January 25, 2025 Weekly Newsletter
The Impact of Glyphosate on Manatees and Why It Matters
Recent research has shed light on the alarming effects of glyphosate, commonly known as Roundup, on Florida's manatees. Glyphosate, the most widely used herbicide globally, is frequently applied along canal walls and hillsides to control vegetation. However, much of it washes into waterways, exposing aquatic life to its harmful effects. Despite its widespread use, glyphosate was never thoroughly tested for its impact on aquatic ecosystems, raising serious concerns about its role in harming wildlife.
A recent study has found that glyphosate exposure significantly suppresses manatee immune function. In tests conducted on manatee T-lymphocytes (a critical component of the immune system), glyphosate exposure led to a dose-dependent reduction in cell proliferation—by as much as 51.5% in some cases. Additionally, exposure triggered the expression of genes associated with acute-phase inflammation, potentially weakening the manatees' ability to fight off infections and other environmental stressors like red tide and cold stress.
These findings are troubling, especially considering that glyphosate has been detected in the plasma of over 50% of Florida manatees. The herbicide's persistent presence in their freshwater habitats suggests chronic exposure, which could further compromise their already fragile health. Manatees are currently facing unprecedented challenges, including seagrass loss, starvation, and pollution, making it crucial to address additional stressors like glyphosate contamination.
For years, we have advocated for local governments to phase out glyphosate use due to environmental concerns. Our efforts have focused on encouraging safer alternatives and more judicious application methods to reduce runoff into waterways. Despite our efforts, glyphosate remains a popular choice for weed control, often due to its low cost and effectiveness. However, the long-term consequences for manatees and other aquatic life make it clear that continued reliance on glyphosate is unsustainable.
The late Graham Cox, a dedicated advocate for environmental conservation, worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the dangers of glyphosate. His contributions helped shine a light on the need for more responsible herbicide use and greater accountability from regulatory bodies. In his memory, we hope this new research will prompt new actions and encourage policymakers to prioritize the health of our waterways and wildlife.
Glyphosate is not just a threat to manatees. Classified as a probable human carcinogen by the World Health Organization, it has been banned or restricted in many parts of the world due to its links to cancer and other health issues. Given the growing body of evidence, it is imperative that we take steps to protect human, manatee, and environmental health.
We urge policymakers, environmental agencies, and the public to take this research seriously and push for more responsible herbicide management practices. By reducing our dependence on glyphosate and opting for safer alternatives, we can help safeguard Florida's waterways and protect its most vulnerable inhabitants.
Read more here.
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On behalf of the Indian River Neighborhood Association, we sincerely thank everyone who attended our Lunch and Learn event, "Critical Condition: Florida’s Waterways in Crisis — and How to Save Them." Your support and engagement are crucial in our efforts to protect and preserve our local environment.
A special thank you to our keynote speaker, Eve Samples, Executive Director of Friends of the Everglades, for sharing her expertise and passion for Florida’s waterways. We also extend our gratitude to Gil Smart from VoteWater for his valuable insights and commitment to advocating for clean and healthy water systems and keeping politicians accountable.
Stay connected with IRNA for more opportunities to learn and get involved! See you at our February Luncheon in Fellsmere on February 26th! More info to follow.
Hurricane Milton debris in Vero Beach at Riverside Park all picked up (TCPalm) - Riverside Park in Vero Beach has fully reopened for public use after the city completed debris removal from Hurricane Milton, restoring the area in time for upcoming events.
Philo is officially and unanimously named City Clerk (Vero News) - Sherri Philo has been officially and unanimously appointed as Vero Beach’s City Clerk after 28 years in the clerk’s office, succeeding Tammy Bursick and receiving a salary increase to $85,000.
Safety improvements under way at Barber Bridge entrance (Vero News) - A $3.7 million safety and traffic improvement project is underway at the western entrance of the Merrill Barber Bridge, aiming to enhance signaling, expand turn lanes, and improve lighting, with construction expected to continue until next fall.
Public’s push sways council on boardwalk. City now explores adding a lifeguard station (Vero News) - The Vero Beach City Council unanimously approved rebuilding the storm-damaged Humiston Park boardwalk with concrete, supported by community fundraising and private donations, while also exploring the addition of a lifeguard station.
Condo inventory rising here amid new regulations (Vero News) - New state condo regulations have led to rising inventory and slower sales on the barrier island as owners face higher costs and assessments, but increased transparency from required inspections may ultimately benefit buyers and stabilize the market.
Vero must embrace even more ‘Clear’ Three Corners vision (Vero News) - Clearpath Services has submitted a revised $250 million proposal for Vero Beach’s Three Corners project, scaling back some original features while enhancing community amenities, making it a stronger and more realistic contender against The Blue at Vero Beach’s $195 million plan.
Community Voices Prevail: County Commission
Upholds Planning and Zoning Decision
In an important win for responsible development and community advocacy, the Indian River County Commission unanimously upheld the Planning and Zoning Commission’s decision to deny the rezoning request by Red Jasmine Land Company, LLC. The 5-0 vote reaffirmed the importance of maintaining zoning integrity, protecting residential communities, and ensuring development remains consistent with the county’s long-term planning goals.
The Board of County Commissioners (BCC) carefully followed the legal framework required in a quasi-judicial hearing, evaluating the case based on competent and substantial evidence rather than public sentiment alone. Their decision aligns with the county’s Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Regulations, which emphasize maintaining a balanced development pattern.
The staff report highlighted several key reasons for denial, including:
Incompatibility with Surrounding Uses – The proposed CH (Heavy Commercial) zoning would have introduced high-intensity uses that conflict with the nearby CL (Limited Commercial) and residential areas.
Failure to Meet Comprehensive Plan Criteria – The property lacked the required adjacency to railroad tracks and had insufficient separation from residential development.
Disruption to Existing Development Patterns – The surrounding area is characterized by convenience-oriented retail and services that support the community, not industrial or heavy commercial uses.
Availability of Alternative Sites – There are already undeveloped CH-zoned properties within a two-mile radius that are better suited for high-intensity commercial development.
Public Interest Concerns – The potential for increased traffic, noise, and incompatible land use made this rezoning request detrimental to the community.
The Indian River Neighborhood Association (IRNA) also advocated for responsible growth here, submitting a letter in support of denying the rezoning request. This decision also showed the power of community involvement.
Residents from Oak Island Estates, Orchid Landing, and other nearby neighborhoods showed up and spoke out, voicing their concerns about how this rezoning could negatively impact their homes, property values, and quality of life. Their thoughtful, reasoned arguments underscored the importance of maintaining zoning that supports—not disrupts—residential communities.
The strong turnout at the meeting serves as a prime example of how local communities can make their voices heard and influence decision-making. It’s proof that civic engagement works when residents stay informed, participate in hearings, and hold local officials accountable.
The IRNA and local residents extend their gratitude to the Board of County Commissioners for upholding the Planning and Zoning Commission’s decision and for conducting the hearing with transparency and adherence to the law. Their commitment to following legal guidelines and considering the long-term impact on the community reflects strong leadership and responsible governance.
By standing together and advocating for sustainable planning, the community has ensured that responsible development remains a priority.
Indian River Habitat delivers disaster relief after Hurricane Milton (TCPalm) - Indian River Habitat for Humanity is providing disaster relief through its Home Repair program, using community-funded grants to assist uninsured and underinsured homeowners in Indian River County with critical repairs after Hurricane Milton.
Martin County, Stuart tiff over Brightline may be settled out of court (TCPalm) - Martin County is pursuing conflict resolution with Stuart over the city's refusal to provide a required letter supporting the county’s Brightline grant applications, potentially leading to mediation or litigation if no agreement is reached.
Oak Ridge: Reverie, Aurora, Siena, Storybook, Azure, Esplanade, Meridian (TCPalm) - Oak Ridge Ranches, a 3,300-acre master-planned community on the western edge of Port St. Lucie, will feature nearly 8,600 homes, commercial space, and various amenities, with multiple homebuilders developing its 11 neighborhoods.
Gleaning: The ancient practice fighting modern food waste (Grist) - Gleaning, an ancient practice of collecting leftover crops, is experiencing a revival as a grassroots solution to food waste and insecurity, with volunteers rescuing surplus produce to feed communities while highlighting systemic inefficiencies in the food supply chain.
Florida saw palmetto berry harvest without permit leads to arrests (TCPalm) - A new Florida law makes harvesting saw palmetto berries without a permit a felony, leading to dozens of arrests on the Treasure Coast as authorities aim to protect property rights and curb illegal harvesting, while critics argue it disproportionately impacts immigrant workers.
Moving from climate doomerism to optimism through humor (Grist) - Comedians and entertainers are increasingly using humor to engage audiences on climate change, helping to counteract "doomerism" and encourage collective action through films, TV shows, social media, and initiatives like NRDC’s Climate Storytelling Fellowship.
Proposed Ballot Initiative Changes Could Limit
Floridians' Voice in Policy Decisions
The proposed changes to Florida’s ballot initiative process represent a significant shift in how citizens can directly influence state policy. For years, Floridians have used this process to pass widely supported measures such as increasing the minimum wage, expanding access to medical marijuana, and restoring voting rights for former felons—issues that may not have gained traction through traditional legislative channels. However, the latest proposals could make it much harder, if not nearly impossible, for citizen-led initiatives to make it onto the ballot.
The proposed changes include stricter signature collection rules, requiring individuals to complete petitions only at elections offices or through a formal request process, rather than allowing signature collection in public spaces. This would remove a key avenue for grassroots efforts and make it more difficult for everyday citizens to participate. Additionally, new provisions would create more legal hurdles for ballot initiatives, such as requiring additional disclosures and granting state officials more authority to challenge or disqualify petitions.
Supporters of these changes argue they are necessary to prevent fraud and protect the integrity of the state constitution, but critics worry that the reforms are overly restrictive and could limit the ability of Floridians to bring forth policies that enjoy broad public support. Historically, the ballot initiative process was a more straightforward way for citizens to enact change when they felt their voices weren’t being heard by lawmakers. Over the years, the process has been made more complex, with increased requirements and higher thresholds for passage, and these new proposals would add further barriers.
The importance of a balanced system cannot be overstated. While it’s reasonable to ensure transparency and prevent undue influence in the initiative process, it’s also important to preserve the ability of citizens to propose and vote on issues that directly affect their lives. When a significant percentage of the population supports a measure, it raises the question of whether additional obstacles are truly in the public’s best interest.
Ultimately, Florida’s ballot initiative process has long served as an important tool for civic engagement and direct democracy. Any changes to it should carefully consider the balance between security and accessibility, ensuring that citizens retain a meaningful voice in shaping their state's future.
Reach out to our Elected Officials and Make Your Voice Heard!
Sen. Erin Grall
Phone: 850-487-5025
Email: Grall.Erin.Web@flsenate.gov
Address: 3209 Virginia Avenue, Suite A149, Fort Pierce, FL 34981
Rep. Robbie Brackett
Phone: 772-778-5005
Address: Suite B2-203, 1801 27th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960
Governor Ron DeSantis
Phone: 850-717-9337
Address: The Capitol, 400 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
Fiction to reality: Bridging the urban-rural divide (Grist) - A sustainable future requires bridging the urban-rural divide, leveraging the efficiency of cities and the ecological connection of rural areas to create resilient, interconnected communities that share resources and support each other.
Finally, an answer to why Earth's oceans have been on a record hot streak (Grist) - A new study attributes the record-breaking ocean heat streak to Earth's growing energy imbalance, driven by greenhouse gas emissions and reduced atmospheric reflectivity, which is accelerating ocean warming and intensifying climate impacts like hurricanes and coral bleaching.
Unraveling the connection between Canadian wildfires and Arctic ice clouds (ScienceDaily) - Researchers have linked aerosols from Canadian wildfires to the formation of ice clouds over the Arctic, showing that transported organic carbon particles contribute to cloud formation at warmer-than-usual temperatures, which could impact climate modeling.
Climate Study: Rise in Heat Deaths Will Substantially Outweigh Fewer Cold Deaths (Environmental News Network) - A study projects that climate change could cause 2.3 million additional temperature-related deaths in Europe by 2099, as rising heat deaths far outweigh fewer cold deaths, but up to 70% could be prevented with urgent emissions cuts.
New weapon against harmful algal blooms (ScienceDaily) - Researchers at Florida Atlantic University have developed a novel method to combat harmful algal blooms by converting cyanobacterial biomass into lanthanum-modified adsorbent materials that efficiently remove phosphorus from water, offering a promising solution for water quality management.
Trump is just getting started. What are climate activists supposed to do? (Grist) - With Trump's return to the White House and his push to expand fossil fuel production, climate activists are uniting across progressive movements, exploring new tactics like direct action, labor organizing, and sustained protests to build public support and counter government opposition.
Want your voice to be heard? Use this link to easily contact elected officials—from your city council to the President. Your voice can make a real impact. While the IRNA may occasionally prompt you to contact specific officials about urgent issues, we keep this list handy for your convenience. Can't find who you're looking for? Just let us know; we're here to help connect you with the right people.
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