Indian River Lagoon Update

Clay HendersonStetson University

Indian River LagoonEstuary of National Significance

156 miles along Florida east coastMartin County to Volusia County

Most biologically diverse estuary in North America

What We Know…

3 Waterbodies

Mosquito River

Banana River

Indian River

Narrow/Shallow

Poorly Flushed (5 inlets)

5 Counties

2 WMD’s

Tropical and

Temperate

10/25/20164

All of the Indian River Lagoon is now

Deemed impaired underThe Clean Water Act

Mostly nutrientsTP, TN, Chlorophylla

Fecal coliform

Marine Resources Council 2018 Health Assessment

Much of Martin County Segment of IRL Poor

2011-2013 Perfect Storm

Algae super bloom

Brown Algae in 2013

Returned 2015-16Returned again 2018

LandSat 2016

Photo: Florida Today

Photo: Tim Kozusko. Haulover Canal,

Indian River Lagoon. August 2012

Chronic Impacts

“Perfect Storm”

2013

250 manatee deaths

200 dolphin deaths

250 pelican deaths

Loss of 47,000 acres of seagrass

Photo:Brevard Times2016 Fish Kill Brevard County2018 new algae bloom2018 Red TideWelcome to the new normal

September 18, 2018Landsat Photo

Photo: Jacqui Thurlow-Lippish

St. Lucie InletDischarge from Lake Okeechobee

1987 Surface Water Improvement Management SWIM1990 Estuary of National Significance1990 Indian River Lagoon Act

Indian River LagoonNational Estuary Program

Much collaboration in early days

Scientific symposia

Collaborative Research

Comprehensive Plan

Early wins

Indian River Lagoon System and Basin Act of 1990 - This Act, which is contained in Chapter 90-262, Laws of Florida, was created to help protect the Indian River Lagoon System from discharges from package wastewater treatment plants and the improper use of septic tanks. The Act established three objectives for domestic wastewater facilities in this area:

•Elimination of surface water discharges,•Investigation of feasibility of reuse, and•Centralization of wastewater collection and treatment facilities.

Indian River Lagoon Council 2015IRL NEP Reorganization

• SJRWMD served as sponsor/host entity for 24 years.

• 2011-2013 Events Drove Focus on IRL Water Quality.

• IRL County Collaborative (2013).

• IRL Council creates new Florida Special District

through Interlocal Agreement (February 2015).

• Today – IRL Council working to transition the IRL

NEP Program

Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program Proposed IRL-NEP Management Conference Structure

IRL CouncilBoard of Directors

Finance

Advisory

Committee (8)

STEM

Advisory

Committee (24)

Citizens

Advisory

Committee (24)

Management

Board (27)

Science

Community At

Large General

Community At

Large

Outside of the Sunshine LawFact Finding &

Knowledge Gathering Only

The IRL Council and Its appointed boards and committees operates in

Compliance with Sunshine Law

IRL Investor

Task Force

(#)

IRL Council/NEP Staff interact as administrative support at all levels

of Management Conference

Comprehensive RestorationPlan for Indian River LagoonTo be transmitted to EPAby December 14th

http://www.irlcouncil.com/ccmp-comments.htmlComments due November 30th.

Fundamental ProblemsLake Okeechobee Discharge250,000 Septic TanksWatershed twice historic sizeChanged HydrologyWastewater DischargeFertilizer Over-Use

Multiple Stressors – Multiple Symptoms

• Habitat destruction, fragmentation & alteration

• Altered watershed functions

• Sediment Loads• Nutrient & Toxicant Loads• Litter & debris• Invasive exotic species• Over Exploitation• Global climate change• Sea-level rise

• Water quality decline• Algal blooms• Seagrass loss• Biological diversity

decline• Fisheries decline• Emerging diseases

Comprehensive ConservationManagement Plan

Policy• Wastewater• Septic Tanks

Science

Education

Funding

Science Matters

Personal Responsibility

Water Conservation

Energy Conservation

Better use of Fertilizers

Landscaping

Septic Tanks

Education

FUNDING

Brevard County Save Our Lagoon

Stable Funding throughAmendment 1:HB 339 Rep. Gayle Harrell

Full funding forNational Estuary Program

Brevard County Leadership

Passed

$300 million project planApproved by voters 2016

Advanced Septic Tank OrdinanceAdopted 2018

Fertilizer Ordinances

What’s At

Risk?

• Indian River Lagoon economic value estimated at $7.6 B (IRL-NEP).

• In 2010, FL coastal counties contributed over $580 B in gross regional product to FL (79% of Florida’s Economy) (FOA, 2013).

Plan for Restoration of the Indian River Lagoon• Need for more water storage from Lake Okeechobee• Need for ongoing program to eliminate septic tanks• Wastewater Plant Upgrades…Advanced Wastewater Treatment• More Water Reuse/Less Fertilizer• Stormwater Retrofits• Muck Removal• More Science• Dedicated Restoration Funding

Nathaniel Reed 1933-2018