Indian River Lagoon Coalition

“A C ll t A ti ”“A Call to Action”

R b t Vi t iRobert Virnstein

Science Management Politics Lagoon Remediation

For Lagoon Remediation?

Indian R.!yer~Laqoon eoalltl on " A Call t:o Actionu

Our Indian River Lagoon is on life support. dyJng bef'ore our eyes. This Is a a~ II to develop a unified plan m work together to restore the Lagoon before it's too late.

The lndian River Lagoon's seagrass ooCIS an! l:tle biological f'oun<lat:Aon ot tl'le 156 mile long estuarine ecosystem wh.kh supportS'the coastal economy or 5 counties. This. ec:osr.;.tem Is In dire need of c;lUr d irected, concert(!(! asslstalloe. we recognlu and commend significant efforts by governmellt, IJld lviCI~tals and organlzatllons that have contrlbut·ed to the k now1edge of the III{JOOn and Its varied habitats, Increased awareness a nd worked to correct some ot tl"'e problems.

Untortunat:ely, contJnued d~gredetiOn of the L.agoon Indicates that ltlose efforts hilve I:Jeoen insufficient. Stllcc~s in turning this trenCI will require the leadersl"'lp and flnancla"l support of federztl, state, oounty and dty governments: In cOOiJ)eratlon with non* profit or-gt~nazetions, CO!lloratlons, small businesses and Individuals. Gove.-nment leadership is essentiel to $Oive t his problem because It hit$ ltle power to constnJct Improvements, regu~te, rulld, enforce, acquire lan<l, mitigate and provide services.

Res~rch end monitoring o r the Lagoon provide data that demonstrate l:t1e gravity or tl"'e problem, but simultaneously can gukle us bowarcls future solutions necessary to reviVe the Lagoon.

1. 5eagrass coverage Is the prime lndlcatDr of the tle<Jith of the Lagoon en. Dur1ng a two year pe.t1od (2009- U) there has been an esumated 43'¥. loss In area covered by seagrass whk:t"' Is equivalent to approximately 53 square mnes t2J.

2 . The Lagoon oontrlbut~ s3.7 ~Ilion to the ooastztl economy annually tJ>­Seagrass producbVTty contributes between $10·20,000 ennually per acre per year In economic benefit (4 ). Based ~ seagrass losses over the l~st two years the economic loss Is approximat ely $340 million annually cs).

J. Pollutants are degrading the Lagoon. Lesions o n fishes and sea t\Jrtles, tlesl"'·eatlng fungus on dolphins and flsh kills are Increasingly common, demonstrating declining habitat quality t• l-

4. Habltat loss of se<llgr<:~ss beds. mtJngrov~sJ oyster reefs and wetlands is affecting the vlabillty of 1ago0r11 and ocean fish~rie-5, <'!IS well as bird .,,n<J manatee health and will continue to decline unl~ss action is tzlke.n l

5. High nutrient Inputs to LD90Qn waten rewlt from stonn wster releases, runoff, seet)lng septiC systems end overflow events at sewage treatment plants. The cumulottve results ~those events reduce water quality treating a dlaln of negative Impacts on the Utgoon, lndud1ng recent algae superblooms.

The nealtn or~ lndiJ!n River Lagoon Is a foundatiOn of economic viability and social wealth tor the Tn!asure and Space Coasts. An overall vision an<! vloble plan to restore t't1e Lagoon back to health Is the top pttonty. We the undersigned believe a s:uccessful LCigoon remcdlallon w111 reqvlre govf!mmC'nt leadership and community commitment by aiL We cannot de1ay -the future of tne t.as;~oon Is In our hanCis lind mi.IS't be addressed on our watdl .

This document Is a ·cau to Action~ for our governments to ea:ept this leadership role.

Individual: _ _

o~naation: ____________________________________________ __

Con~P~on: ____________________________________________ __

Address:

Telephone: ------------------ E·Mall: ------Signatl.lre ____________________________ _

R&um IJ)-of 1t1e follaw~ng: lalm Or=tt ~ Pabbl8 Bay South vero Bead>, FL 32963 Qsjlf¥"!'>Cft5<" '"' ACt

R.efiren:flOII!s:

Ooog Gta'(boll 500 Palm 1-.nd ....,. v...., 1!4Ktt, fl. 32963 DoyqCIGCIIJbiiiGmup cpm

Date. __________ _

I. IRI. NEP, ln.ntl Rl""r lal)ooft Notl ..... fst\lory Plan. 2001. Indian 11.-l.lg-. MS@581"f'ient l!nd anelySB update. nnM report,. contrKt no 24106. tn~ AIYtef'" La90on Nado11031 t!stuwy Provo-...,, "'*" ~.,. R.

SLew.mJ J .S...., L 8rodcf11Cil"ttr, A. Vlmctaln, P. (';os( .... P, ~• ... and J. V&nArmitn. 2003. t nd.bn River .._on S<Jrfoc"-.,. tmp~¥8111811( ""d K..,.g.emont (SWIM) Plon, 2000! Updot o. 5>1. JOI\ns Rlvor .,__. ...,~!1"'"..-t [)lot<l<t.. f>.OIObloa, ""rid• and South f1011dll Wotor Mt"90menl Di!trlct. West Palm &!ftchp f"larida

2 . St loiYI'• W<1l>er Mon-mcnt ~riQ, p~llmiNI')' C:.U. 3. DMronmont>IPr<>W<Sion"9oncy, NOll- l:atuD"' Progntm, 2007 •· Oonnl• HanG!<, PllD, tl....,.r IInneii Ooaon.ogrophlc rnoc~tule, ....,.ot>l!ll oomrnumcztlon s. 3'3, 9.21hoe of >=II"'"' lo>o In th• Uij. ~m Z009·l011 • IIO.ilOO("""I"f-6. tlMb Wtddcr, ftiD, OONJn Rllli8art11 and COI"'Set'YMJon Assod1tton. pe~l OOri"\'M.unk-.cftion

Indjan River Laeoon Coalition Supporters

1. Alllerican Institute of Architects (AlA) - 39. Sierra Club- Turtle Coast Group Treasure Coast Chapter 40. Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian

2. Anglers for Conservation Universalist Fellowsh ip of VB 3 . Aquatic Researc h and Commu nication 41 . Smith College Club of the Treasure Coast 4. Atlantic Financial Services 42. South Beach Property Owners Association 5. Audubon Florida 43. Surlaterre Landscape Architecture 6. Best Industries. Inc. 44. Sustainable Indian River. Inc. 7. Christ By the Sea United Methodist 45. Town of Orch id

Church 46. Town of Indian River Shores 8. City of Fellsmere 47. Treasure Coast Progressive Allia n ce 9. City ofVero Beach 48. Vascular Interventional and Vein 10. Environmental Learning Center Associates 11. Eugenia Chapter of the Florida Native 49. Vassar Club ofVe ro Beach

Plant Society 50. Vero Beach Book Center 12. Estuarine, Coastal and Ocean Science, Inc. 51. Vero Beach Choral Society 13. Father and Sons 52. Vero Beach Power Squadron 14. Florida Oceanographic Society 53. Vero Heritage Inc. 15. Friends of the St. Sebastian River 54. Vero Is les Association, Inc. 16. Garden Club of Indian River County 55. Visiting Nurses Association of the 17. Harvard Club ofVero Beach Treasure Coast, Inc. 18. Healthway ofVero Beach 56. Wellness Center 19. Indian Rive rkeeper 57. Wild Properties, Inc. 20. Indian River Land Trust 58. Ya le Club of the Treas ure Coast 21. Indian River Ministerial Association 22. Indian River Neighborhood Association 23. J & G Organics 24. Joey's Seafood Shack 25. Keep Indian River Beautiful 26. Kiwanis Club ofVero-Treasure Coast 27. Main Street Vero Beach 28. Marine Resources Council 29. Ocean Research and Conservation

Association, Inc. 30. Past and Present Interiors 31. Patty's Printing. Inc. 32. Pebble Bay Homeowners Association 33. Pelican Is land Audubon Society 34. Professional Outfitters 35. Rotary Club ofVero Beach Sunrise 36. Save Our Shores 37. Sea Oaks Property Owners Association 38. Sebastian Property Owners Association

Municipalities

City of FellsmereCity of Fellsmere City of Vero Beach Town of OrchidTown of Orchid Town of Indian River Shores

Non Profit/Clubs/Civic Organizations

Anglers for Conservation Audubon Florida E i t l L i  

Indian River Land Trust Indian River Neighborhood 

Association Environmental Learning Center

Eugenia Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society

Association Keep Indian River Beautiful Kiwanis Club of Vero‐

Treasure Coast Father and Sons Florida Oceanographic 

Society Friends of the St  Sebastian 

Marine Resources Council Ocean Research and 

Conservation Association, Inc. Pelican Island Audubon  Friends of the St. Sebastian 

River Garden Club of Indian River 

County

Pelican Island Audubon Society

Rotary Club of Vero Beach Sunrise

Indian Riverkeeper Save Our Shores

Non Profit/Clubs/Civic Organizations

Sierra Club‐Turtle Coast Group Sustainable Indian River, Inc. Treasure Coast Progressive Alliance Vero Beach Choral Society Vero Beach Power Squadron Vero Heritage Inc. Visiting Nurses Association of the Treasure Coast

Alumni Associations andAlumni Associations andFaith Based Organizations

Christ By the Sea United Methodist Church Harvard Club of Vero Beach Indian River Ministerial Association Smith College Club of the Treasure Coast Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian F ll hi   f V  B hFellowship of Vero Beach

Vassar Club of Vero Beach Yale Club of the Treasure Coast Yale Club of the Treasure Coast

H   P f i l Homeowners Associations

Pebble Bay Homeowners 

Professional Businesses

American Institute of Architects (AIA)  Pebble Bay Homeowners Association

Sea Oaks Property 

( )Treasure Coast Chapter

Aquatic Research and Communication Atlantic Financial Services Best Industries, Inc.p y

Owners Association Sebastian Property O ners Association

, Estuarine, Coastal and Ocean Science, Inc. Healthway of Vero Beach J & G Organics Joey’s Seafood ShackOwners Association

South Beach Property Owners Association

Joey s Seafood Shack Main Street Vero Beach Past and Present Interiors Patty’s Printing, Inc. Professional Outfitters

Vero Isles Association, Inc.

Professional Outfitters Surlaterre Landscape Architecture Vascular Interventional and Vein 

Associates Vero Beach Book Center Vero Beach Book Center Wellness Center Wild Properties, Inc.

WHO IS “WE”?

FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCY’S_______________________________________*ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA) *INDIAN RIVER LAGOON NATIONAL ESTUARY PROGRAM (NEP)*U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE *U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS*DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION *ST JOHN’S WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT (SJWMD)*SOUTH FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT (SFWMD

COUNTY GOVERNMENTS1*VOLUSIA COUNTY 3*INDIAN RIVER COUNTY 5*MARTIN COUNTY2*BREVARD COUNTY 4*ST LUCIE COUNTY 6*PALM BEACH COUNTY

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY  

LOCAL WATER CONTROL DISTRICTSMUNICIPALITIES OF IRC1. CITY OF FELLSMERE2. TOWN OF INDIAN RIVER SHORES3. TOWN OF ORCHID4. CITY OF SEBASTIAN

CITY OF VERO BEACH

LOCAL WATER CONTROL DISTRICTS1. INDIAN RIVER FARMS WATER DIST2. SEBASTIAN RIVER IMPROVEMENT DIST3. ST JOHN’S RIVER IMPROVEMENT DIST4. FELLSMERE FARMS WATER CENTRAL DIST5. VERO LAKES WATER CENTRAL DIST5. CITY OF VERO BEACH 5. VERO LAKES WATER CENTRAL DIST6. DETA FARMS WATER CENTRAL DIST

COUNTY AGENCIESSEBASTIAN INLET DISTRICT MOSQUITO CONTROL DISTRICTFLORIDA INLAND NAVIGATION DISTRICT INDIAN RIVER SOIL AND CONSERVATION DIST

INTERESTED ORGANIZATIONSEXAMPLES

• OCEAN RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION• INDIAN RIVER LAND TRUST• PELICAN ISLAND AUDUBON SOCIETY• PELICAN ISLAND AUDUBON SOCIETY• RIVER KEEPER• ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER• FRIENDS OF SEBASTIAN RIVER• PELICAN ISLAND PRESERVATION SOCIETY• HARBOR BRANCH OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTE             ……AND OTHERS

COMMUNITY CITIZEN SUPPORTCOUNTY GOVERNMENT

(Leadership Role)(Leadership Role)Federal and StateGovernment Agencies(Expertise and Resources)

PARTNERSPARTNERS

Local Municipalities

Local Water Control Districts

Private and Non Profit Organizations

Residents

lEconomic Value

:ISSN: 0098-4590

r

r Florida Scientist Volume46 Summer, Fall, 1983 Number3/4

CONTENTS

ACADEMY SYMPOSIUM*

FUTURE OF THE

INDIAN RIVER SYSTEM

Future ofthe Indian River System ............. John R. Montgomery and Ned P. Smith 129

Perspectives on the Future of the Indiai;t River System Leigh Taylor Johnson 132

Temporal Dynamics of Copper Chemistry in the Shoal Grass, Halodule wrightii Aschers ;;, ............ Thomas D. French

\ and John R. Montgomery 135 Computer Simulation of Light Attenuation . .. . ... William A. Hogan 145 The Occurrence of a Toxic Dinoflagellate in the Indian

River System ....................... , ............ D. R. Norris 150 Sediment in Seagrasses Near Link Port, Indian River,

Florida ................................... Charles M. Hoskin 153 Indian River Fouling Organisms, A R~view ............ David Mook 162 Seasonal Variations in the Heat Energy Budget of the

Indian River Lagoon, Florida ..................... Ned P. Smith 168

(Continued on back cover)

•copies of this issue may be obtained for $15.00 postpaid from the Department of Oceanography, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Florida 32901.

QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE FLORIDA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

County ResolutionCounty Resolution