Your IRNA Year Wrapped: 2024 Highlights
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
As the holiday season surrounds us with warmth and gratitude, we take this moment to reflect on the progress we’ve made together in 2024. Your unwavering support and engagement have allowed the Indian River Neighborhood Association to shine as a beacon of hope and action for sustainable growth, environmental protection, and community advocacy. Thank you for being an essential part of our journey this year.
Some of Our 2024 Achievements
This year, we focused on impactful initiatives that improve the quality of life in Indian River County while safeguarding our unique environment:
Septic-to-Sewer Conversions: Accelerated transitions to protect our waterways, focusing on low-income areas and compliance with state deadlines.
Secured Stormwater Utility Funding: Ensured full funding for Vero Beach’s Stormwater Utility, enabling critical projects to reduce flooding and improve lagoon health.
Promoted Lagoon-Friendly Practices: Distributed “no fertilizer” signs and championed sustainable landscaping to reduce nutrient pollution.
Preserved Water Management Funding: Successfully opposed rollbacks on water management district millage rates, ensuring stable funding for water quality projects.
Engaged the Community: Hosted luncheons, public discussions, and tree recovery events to educate and empower residents on environmental and storm resilience topics.
Supported Lagoon Restoration: Advanced projects like the Groveland Reservoir and collaborated with experts to study and mitigate nutrient pollution.
Expanded Outreach: Published our weekly ad-free newsletter and two issues of our annual magazine to provide valuable, expert insights directly to your inbox.
These accomplishments are just a glimpse of the meaningful work we’ve done this year. If you would like more detail, click here.
Looking Ahead
IRNA is committed to continuing this vital work in 2025 and beyond. But we can’t do it alone. Your involvement—whether it’s reading our newsletters, attending events, or making a contribution—makes all the difference.
How You Can Help
As we close out the year, we invite you to consider supporting IRNA. Your donations help us advocate for clean water, sustainable growth, and resilient infrastructure. Together, we can ensure that Indian River County remains a thriving, vibrant community for generations to come.
To donate, please visit www.indianriverna.com/join.
Thank you for being a part of the IRNA family. From all of us, we wish you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a prosperous New Year!
Warm regards,
Dan Lamson
Executive Director
Indian River Neighborhood Association
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This is the last newsletter of 2024. We'll be back in January and wish you and your a most joyful holiday season!
Update: Poultry Production Facility, Morning Star Fields
We’re pleased to share some additional information about the proposed poultry production facility, Morning Star Fields, located off SR 60 by Twentymile Bend. This project, which has sparked significant community interest due to its location in an environmentally sensitive area, is currently under review for key permits.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) has determined that the construction requires permits ensuring reasonable assurance of water quality protection under the Clean Water Act. Additionally, Morning Star Fields is applying for a floodplain permit from Indian River County to manage potential runoff into State waters.
Given the ecological importance of this site, IRNA is committed to closely monitoring the development and permitting process to ensure that our community’s water resources are safeguarded. We believe in fostering a constructive dialogue that balances agricultural innovation with environmental preservation.
What We’ve Been Doing:
IRNA, in collaboration with the Clean Water Coalition, the Pelican Island Audubon Society, and the St. Johns Riverkeeper, has been actively engaged:
Advocating for Clean Water: We formally notified FDEP of our intent to ensure this project does not negatively impact groundwater or surface waters in Indian River County.
Site Visit: On December 11th, we visited the site, thanks to Commissioner Susan Adams and Morning Star Fields’ owner, Bruno Ramos. This visit offered valuable insights into the construction progress and the innovative technology being employed and allowed us to ask questions.
Ongoing Engagement: We are closely following the FDEP permitting process to ensure transparency and accountability in protecting our county’s vital water resources.
We’re encouraged by the open communication demonstrated by Morning Star Fields during our visit. Mr. Ramos provided a detailed overview of the project’s design and goals, emphasizing their commitment to responsible and innovative farming practices.
For more details about our site visit and observations, click the link below. As the permitting process unfolds, IRNA will continue to share updates and advocate for our community.
Vero Beach Three Corners selection begins with new bids submitted (TCPalm) - The City of Vero Beach received two bids from development teams for the Three Corners waterfront project, after revising its process and rules following a disqualification in its first attempt, with final proposals to be made public in January and recommendations expected in March.
Florida manatee viewing: Where to see manatees during manatee season (TCPalm) - Manatees migrate to warmer nearshore and inshore waters during winter, offering viewing opportunities at spots like Fort Pierce’s Manatee Observation Center and Indian River’s Round Island Riverside Park, while emphasizing the need for boater caution to prevent collisions and reduce hazards like marine debris.
‘Rock’-solid support for Land Trust’s environmental efforts (Vero News) - The Indian River Land Trust celebrated its conservation efforts at Rock City Gardens, highlighting projects like the Coastal Oaks Preserve living classroom, lagoon pollution reduction through septic-to-sewer conversions, and land acquisitions to protect rare wildlife and habitats along the Indian River Lagoon and St. Sebastian River.
Views of the St. Lucie Locks as water travels from Lake Okeechobee (TCPalm) - The St. Lucie Lock and Dam in Martin County facilitates water flow from Lake Okeechobee to the St. Lucie River, serving as a critical connection for regional waterways while highlighting the need for responsible water management and environmental preservation.
Living the Hive Life (Vero Beach Magazine) - Beekeeper Pete Roberts, operating for over 45 years in Indian River County, produces honey and beeswax while emphasizing the vital ecological and economic role of bees amid challenges like habitat loss and invasive species.
Think about swimming your way to better health (Vero News) - Swimming provides a full-body, low-impact workout that strengthens muscles, improves cardiovascular and lung health, supports joint health, enhances mental well-being, and promotes better sleep, making it an ideal lifelong exercise for people of all ages and fitness levels.
Good (Biosolids) News!
The Indian River County Board of County Commissioners has unanimously renewed the moratorium on land application of Class B biosolids. This moratorium, first enacted in 2018 after the algae bloom at Blue Cypress Lake, is now extended through January 1, 2026, pending further study and regulation development. The decision aligns with Florida Statute 403.0855, which permits counties to extend such moratoriums.
The ordinance aims to protect public health and natural resources, particularly Blue Cypress Lake, a vital potable water source in the region. Research has shown correlations between biosolid land application and nutrient increases in local water bodies, contributing to harmful algal blooms. This extension ensures continued prohibition on land application and transportation of Class B biosolids within the unincorporated areas of Indian River County.
For more details, the ordinance specifies ongoing collaboration with state agencies to evaluate environmental impacts and explore regulatory measures.Thank you to the County Commission for keeping this harmful practice banned in our community!
First state parks bill filed; here's what it looks like (VoteWater.org) - Senate Bill 80, the "State Park Preservation Act," aims to safeguard Florida’s state parks by prohibiting large-scale developments like hotels and golf courses, prioritizing conservation-focused activities, and mandating transparency for park development plans, though advocates suggest longer notice periods and clearer definitions of "disturbed" land.
In Miami, Dozens of High-Rises Along Water Have Been Sinking (Newser) - A study reveals that 35 beachfront high-rises in Miami have been sinking between 2016 and 2023, some by over 3 inches, raising concerns about structural safety and the potential impact of rising sea levels on the area's limestone foundation.
Water advocates in Cape Coral are fighting city hall at a cost (Miami Herald) - Three Cape Coral fishermen face potential $2 million penalties for challenging the removal of the Chiquita Lock, a decades-old environmental safeguard, highlighting concerns over the silencing of grassroots environmental advocates in Florida amid worsening water quality issues.
Miami defers tree ordinance shift that eases tree-cutting rules (Miami Herald) - A proposed Miami ordinance to ease tree removal rules, criticized as favoring developers under the guise of simplifying processes for residents, could further hinder the city’s struggle to expand its urban tree canopy, which is vital for cooling, flood control, and environmental resilience.
FEMA guts insurance discounts after bad Hurricane Ian rebuild (Miami Herald) - FEMA warned Florida cities like Fort Myers Beach to comply with stricter rebuilding standards, including raising homes above flood levels, or face penalties such as losing federal flood insurance discounts, underscoring the rising costs of climate change and hurricane resilience.
Scientists study gators for climate impacts in the Everglades (Miami Herald) - Alligators and crocodiles in the Everglades serve as key indicators for environmental changes, revealing how climate change impacts water flow, nesting habitats, and the delicate ecosystem balance, while researchers study their adaptation to rising sea levels and shifting habitats.
Miami-Dade passes limited ban to cut plastic waste (Miami Herald) - Miami-Dade County passed a resolution banning single-use plastics and Styrofoam at county-owned venues, aiming to reduce plastic pollution and set an example for sustainable practices, despite pushback from the plastics industry and concerns about its impact on businesses.
Practicing Optimism in Environmental Activism
Optimism isn’t about ignoring challenges; it’s about finding the power to act despite them. Here’s how you can integrate optimism into your advocacy efforts:
Reframe the StoryInstead of saying, “We’re running out of time,” try, “We still have time to act.” The way you frame the conversation can shift the energy toward hope and solutions.
Celebrate ProgressEvery step matters—whether it’s a city fully funding their Stormwater Utility or a friend starting to compost. Recognizing wins, no matter the size, keeps momentum alive.
Find CommunityJoin forces with others who care. (Like the IRNA!) Whether in local groups or online, being part of a collective effort reinforces that change is possible.
Focus on TodayYou don’t need to solve everything at once. Write to a representative, attend an important meeting, or choose a sustainable action for your day. Every small step contributes to the bigger picture.
Stay InspiredLearn from others who are making a difference. Their stories can reignite your belief in what’s possible.
Optimism isn’t a luxury—it’s a strategy. It turns fear into action and action into change. Together we can build a future rooted in hope and action. How do you stay optimistic? Share your thoughts and keep the conversation alive! 🌍
The Sunbelt’s Growing Population Faces Increasing Climate Hazards (Inside Climate News) - The Sunbelt's rapidly growing population faces increasing risks from wildfires, drought, and extreme heat due to climate change, with socially vulnerable communities in states like Florida, Arizona, and Texas especially at risk, highlighting the urgent need for targeted mitigation and adaptation strategies.
Alert fatigue: The phrase that defined our climate in 2024 (Grist) - The year 2024, marked by record-breaking heat and escalating climate disasters, highlighted "alert fatigue" as a defining challenge, reflecting society's growing desensitization to climate warnings amid mounting crises such as extreme heatwaves, hurricanes, and global flooding.
Birding Is a Much (Much) Bigger Industry Than You Knew (Inside Climate News) - Birding, a hobby enjoyed by 96 million Americans in 2022, generated $107.6 billion in economic activity, supporting 1.4 million jobs and aiding conservation efforts, as birders contribute valuable data to scientists tracking the impacts of climate change on declining bird populations.
Manatee rescued in Eastern NC expected to make a full recovery (Star News Online) - A manatee rescued from cold stress in North Carolina is recovering at SeaWorld Orlando, with plans for its release along Florida's east coast in early 2025, as sightings of these protected marine mammals rise due to climate change and habitat challenges.
Floods, insufficient water, sinking river deltas: Hydrologists map changing river landscapes across the globe (ScienceDaily) - A global study reveals that over the past 35 years, 44% of major downstream rivers have seen reduced flow, threatening freshwater supplies, deltas, and irrigation, while 17% of smaller upstream rivers experienced increases, amplifying flood risks and sedimentation challenges, primarily driven by climate change and human activities.
NASA-DOD Study: Saltwater to Widely Taint Coastal Groundwater by 2100 (Environmental News Network) - A NASA-DOD study projects that by 2100, rising sea levels and shifting groundwater dynamics will drive saltwater intrusion into nearly 75% of coastal aquifers worldwide, rendering water supplies undrinkable, damaging ecosystems, and threatening infrastructure stability.
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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