Residents in southern Pinellas County are worried about the Shell Key Nature Preserve.
A meeting was held Monday night to discuss the issue.
Residents said the northern channel is clogged with sand which is blocking recreational access, killing sea grass and allowing wild animals to cross the new "sand bridge" to prey on turtles and birds.
"Personally, I'd like to see it go back to an island," Bruno Falkenstein said. "I'd like to see where it's not breached and maybe, just maybe, that coyote that keeps getting into my turtle nest won't get into it anymore."
Residents fear the problems could affect their property values and way of life.
"It's not just about Shell Island preservation, it's about the impact to residents and businesses," said Katie Spies.
There are several theories about what's causing the blocked channel. Some people think it could be sand coming from other beach re-nourishment projects. Others said it's simply a natural process.
Either way, Peter Clark of the group Tampa Bay Watch, said he wants to focus on finding solutions.
"Ideally what we would like to see the Army Corps of Engineers do is the next time they need beach sand to re-nourish the beaches to the north, they can come down here and take it from the Shell Key Pass area," said Clark.
Some residents don't want to wait. They said if the government won't take action soon, they may just grab shovels and try to remove the sand themselves.
Pinellas County plans to do a study on the area next year.