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WHAT IS THE ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN RESTORING AND PROTECTING THE INDIAN RIVER LAGOON? W&Ws a__`jZ I I INATI014ALI PR<>GRAM HOW CAN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS HELP? • Review and amend as necessary land deve opment standards designed to protect the Indian River Lagoon. • Develop and implement plans for storm - water abatement. • Continue to support land acquisition efforts. IRINEP BACKGROUND The National Estuary Program (NEP) was created by Congress in 1987 as part of revi- sions to the Clean Water Act. The purpose of the NEP is to protect and restore estuaries of national significance through the development of a Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) for the estuary. The Management Conference of the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program includes representatives of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), FL Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), St. Johns River Water Management District (SIRWMD). South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), the five coun- ties in the Lagoon region, and many state and federal regulatory or management agencies. In 1991 work began on characterizing the resources of the Indian River Lagoon, identify- ing problems and developing a CCMP to address those problems. A final draft of the CCMP for the Indian River Lagoon has recently been completed and is being provided to local governments throughout the Lagoon region, as well as state and federal agencies which have regulatory or management authority over the resources of the Indian River Lagoon. Comments received during this process will be reviewed and incor- porated into the final version of the CCMP. The final version will be presented to the gov- ernor for his signatureand endorsement. It is anticipated the Governor will sign the CCMP for the Indian River Lagoon in September 1996. Following the Governor's acceptance and endorsement of the CCMP, the IRLNEP Management Conference will transition into the implementation phase. in this phase CCMP actions will be put into effect. 17 JUNE 189 1996 BOOK 98 m .381 INDIAN RIVER LAGOON DESCRIPTION - The Indian River Lagoon Is located on the east coast of Florida stretching 156 miles from Ponce de Leon Inlet south of Daytona Beach to Jupiter Inlet north of West Palm Beach. The Indian River Lagoon system consists of three major water bodies: Mosquito Lagoon, Banana River and Indian River. The watershed (or drainage basin) of the IRL is approximately 2.200 square miles, which includes portions of seven counties (Volusia, Brevard. Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, Okeechobee and Palm Beach). Many resources valuable to the economy and ecosystems of this part of Florida are found in the IRL. The region includes a com- plex landscape of several natural community types, watershed and drainage features, and connections to the Atlantic Ocean. This has resulted in the Indian River Lagoon being labeled as the most diverse estuary in North America. The Indian River Lagoon is also a valuable economic resource for the region. Recent studies estimate the resources of the Indian River Lagoon contribute more than $700 mil- lion annually to the economy of the region as the result of recreational and commercial fish- ing, tourism, boating and increased land val- ues. The economic well-being of the region is closely related to the health of the Indian River Lagoon system. CHALLENGES Long-time residents of the Indian River Lagoon region tell of clear waters, extensive wetlands and sea -grass beds, and an abun- dance of fish and wildlife. Today, these con- ditions exist only in the more remote areas of the Indian River Lagoon. Presently, most of the lagoon meets minimum water quality standards estab- lished by state and federal agencies. In spite of this, water quality in many areas is not sufficient to support healthy sea -grass beds or permit the unrestricted harvest of shellfish. Most of these changes have been the result of human activities. Many of the changes in water and sedi- ment quality can be attributed to changes in the Lagoon's watershed.. Since the tum of the century, extensive drainage systems have been constructed which have more than doubled the size of the drainage basin. These drainage systems discharge large vol- umes of freshwater and associated pollu- tants from urban and agricultural runoff into the Indian River Lagoon. As the lagoon region grew, central sewer systems and wastewater treatment plants were constructed in many municipal areas. Discharging effluent to the Indian River Lagoon or its tributaries was a common, convenient and inexpensive means of dis- posing of the effluent from these plants. Growth in the Indian River Lagoon region has subjected the biological diversi- ty, integrity and productivity of the lagoon region to several threats. These threats can be generally categorized as follows: frag- mentation or loss of habitats or ecosys- tems, pollution and reduced water quality, over -exploitation of resources and intro- duced (exotic) species.