Anna Maria Island organization to host talk on protecting island's shoreline

HOLMES BEACH -- An organization on Anna Maria Island will host a program Saturday centered on protecting the island's shoreline.

Nancy Deal, a Holmes Beach resident and member of Save Anna Maria Inc., or SAM, said the talk will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 6608 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. SAM, which has been around since the early 1990s but only recently became active again, aims to protect the characteristic and environment of the 7-mile barrier island.

"The talk is about protecting our shorelines and by that, I mean Sarasota Bay, Anna Maria Sound and what over-development is doing to them," the 67-year-old Deal said. "This is what my grandchildren call home. Because they've moved around so much, this is what they consider home and this is what I want to leave my grandchildren... the environment on this island, the quality of life and the ecology. The ecology is forever and we're destroying it."

Justin Bloom, executive director of Suncoast Waterkeeper, is expected to speak at the event about proposed development in the area and beach renourishment. Part of a worldwide movement, Suncoast Waterkeeper aims to protect and restore the Florida coast's waterways through enforcement, fieldwork, advocacy and environmental education for the benefit of the communities that rely on coastal resources, according to its website.

"The biggest threat would probably have to be with waterfront development and its impact on coastal habitat," Bloom said when asked about threats to the shoreline. "The main impact is the destruction of mangroves so that's why waterfront development is probably the biggest threat."

The biggest threat to water quality, he added, comes from stormwater runoff.

"I think it's a good opportunity," Bloom said about speaking to the public Saturday. "I think, generally, people that live out on the island are really sensitive and aware of environmental issues and so I think it's a good opportunity to talk about these issues with people that really care."

SAM president Ursula Stemm said she has been hearing concerns about development approved by the Manatee County Commission from locals in Cortez, Bradenton and Anna Maria Island. The 56-year-old Realtor also brought up the volume of cars she said will surely follow to the island.

"We only have one lane in and one lane out, and we're very concerned about the gridlock that's created," she said. "We felt like we needed to voice our concerns."

Amaris Castillo, law enforcement/island reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7051. Follow her on Twitter@AmarisCastillo.

This story was originally published March 25, 2016 at 5:52 PM with the headline "Anna Maria Island organization to host talk on protecting island's shoreline ."