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Environmental & Marine Consulting Services, Inc. 8949 SE Bridge Road, #316 Hobe Sound, FL 33455 772-905-9389 INDIAN RIVER LAGOON TECHNICAL ADVISORY BOARD MEETING FACILITATION AND SUPPORT SERVICES EMCS Work Summary Prepared for the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners Tuesday,July 16th,2013 1. INTRODUCTION The Indian River Lagoon is North America's most diverse estuary with more than 4,300 species of plants (2,100) and animals (2,200), including 35 that are listed on either the threatened or endangered species list, more than any other estuary in North America. The Lagoon varies in width from .5 to 5 miles (0.80 to 8.0 km) and averages 4 feet (1.2 m) in depth. It is nearly 156 miles (251 km) long, extending from Ponce de Leon Inlet in Volusia County,to Jupiter Inlet in Palm Beach County. The Lagoon serves as a spawning and nursery ground for many different species of oceanic and Lagoon fish and shellfish. The Lagoon also maintains one of the most diverse bird populations anywhere in America. Lastly, it provides refuge for nearly 30% of the nation's manatee population, which migrates through the Lagoon seasonally. In 2007, concerns were raised about the future of the Lagoon system, especially where frequent freshwater discharges seriously threaten water quality (decreasing the salinity needed by many fish and plant species) and contribute to large algae blooms (water heavily saturated with nutrients promotes the algae blooms). In 2010, annual nutrient loads into the Lagoon were been quantified at 3,300,000 pounds (1,500,000 kg) of nitrogen and 475,000 pounds (215,000 kg) of phosphorus. In 2011, a superbloom of phytoplankton resulted in the loss of 32,000 acres (13,000 ha) and by 2012, 47,000 acres (19,000 ha), or 60% of Lagoon seagrass had died off compared to the 2010 inventory. Nearly a third of all seagrass losses, 12,000 acres, were within Indian River County. The seagrass is considered a critical component to the overall health of the Lagoon, as it provides the foundation for much of the aquatic life. In 2012, a brown tide bloom fouled the northern Lagoon. Not only was the foundation of the ecosystem at risk of collapse, but the seagrass die off also threatened the $3.7 billion the Lagoon generates for local economies annually. This caused immediate alarm in the scientific and general communities. In response to public outcry Commissioner Tim Zorc of Indian River County hosted the Indian River Lagoon Symposium on March 26, 2013. The symposium was a multi- institutional, multi-agency forum discussing science and the health of the Indian River Lagoon. The symposium was open to scientists, decision makers, students, education and outreach professionals, and the interested public. The intent was to help facilitate better communication among these groups so that the gaps between research, its coordination, and its application can be narrowed. Providing Environmental & Permitting Solutions to So� Clients from Kissimmee to the Keys