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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-089A Indian River Lagoon Coalition " A Call to Action " 40 40 � �} . 0 • � sem also '�s�.o 13 -c�37 Our Indian River Lagoon is on life support , dying before our eyes. This is a_ call to develop a unified plan to work together to restore the Lagoon before it's too late . - The Indian River Lagoon 's seagrass beds are the biological foundation of the 156 mile long estuarine ecosystem which supports the coastal economy of 5 counties . This ecosystem is in dire need of our directed , concerted assistance . We recognize and commend significant efforts by government, individuals and organizations that have contributed to the knowledge of the lagoon and its varied habitats , increased awareness and worked to correct some of the problems . Unfortunately , continued degradation of the Lagoon indicates that those efforts have been insufficient . Success in turning this trend will require the leadership and financial support of federal , state , county and city governments in cooperation with non - profit organizations , corporations , small businesses and individuals . Government leadership is essential to solve this problem because it has the power to construct improvements , regulate , fund , enforce , acquire land , mitigate and provide services . Research and monitoring of the Lagoon provide data that demonstrate the gravity of the problem , but simultaneously can guide us towards future solutions necessary to revive the Lagoon . 1 . Seagrass coverage is the prime indicator of the health of the Lagoon ( 1 ) . During a two year period ( 2009 - 11 ) there has been an estimated 43 % loss in area covered by seagrass which is equivalent to approximately " 53 square miles ( 2) . 2 . The Lagoon contributes $ 3 . 7 billion to the coastal economy annually (3) . Seagrass productivity contributes between $ 10- 20 , 000 annually per acre per year in economic benefit (4) . Based on seagrass losses over the last two years the economic loss is approximately $ 340 million annually ( s) . 3 . Pollutants are degrading the Lagoon . Lesions on fishes and sea turtles , flesh - eating fungus on dolphins and fish kills are increasingly common , demonstrating declining habitat quality (6) . 4 . Habitat loss of seagrass beds , mangroves , oyster reefs and wetlands is affecting the viability of lagoon and ocean fisheries , as well as bird and manatee health and will continue to decline unless action is taken ! 5 . High nutrient inputs to Lagoon waters result from storm water releases , runoff, seeping septic systems and overflow events at sewage treatment plants . The cumulative results of those events reduce water quality creating a chain of negative impacts on the Lagoon , Including recent algae superblooms . The health of the Indian River Lagoon is a foundation of economic viability and social wealth for the Treasure and Space Coasts . An overall vision and viable plan to restore the Lagoon back to health is the top priority . We the undersigned believe a successful Lagoon remediation will require government leadership and community commitment by all . We cannot delay - the future of the Lagoon is in our hands and must be addressed on our watch . This document is a " Call to Action " for our governments to accept this leadership role . Individual : Organization : Indian River County Board of County Commissioners Contact Person . Tnac=h FF Fl ogqrher . Thai rman Address : 1801 27th Street , Vero Beach , Florida 32960 Telephone : 772- 226-1490 E - Mail : Signature ._.. Date 5/17/ 13 Return to one of the following : John Orcutt Doug Graybill 4665 Pebble Bay South 500 Palm Island Lane Vero Beach , FL 32963 Vero Beach , FL 32963 pulex (& bellsouth . net Douci (& GraybillGroup . com References . 1 . IRL NEP, Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Plan . 2008 . Indian River Lagoon assessment and analysis update, final report, contract no . 24706 . Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program , Palm Bay, FI . Steward , J . S . , R. Brockmeyer, R. Virnstein , P . Gostel , P . Sime, and J . VanArman . 2003 . Indian River Lagoon Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM ) Plan , 2002 Update . St. Johns River Water Management District, Palatka , Florida and South Florida Water Mangement District, West Palm Beach , Florida 2 . St John 's Water Management Districts preliminary data 3 . Environmental Protection Agency, National Estuary Program , 2007 4 . Dennis Hanisak, PhD , Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, personal communication 5 . 33 , 920 acres of seagrass loss in the IRL from 2009 - 2011 x $ 10 ,000/acre/year 6 . Edith Widder, PhD, Ocean Research and Conservation Association , personal communication INMAl�I DIVER LA� f1Q1�1 COALITION 9F%Ua OR VJR 0.4/2412013' I dLJNICIPALIT)FIa S.�JS�1' 08 I;,MOTESSIONAL 1 City o Fellsmere CIROANIZY'FIONS 2 . Ctty. ofSebast an l A V.+entureKayaking 3I ; c,tI .y ©f"VeroI dBead; 2IF Aneric'AM Institute o£ Architeets "(AIA) , 4.. `T'owI . n of orchid Tre�sure ' CoastGhaptcr° 5: ..II own of Indian T i er Slxores 3 1 Aquatic Research and 'CIF amlr unicat ori 4I Atlantic "Financial Services IF NOlt PROFIT IF OROA TIZAT'IONS 5 BestI Industries, Inc, L Anglers foi Conseiwation 6 : Brandt'$ Appliance Service, Inc 2 Audubon Florida 7:Central W ndow of Vero Beach I.3 . Center;`foi Spiritual Care $ . Chelsea'sIF On Cardinal 4, Environmental Leaxning Center 9 citrus Grilllouse � . 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