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INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA <br />MEMORANDUM <br />TO: Board of County Commissioners <br />THROUGH: John A. Titkanich, Jr., County Administrator <br />Kylie Yanchula, Natural Resources Director <br />FROM: Melissa Meisenburg, Sr. Lagoon Environmental Specialist <br />SUBJECT: National Estuaries Week, September 21St -28th <br />DATE: September 13, 2024 <br />DESCRIPTIONS AND CONDITIONS <br />National Estuaries Week is an annual celebration and campaign to increase public awareness of <br />our estuaries and encourage people to become involved in the protection of these natural <br />resources. Estuaries around the world provide habitats for plants and animals, protection from <br />flooding, are regional economic drivers, and recreation areas. <br />This week we recognize the importance of the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) to our community. The <br />IRL is one of the most diverse estuaries in the world, spanning 1S6 miles along Florida's east <br />coast. It is home to over 4,000 species of which S3 species are classified as threatened or <br />endangered. In honor of National Estuaries Week, we wanted to highlight the work that the <br />Lagoon Division is performing to help protect this valuable resource. <br />The goal of the Lagoon Division of Indian River County (IRC) is to protect the Lagoon through <br />research and restoration projects designed to improve resiliency and conditions for the IRL and <br />the IRC Community. To achieve this goal, IRC adopted the Lagoon Management Plan (LMP) in <br />September 2023. The LMP is a living document highlighting the key factors impacting the IRL in <br />IRC. Multiple County departments were involved in its development and continueto be involved <br />through Lagoon beneficial projects. Such projects include stormwater treatment facilities, a <br />County -wide fertilizer ordinance, and septic to sewer projects. Additionally, the Lagoon Division <br />is working on the removal of derelict vessels, completing a County -wide muck survey, is one of <br />ten partners with the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program awarded $9.4 million <br />National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration Habitat Transformational Grant, and is <br />implementing a Living Docks program. <br />FUNDING <br />No funding is required for this informational agenda item. <br />APPROVED AGENDA ITEM FOR <br />September 24, 2024 <br />15 <br />7Q <br />