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Page 2 BCC Agenda Item for December 8, 2020 Update 2 — Research Review Phase of IRL Plan 2. Harmful Algal Blooms The Indian River Lagoon is home to a wide variety of algal communities that exist relatively unnoticed. However, stressors from the environment can trigger the excessive production of algal communities that can release toxins into the waters that may be detrimental to the health of the Lagoon. Some of these stressors stem from increasing nutrients in the water such as nitrogen and phosphorus, changing land use practices, development, and issues related to climate change. Not only do these blooms have the potential to harm communities within the Lagoon's ecosystem, the toxins they can produce also have negative impacts on human health and the economy because of impacts to recreational fishing and tourism. Harmful algal blooms are temporary events, and can occur in saltwater, freshwater, or brackish water bodies. 3. State and Regulatory Review of Rules State and Regulatory Rules play a major role in regulating the levels and sources of nutrients the Lagoon receives from upland sources. Within the County, the Utilities Department and Stormwater Division have to follow various rules and permit conditions to minimize nutrient impacts from their projects, infrastructure, and facilities. These permits may require nutrient information to be collected and submitted on various timescales to permitting agencies. State and Regulatory Rules also play a major role in protecting the biological and ecologically diverse habitats of the Lagoon, attempting to ensure viability for these important organisms and ecosystems to survive. 4. Total Nitrogen and Total Phosphorus Nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations are essential for the Lagoon in order to have a productive and diverse ecosystem. Organisms need these nutrients to survive in their habitats and are required for certain life processes. These two nutrients receive a bad reputation in relation to the Lagoon because although necessary for life, excess amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus can be detrimental to the system and the organisms that call it home. These sources of nutrients stem from point sources, such as permitted discharges, and non -point sources, such as stormwater runoff, groundwater flow, and atmospheric deposition. 5. Land Use Changes (Part 2) In order to develop a parcel of land within the County, various permits and approvals must be obtained from different levels of government (local, water control districts, FDEP, water management districts, etc.). These permits cover numerous topics, but one important topic needing approval is for the management of stormwater as it changes with changing land use. The management of stormwater is important in the Lagoon's watershed to make sure pollutants and excess nutrients have time to filter and settle out of the water before eventually making its way into the Lagoon. The County regulates stormwater runoff through local ordinances and the issuance of stormwater management system permits for construction projects administered through the Public Works Engineering Division, Land Development section. C:\Users\legistar\AppData\Local\Temp\BCL Technologies\easyPDF 8\@BCL@900E27D4\@BCL@900E27D4.docx 99