WENGNews writes, "STATE REGULATORS HAVE ORDERED BEACH RESTORATION INCORPORATED TO REMOVE SIX SAND FILLED TUBES ON STUMP PASS AFTER THEY DETERMINED THAT BEACH EROSION IN THE AREA HAS ACTUALLY INCREASED SINCE THE START OF AN EXPERIMENTAL CONTROL PROJECT. THE TUBES, WHICH WERE PLACED AT THE SOUTHERN END OF MANASOTA KEY BEACH, HAVE KEPT SOME SAND OUT OF STUMP PASS, BUT IT HAS INCREASED THE EROSION NEAR WHERE SHOREBIRDS NEST, AND IN SOME AREAS, THE WATER CASCADES AGAINST PALM TREES AND SEA GRAPES. THE PROJECT WAS COMPLETED IN APRIL OF 2006 AND WAS SUPPOSED TO LAST FOR THREE YEARS, BUT LAST JUNE THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION NOTIFIED CHARLOTTE COUNTY THAT THE PROJECT WAS FAILING AND CORRECTING THREE TUBES THAT WERE NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY WOULD NOT HELP THE SITUATION. STUMP PASS ALLOWS ACCESS FROM LEMON BAY DIRECTLY INTO THE GULF OF MEXICO, AND IS THE ONLY ACCESS POINT BETWEEN PLACIDA HARBOR AND VENICE."
