulatory

Florida Imposes Moratorium on Dredging Permits

The State of Florida imposed a moratorium on dredging permits, effectively halting all new dredging activity in state waters. As confirmed by a June 1971 Sarasota Herald-Tribune article, the state 'has a moratorium on dredging permits, and has indicated no date for lifting such a ban.' This moratorium, combined with the Clean Water Act of 1972 and new federal Section 404 permitting requirements, created a regulatory environment that made resuming maintenance dredging of Phillippi Creek extremely difficult. The last pre-moratorium dredging occurred in 1969.

1969 Dredging

Last Known Dredging of Main Phillippi Creek Channel

The main upstream channel of Phillippi Creek was dredged for the last time. While limited dredging continued in the downstream Bahia Vista area through the 1970s, the main channel would remain virtually unchanged for 55+ years. Sediment accumulated steadily, creating sand bars and shallow areas throughout the creek.

1968 Dredging

US-41 Cut-Through Project Completed

The county completed a cut-through project at U.S. 41 on Phillippi Creek, altering the creek's flow at this major roadway crossing. An adjacent canal within the project area was excavated from uplands prior to 1968.

June 1966 Regulatory

Phillippi Creek Drainage Basin Water Quality Survey Initiated

The Florida State Board of Health initiated a survey of the Phillippi Creek Drainage Basin following the ManaSota 88 Conference held in Sarasota. The survey was driven by concern over water quality in the basin.

1963 Regulatory

Army Corps Completes Phillippi Creek Flood Control Report

The District Engineer completed a comprehensive report on flood control for Phillippi Creek basin, proposing improvements to 15 miles of creek and tributary channels, seven water control structures, inlet structures, and modification of 18 bridges. Total project cost was estimated at $7,854,800 with federal participation of $4,595,600.

September 19, 1962 Flooding

Most Damaging Flood on Record Strikes Phillippi Creek Basin

A low-pressure cell from the Gulf of Mexico caused over 16 inches of rain in 48 hours over the Phillippi Creek Basin on September 19-21, 1962. This was the most damaging flood on record at that time. The Army Corps of Engineers conducted a reconnaissance of the affected area September 21-25.

1962 Dredging

Phillippi Creek Dam Converted to Uncontrolled Low Weir

Sarasota County converted the dam on Phillippi Creek (located between Tuttle Avenue and Webber Street) to an uncontrolled low weir. The structure, originally permitted in 1931, would remain in this configuration for decades, acting as a sediment trap and impeding tidal flow.

July 14, 1961 Dredging

Dredging at Mouth of Phillippi Creek

Edison Shell Co. conducted dredging operations at the mouth of Phillippi Creek under a contract with the county for shell removal. Boating enthusiasts hoped the operation would improve navigation and lead to widening and deepening upstream.

1961 Dredging

Cowpen Slough Watershed Project Designed Under PL-566

The Sarasota West Coast Watershed Project (also known as the Cowpen Slough Project) was originally designed in 1961 under federal Public Law 566. The project included plans to install pumps to move Celery Fields water east to Cowpen Slough, and the construction of drainage canals and a dike (berm) separating the Cowpen Slough and Phillippi Creek watersheds. The agricultural berm between the two watersheds was built for water management purposes and would remain in place for nearly 100 years without regular maintenance or inspection.

Invalid Date Dredging

Drainage Canals Constructed in Cowpen Slough, Dramatically Altering Watershed

Drainage canals were constructed in Cowpen Slough during the 1960s as part of the Sarasota West Coast Watershed Project, dramatically altering the watershed and hydrology of the area south of Phillippi Creek. The project included a dike/berm separating the Phillippi Creek and Cowpen Slough watersheds, which would later fail undetected around 2018, contributing to catastrophic flooding during Tropical Storm Debby in 2024.

September 1960 Flooding

Hurricane Donna Causes Severe Flooding

The summer of 1960 was one of the wettest on record in Florida. Hurricane Donna passed over central Florida on September 10-11, contributing to a 10-week rainfall period of about 39 inches in the Phillippi Creek Basin. Total estimated damages exceeded $1,000,000.

July 14, 1960 Regulatory

Flood Control Act of 1960 Authorizes Phillippi Creek Study

Congress passed the Flood Control Act of 1960 (Section 208), which authorized the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a survey and report on flood control for Phillippi Creek. This was in response to recurring devastating floods in the basin.

September 16, 1959 Flooding

Widespread Flooding Forces Evacuation of 30 Homes Along Phillippi Creek

Above-normal rainfall throughout the year culminated in heavy rainfall on September 16, causing widespread flooding in both agricultural and urban areas. About 30 homes along Phillippi Creek were evacuated and approximately 250 others sustained flood damage. Practically all farmlands in the basin were inundated for 1 to 3 days. Estimated frequency: once in 10 years.

1959 Dredging

South Gate Area Dredging

Dredging operations conducted in the South Gate subdivision area of Phillippi Creek, as documented in historic records. The South Gate area had been developed on former Palmer family citrus groves with drainage infrastructure dating back to 1918.

March 1958 Flooding

Major Flood in Phillippi Creek Basin

March 1958 was one of the wettest months on record in the Phillippi Creek Basin. Heavy rainfall on an already saturated area resulted in damaging floods, causing extensive damage to roads, bridges, and public facilities. Estimated frequency was a 10-year flood event.

1956 Dredging

South Gate Subdivision Dredges Jaffa and Mineola Islands

The South Gate development dredged Phillippi Creek to create the Jaffa and Mineola island subdivisions, with oxbow canals carved out of the creek corridor. This was part of the rapid postwar suburban expansion along the creek, documented extensively in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune with photos of the dredging in progress and the Jaffa Bridge under construction.

1948 Dredging

Aerial Photos Show Early Channelization of Phillippi Creek

The 1948 aerial photograph depicts early channelization of Phillippi Creek and shows a salinity barrier originally constructed for agricultural purposes near what is now Tuttle Avenue. This concrete structure restricted navigability and remains partially intact today.

1940 Political

Creek-Front Land Sold for Residential Development

Throughout the 1940s, many acres of creek-front property were put up for sale and sold specifically for residential development. This marked the transition of the Phillippi Creek corridor from agricultural drainage infrastructure to a suburban waterway surrounded by homes — homes that would bear the consequences of future flooding and neglect.

July 15, 1932 Regulatory

Engineer Explains the Phillippi Creek Water Control System

The Sarasota Herald published a detailed explanation of the Palmer Farms water control system on Phillippi Creek, providing a comprehensive overview of the engineered drainage infrastructure that had been built over the previous decade.

1931 Dredging

Dam Permitted in Front of South Gate on Phillippi Creek

The Army Corps of Engineers in Jacksonville permitted the construction of a dam on Phillippi Creek in front of what would become the South Gate subdivision. Dissenters to the dam included the same homeowners who had complained about the Tamiami Trail bridge in 1927, establishing a pattern of resident opposition to creek modifications that continues to this day.

1927 Political

Tamiami Trail Bridge Permit Sparks First Citizen Complaints About Flooding

Army Corps Permit 568 was issued for a new bridge over Phillippi Creek at Tamiami Trail. Approximately 30 homeowners, calling themselves the Phillippi River Association, formally complained that the new bridge design would create a flooding hazard by effectively damming the mouth of the creek. They also cited the failure to dredge downstream of Bee Ridge during the 1926 work. The bridge was completed June 25, 1928. These complaints read as if they could have been written today.

October 15, 1926 Flooding

Sarasota Herald Publishes Army Corps Warning About Creek Flooding

Lt. Col. Mark Brooke of the Army Corps of Engineers wrote a letter published in the Sarasota Herald warning that Phillippi Creek would flood during heavy rainfall and fill with silt unless dredged. The letter referenced a September 1926 hurricane that caused water 8-10 feet above normal, and a federal dredging permit. This article was rediscovered by resident Nadia Bowen in 2025.

September 1926 Flooding

Phillippi Creek Floods After First Dredging

Just months after the Fruitville Drainage District dredged the creek under Permit #1725, Phillippi Creek flooded in September 1926. Lt. Col. Mark Brooke of the Army Corps reported water 8 to 10 feet above normal from September 19-21, despite rainfall that 'was not excessive,' indicating sediment buildup was already restricting flow. He warned that 'during each period of heavy rainfall the lower reaches of Phillippi Creek will be flooded.'

March 10, 1926 Dredging

Army Corps Issues Permit #1725 for Phillippi Creek Dredging

The Fruitville Drainage District received Army Corps of Engineers Permit Number 1725, authorizing the dredging of Phillippi Creek. The creek was dredged, but critically only north of Bee Ridge Road. Sediment from the dredging upstream clogged the lower creek — a problem that would echo for the next century. That same year in September, the creek flooded.

1924 Dredging

Palmer Corporation Awards $1M Contract to Canalize Phillippi Creek

The Canal Construction Company of Memphis was awarded the contract by the Palmer Corporation and landowners in the Fruitville Drainage District to canalize Phillippi Creek. The estimated cost was $790,000–$1,000,000 (approximately $14–18 million in today's dollars). This was the largest single investment in the creek's history and created the engineered channel that exists today.

1923 Dredging

Fruitville Drainage District Designs Phillippi Creek as Engineered Waterway

Phillippi Creek, once a natural creek, was redesigned by the Fruitville Drainage District (encompassing parts of the older Hyde Park Drainage District) from Bee Ridge Road north to reclaim land for agriculture. Arcadia engineer J.G. Kimmel of Cravens and Kimmel Engineering Firm designed the system. The Palmer Corporation purchased ten thousand acres for development, setting the stage for the creek's transformation.

Invalid Date Dredging

Agricultural Berm Built Between Cowpen Slough and Phillippi Creek

An agricultural berm was constructed between Cowpen Slough and Phillippi Creek, running south of Fruitville Road to Bee Ridge Road, for agricultural water management purposes. According to Sarasota County, this structure has been in place for nearly 100 years without regular maintenance or inspection. The berm served to separate the two watersheds, preventing Cowpen Slough water from flowing into the Phillippi Creek basin. Its eventual undetected breach around 2018 would contribute to catastrophic flooding during Tropical Storm Debby in 2024.

1920 Dredging

Early Dredging and Canalization of Phillippi Creek Begins

Dredging activity was initiated in the 1920s to provide drainage for agricultural lands in the Phillippi Creek basin. The creek was transformed from a shallow, low-gradient meandering stream into a channelized waterway. This fundamentally altered the creek's hydrology.

1918 Dredging

Palmer Family Establishes Hyde Park Drainage District

The Palmer family started citrus groves in what is now the South Gate subdivision and established the Hyde Park Drainage District to provide drainage needed for agriculture. This district extended from Bee Ridge Road to Bahia Vista and west of the creek, laying the groundwork for the canalization of Phillippi Creek.

October 24, 1912 Dredging

Early Dredging at Mouth of Phillippi Creek

The Tampa Times reported on dredging activity at the mouth of Phillippi Creek, one of the earliest documented dredging operations on the waterway. This predates the major canalization efforts of the 1920s.

March 3, 1899 Regulatory

Rivers and Harbors Act Establishes Federal Control Over Navigable Waters

The Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act of 1899 was signed into law, with Section 10 prohibiting any obstruction or alteration of navigable waters without a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Because portions of Phillippi Creek are tidally influenced, this act gave the federal government jurisdiction over work in the lower creek — a legal reality that persists to this day and adds a second layer of federal permitting (Section 10) on top of the Clean Water Act's Section 404 requirements.

1886 Dredging

First Documented Modification of Phillippi Creek

The Florida Mortgage and Investment Company drained 500 acres of sawgrass east of Sarasota by digging a 3,000-foot ditch to 'Phillip's Creek' and widening/deepening the creek approximately 4,000 feet. Engineer J.F. LeBaron documented this for the Southern Society of Civil Engineers, describing the creek as 'five miles long in a direct line' emptying into Little Sarasota Bay. This is the earliest known engineered modification of Phillippi Creek, predating the Palmer/Fruitville drainage by nearly four decades.

🔄 The Pattern

For 100 years, the same cycle has repeated:

  1. Creek silts up, flooding occurs
  2. Residents complain, commissioners promise action
  3. Studies commissioned, reports written
  4. Bureaucratic shuffle between departments
  5. Minimal work done, attention fades
  6. Repeat

Every entry below is sourced from public records. Click "View Sources" on any card to see the evidence.

Break the Cycle

The facts are documented. The sources are cited. The pattern is clear.
Now it's up to us to make sure it doesn't repeat.