Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key can do better on stormwater drainage

Many years ago, I went before the Manatee Planning Department (MPD) to suggest a separate light be placed below the present traffic lights at 75th Street North and Manatee Avenue West and Cortez Road to alert drivers if a bridge to the island is closed to then use the other bridge. These lights can also be used if for some reason extra — traffic on the island is in peril, such as flooding, etc.

With the drainage problem the island is having, I believe they should investigate the “Clapper system.” I understand Longboat Key and Anna Maria tried their own version of it and it didn’t work. Why? Because they didn’t place the drains far enough out into the bay, nor did they have pumping stations. After all, all of England and Nova Scotia use it, so it must be effective.

This story was originally published September 22, 2016 at 7:29 AM with the headline "Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key can do better on stormwater drainage."