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Dredging awaits county promise
By JENNIFER FARRELL, Times Staff Writer HERNANDO BEACH -- Before making a final recommendation for its $4.8-million plan to dredge the Hernando Beach channel, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wants a letter of support from the county and a promise it can help foot the bill. But a proposal to help mitigate sea grass losses caused by the project could drive the price higher. And the hurdle appears to be a controversial plan to build a beach on the spoil islands around Coon Key. During a long-term feasibility study, corps officials examined using sand taken from the channel to build a beach on Coon Key and to raise the bottom of a former mining pit at the Weekiwachee Preserve. But both plans drew criticism from environmentalists. Pat Fagan, county director of parks and recreation, said the corps dropped both ideas, deciding instead to replenish Coon Key with plants for possible use as a bird sanctuary. Problem is, the 156 acres that make up the spoil islands are owned by Hernando Beach developer Charles Sasser. At one time, county officials said Sasser was willing to donate the land, but only if they promised to turn it into a beach. When corps officials proposed using the land to mitigate sea grass losses, the county approached Sasser, asking if he would sell and for how much. The answer came as a shock. According to Fagan, Sasser's asking price $5,000 an acre, or, $780,000. "The problem with that is the Property Appraiser's Office says it's worth $45 an acre," said Fagan. "I almost fainted when I saw (Sasser's) letter." Jim Tomlinson, former vice chairman of the Port Authority who has been acting as the county's liaison to the dredge project, said Sasser wants 15 to 30 acres developed as a beach and the rest left alone. Sasser did not return a call for comment. Tomlinson, who backs the beach plan, called the appraisal of $45 an acre "a joke." "I'm sure that his taxes cost more than that," Tomlinson said. "Show me a place in the state that sells land for $45 an acre, and I'll have people lined up." But Fagan said that's all the wetlands are worth, adding he would not recommend the county spend $780,000 on the property. "It can't be used for anything special. If it was buildable land, then I could understand it." Under consideration since 1997, the dredge project has taken shape during the feasibility study, which looked at several configurations for the channel and options for the spoils. The latest plan calls for a channel 13,500 feet long, 6 feet deep and 85 feet wide. Most of the 300,000 cubic yards of spoils would be used to augment Hernando County's artificial reef program. The large rocks that have long plagued commercial fishermen and recreational boaters would be excavated and taken to the Gulf of Mexico, where they would be dropped to the bottom at Bendickson reef, about 15 miles offshore. Fagan said he expects the corps to release a detailed cost breakdown and description of the project soon. Hernando County is responsible for 20 percent of the dredge cost, or, roughly $960,000. According to a letter the corps sent county officials last week, the county must put up at least half its share at the start of construction, with the rest payable over 30 years. Depending on fluctuation in construction prices, the actual cost could change, according to county and corps officials. Fagan said it remains to be seen whether Coon Key is the only place the corps has identified to mitigate sea grass losses. "I don't know if it's going to be a big deal or not," he said. "This is the only piece of property that they mentioned." -- Jennifer Farrell covers Spring Hill and can be reached at 848-1432. Send e-mail to farrell@sptimes.com.
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