NAPLES, Fla. - "Oh it was magnificent," said Dick Portillo.

Dick Portillo has fond memories of Clam Pass. The seasonal resident has owned a condo on the water for the past 20 years. But Mother Nature has turned the pass into a sandy pit. He said he's so frustrated, he's offered to fix it himself.

"Can I hire some excavating people? And I'll pay for it to dig it out," said Portillo.

Commissioner Georgia Hiller, whose district includes Clam Pass, said the previous ten year permit expired. The county has received a permit from the state to re-dredge the area. All it needs is the okay from the Army Corps of Engineers.

"They might grant us an emergency permit or they may issue a long term permit on an emergency accelerated schedule I don't care which way they give it to us, i just want it so we can get it done," said Hiller..

Hiller said it could be weeks, even months, before their decision is made. But Portillo believes time is running out.

"The mangroves are dying the water is the worst I've seen in 20 years. They can drag their feet all the want to, it's about time somebody takes some serious moves and makes something happen here," said Portillo.