Stormwater boss says the state has given green light.
By Ramon Lopez
Original Air Date: October 15, 2025
Host: After Phillippi Creek flooded many homes during last year’s storm season, it looks like dredging will soon be underway. Ramon Lopez has the details.
Ramon Lopez: Last week, Stormwater Director Ben Quartermaine told the Sarasota County commissioners that he has received a go-ahead from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for the county’s much-awaited major Phillippi Creek dredging project.
Photo courtesy of Sarasota County
The stormwater czar added that he was awaiting a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “Suffice it to say, within the next four to six weeks, we should be seeing dirt turning in the dredge portion,” Quartermaine told the commissioners.
Since then, WUSF has reported that the county has received the federal permit to start the dredging. Word came from Sarasota County Watershed Planning Manager John Morgan in an email sent to affected residents who were flooded by Hurricane Debby in 2024.
Meanwhile, Quartermaine is reevaluating capital projects priorities at the board’s direction. Field maintenance by Sarasota County crews and contractors is ongoing. And a Sediment and Abatement Program will identify areas that may need sediment removal or future dredging. We hear from the county stormwater boss.
Ben Quartermaine. Photo by Ramon Lopez
Ben Quartermaine: We’re looking at all of our tidal creeks and canals throughout the county to ensure that any dredging and sediment removal that’s required is happening. Staff and contractors are working to identify those areas and are working towards removing the sediment in those areas. We’re working in the tidal creeks, we’re working in the canals, we’re working in the roadside ditches to ensure that the system is functioning well and efficiently moving into the stormwater season.
RL: This is Ramon Lopez for WSLR News.
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