F.I.S.H. signs on for Long Bar Pointe fight, mitigation appeal

The Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage recently voted 14-1 to oppose a second attempt from Long Bar Pointe LLLP to operate a 260-acre wetland mitigation bank on Sarasota Bay along a 2-mile stretch of pristine shoreline southeast of Cortez.

Next to the submerged mitigation site of mostly mangroves and seagrasses, the same developers are planning a large-scale, mixed-use development, Aqua By the Bay, which is under review by Manatee County planners.

Vice president Jane von Hahmann asked the FISH board Jan. 2 to “discuss and decide” whether it wants to join former Manatee County Commissioner Joe McClash and Suncoast Waterkeeper Inc. — as it previously had done — to fight against the developer’s state mitigation permit.

Member John Stevely said he favored the appeal to battle dangerous precedents.

Member Rose Lipke moved to authorize FISH to join McClash and Suncoast and file for a formal administrative hearing. It was seconded by Stevely.