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RESOLUTION NO . 2013 - 037 <br /> A RESOLUTION OF THE INDIAN RIVER COUNTY BOARD <br /> OF COMMISSIONERS RECOGNIZING THE NEED FOR <br /> ACTION TO ADDRESS THE HEALTH OF THE INDIAN <br /> RIVER LAGOON ECOSYSTEM , SUPPORTING THE <br /> INDIAN RIVER LAGOON COALITION , AND PLEDGING <br /> THE COOPERATION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY <br /> COMMISSIONERS IN EFFORTS TO FIND SOLUTIONS <br /> FOR RESTORING THE HEALTH OF THE INDIAN RIVER <br /> LAGOON ; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE . <br /> WHEREAS , the Indian River Lagoon is a 156 mile long estuarine ecosystem <br /> which contributes $3 . 7 billion to the coastal economy of Indian River County and four <br /> additional Florida counties ; and <br /> WHEREAS , high nutrient inputs to the waters of the Indian River Lagoon result <br /> from storm water releases , runoff, seeping septic systems , and sewage treatment plant <br /> overflow events along the 156 miles of the ecosystem ; and <br /> WHEREAS , these pollutants have been and continue to degrade the Indian River <br /> Lagoon ecosystem , leading to declining habitat quality for fish and wildlife , including <br /> dolphins , sea turtles , manatees , and birds ; and <br /> WHEREAS , such high nutrient inputs have also detrimentally affected seagrass <br /> beds in the Indian River Lagoon , which seagrass beds are the biological foundation of <br /> this ecosystem and a prime indicator of the health of the Indian River Lagoon ; and <br /> WHEREAS , the significant loss of these seagrass beds , as well as mangroves , <br /> oyster reefs , and wetlands , affects the viability of both lagoon and ocean fisheries as <br /> well as habitat for birds and other wildlife ; and <br /> WHEREAS , the continuing degradation of the Indian River Lagoon ecosystem <br /> indicates that past and current efforts to address these effects may not be sufficient; <br /> and <br /> 1 <br />