IRNA Lagoon Committee Report, Manatee News, and more!
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April 5, 2025 Weekly Newsletter
IRNA Water & Lagoon Committee: Taking Action to Protect Our Waters
The Indian River Neighborhood Association's Water and Lagoon Committee met last week to discuss some of the environmental challenges facing our waterways and identify actionable solutions. The meeting brought together longtime committee members and welcomed new participants who share a passion for protecting our precious lagoon ecosystem.
Dr. Trefry's Insights Guide Future Efforts
A highlight of the discussion was reflection on Dr. John Trefry's presentation at the Indian River Neighborhood Association lunch and learn. Dr. Trefry, professor emeritus at FIT, provided compelling data and visuals illustrating the changes in our lagoon over time. His presentation emphasized several key points that will guide the committee's future work:
One-size-fits-all solutions are inadequate for addressing lagoon issues, as each area faces unique challenges
Peak storm events require special consideration in planning and management
Science and data must drive decision-making processes
Prevention is more cost-effective than remediation - keeping nutrients out of the lagoon is easier than removing them once they're present
Action Initiatives Identified
Building on these insights, the committee identified two major campaign initiatives to pursue:
1. Water Conservation Strategies
The committee discussed water conservation approaches, focusing particularly on condominium and residential usage. Key points included:
Installing hot water recirculation systems in residential buildings, which can reduce water waste significantly
Exploring submetering options to track individual water usage in condos to incentivize less usage
The economic and environmental case for water conservation, with estimates suggesting approximately 27 gallons of water per person is wasted daily in some communities
The St. Johns Water Management District's prediction of a water shortage in Indian River County by 2030, highlighting the urgency of conservation efforts
2. Preventing Harmful Runoff
The committee will develop a public education and awareness campaign focused on:
Stopping the dumping of lawn clippings and plant material into stormwater swales and canals which connect to the lagoon
Promoting natural buffer zones along waterways to filter pollutants
Encouraging proper maintenance of retention ponds in residential areas
Better enforcement of existing fertilizer ordinances, particularly during rainy seasons
Looking Forward
The committee noted the need for better science and data collection to guide restoration efforts. While some funding has been allocated through various sources, including a portion of the county’s optional sales tax revenue designated for lagoon protection, members expressed interest in learning more about how these funds are being utilized and what measurable improvements have resulted.
Committee members also discussed the importance of engaging younger generations in conservation efforts, noting that "you have to be able to enjoy nature in order to protect nature."
The next Water and Lagoon Committee meeting is scheduled for April 24th. Residents interested in participating or learning more about the committee's work are encouraged to reach out to us (reply to this email) and we’ll provide you with more information on how you can get involved.
The IRNA Water and Lagoon Committee remains committed to finding practical, science-based solutions to protect our waterways for current and future generations. Join us in these important efforts to preserve the natural beauty and health of the Indian River Lagoon.
The Indian River Neighborhood Association
Water and Lagoon Committee:
Dr. Richard Baker
Geoerge Blythe
Jean Catchpole
Gian Cetrulo
Sharon Coldren
Mario Corbiciero
Tim Glover
Gretchen Hanson
Buzz Herrmann, co-chair
Mike Johannsen
Robert Jones, co-chair
Dan Lamson
Max Muller
Estelle Panagakos
Kim Piston
Barbara Ruddy
Francisco San Miguel
Dr. John Trefry
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Florida's Gentle Giants: A Tenuous Reprieve
The recent ending of the Unusual Mortality Event (UME) status for Florida's manatees marks a modest turning point after a devastating crisis. Beginning in December 2020, this emergency designation has been lifted by wildlife officials after monitoring showed fewer starvation-related deaths over the past two winters—a development that offers some respite for the threatened species.
The emergency that claimed over 1,250 manatee lives along Florida's eastern shoreline required unprecedented intervention, with wildlife authorities delivering more than 600,000 pounds of fresh greens directly to starving animals. While this stopgap measure helped prevent immediate deaths, it addressed only the symptoms of a much deeper environmental problem. The root cause—widespread pollution from agriculture, development, and septic systems—continues to plague the Indian River Lagoon and numerous other Florida waterways, where nitrogen and phosphorus levels remain dangerously high.
Although starvation deaths have decreased, the ecosystem that manatees depend on remains perilously fragile. Seagrass recovery has been minimal, with estimates suggesting full restoration could take decades. Environmental experts caution that without addressing the underlying pollution issues, the Lagoon and similar habitats remain vulnerable to another devastating cycle of algae blooms that could once again destroy the underwater meadows critical to manatee survival. The emergency feeding program may have ended, but the environmental emergency persists.
Recent monitoring shows some manatees appearing healthier and resuming breeding behavior, but these improvements exist against a backdrop of continued ecosystem instability. While Mosquito Lagoon has shown promising regrowth, much of the Lagoon system remains severely degraded, with surveys indicating that as much as 98% of manatees' potential food source was eliminated during the worst of the crisis. Statewide, more than 89,000 acres of seagrass have disappeared, including 60,000 acres in the Lagoon alone.
Conservation advocates continue to push for stronger protections and pollution controls, arguing that the end of the UME should not be misinterpreted as evidence that Florida's manatees are out of danger. The state's response to the immediate crisis was commendable, but addressing the systemic issues of water pollution and habitat degradation requires far more comprehensive action. Without such measures, the temporary reprieve Florida's gentle giants are experiencing could prove short-lived.
Read more about the pollution problems in the recent Tampa Bay Times article here.
Boater Freedom Act requires probable cause for safety, pump-out checks (TCPalm) - Florida Legislature advances bills prohibiting law enforcement from stopping boaters without probable cause, creating a safety decal program, and opening protected areas to powerboats, sparking environmental concerns.
FL rural areas, local government in danger with new bill | Our View (TCPalm) - SB 1118 (which we talked about in depth previously) would reduce local control over rural development by allowing urban projects without approval and requiring super-majority votes for restrictive zoning changes, threatening rural preservation across the Treasure Coast.
Vero Beach Three Corners developer Information (TCPalm) - The selection committee recommended Clearpath Services' $249 million "Big Blue at Three Corners" development featuring a waterfront village, hotels, museums and community spaces; City Council decides April 22.
Vero kept in limbo as Clearpath seeks new money partner (Vero News) - Despite losing financial partner Westminster Capital, Clearpath's comprehensive proposal still overwhelmingly preferred by evaluation committee over "skeletal" plan from The Blue at Vero Beach.
Gov. DeSantis awards Vero Beach $11.3M for new wastewater treatment plant (Vero News) - Governor DeSantis awarded Vero Beach $11.3 million for new wastewater treatment facility, part of $389 million statewide investment including $100 million for Indian River Lagoon protection.
ICE deal another cold shoulder to home rule (Vero News) -Not one of our usual topics, but it’s a powerful reminder of how top-down mandates from the state—like forcing ICE agreements—undermine local control and show exactly why home rule matters.
Triton ensures another ‘deeply’ satisfying ORCA Explorer event (Vero News) - Triton Submarines hosted its fifth annual ORCA Explorer's Experience fundraiser, showcasing submersibles while raising money for the Ocean Research and Conservation Association's efforts to protect the declining Indian River Lagoon through their expanding water monitoring network, ecotoxicity mapping, education programs, and citizen science initiatives.
Florida's Springs Under Threat: PFAS Contamination Discovered in Critical Water Sources
The stunning blue waters of Florida's freshwater springs have long been treasured by locals and tourists alike. But beneath that crystal-clear surface lurks a growing problem that scientists have only just begun to measure.
A team of University of Florida researchers recently crossed the state, collecting water samples from 50 different springs. What they found was troubling. Nearly two-thirds of these pristine-looking waters contained chemicals called PFAS – man-made compounds that simply don't break down in nature.
PFAS have infiltrated Florida's Freshwater Springs. This matters because these aren't just pretty swimming holes. Florida sits atop a massive aquifer, and these springs – more than 1,000 across the state – provide 90% of Floridians' drinking water (Including in IRC). They're essentially windows into the health of the groundwater everyone depends on.
The researchers found PFAS in spring after spring, with concentrations ranging from barely detectable to alarmingly high. The worst contamination clustered around Deltona, where three springs within 10 miles of each other – Green Spring, Blue Spring, and Gemini Spring – showed the highest levels. Green Spring topped the list with PFAS concentrations reaching 64.6 nanograms per liter.
Seven springs had PFAS levels exceeding the EPA's new drinking water standards – a red flag for public health. These chemicals have been linked to reproductive problems, thyroid disorders, and other health concerns. When they enter our bodies, they tend to stay there, building up over time.
What's causing the contamination? The study points to nearby airports, industrial sites, and urban development. PFAS are found in everything from non-stick pans to waterproof jackets, firefighting foam to food packaging. Decades of use have allowed these "forever chemicals" to seep into our environment, including the groundwater that feeds Florida's springs.
The bottled water industry should take note too. Springs aren't just tap water sources – they're filling bottles on supermarket shelves worldwide. Florida ranks third in bottled water production, with most brands sourcing from these very springs. Your "pure spring water" may not be as pristine as the label suggests. (And that's not even getting into the microplastics issue in water bottles...)
Even the springs tucked away in state parks showed contamination. The chemicals don't respect park boundaries any more than they respect the human body – they just keep accumulating. With Florida's booming population and increasingly unpredictable rainfall patterns, the pressure on these water sources will only grow. What looks crystal clear today might be hiding invisible threats for generations to come unless we do better.
Lake Okeechobee water ruling favors clean water advocates in Florida (WINK News) - Court rejects lawsuit from Florida sugar companies seeking irrigation water from the EAA Reservoir, marking a victory for clean water advocates working to reduce harmful Lake Okeechobee discharges to coastal estuaries like the Caloosahatchee.
State of Georgia wins water allocation case (Rough Draft Atlanta) - A federal judge upheld the Army Corps of Engineers' decision to grant Metro Atlanta water supply requests from Lake Allatoona, rejecting Alabama's challenge that claimed it would allocate too much water from the Alabama-Coosa-Tallapoosa River Basin to Georgia.
Happy Hour for manatees: 'Sea cows' got fresh water at SWFL marina, but don't do that. (Yahoo) - Thirsty manatees received fresh water at Calusa Marina in Goodland, but Florida Fish and Wildlife warns this practice is illegal under federal protection laws that prohibit feeding, harassing or disturbing these gentle sea mammals.
Miami-Dade Deploys New Fixes for Biscayne Bay Water Pollution (Miami Herald) – To combat decades of stormwater pollution in Biscayne Bay, Miami-Dade County is piloting advanced filtration projects that mimic natural ecosystems to remove contaminants, while urging community involvement and updated infrastructure to restore water quality and protect the bay’s ecological and economic value.
The Giant Plastic Tap: How Art Fights Plastic Pollution (Inter Press Service) – Canadian artist Benjamin Von Wong’s Giant Plastic Tap installation uses striking visual symbolism to spotlight the urgency of plastic pollution, turning the abstract concept of overproduction into an emotional, global call to action that supports momentum toward a binding international plastic treaty.
Encouraging and Recognizing Youth Environmental Action (raincoast.org) – Raincoast’s 2025 Student Innovation Challenge empowers youth to become environmental stewards by supporting creative, impactful projects on conservation, climate change, and Indigenous issues, recognizing efforts through prizes and community celebration.
Florida's Housing Paradox: Legislation Threatens and Promotes Affordable Housing
Florida lawmakers are considering tax breaks for affordable housing construction while simultaneously advancing provisions that could reduce existing affordable units.
House Bill 923 and Senate Bill 1594 would make it harder to preserve affordable housing by requiring two non-refundable deposits from potential buyers in the "qualified contract" process. This reverses a 2023 change that had simplified the process to just one deposit.
The qualified contract process is an escape clause within the federal Low-Income Tax Credit Program. After 15 years (despite committing to 30-50 years of affordability), developers can attempt to sell their property. If no qualified buyer is found within a year, developers can convert to market-rate housing.
Emails show that Atlantic Housing Partners, an Orlando-area developer, is advocating for the stricter two-deposit requirement. They've previously sued Florida Housing Finance Corporation over what they claimed were bad-faith qualified contract offers.
The stakes are significant: over 260 developments with nearly 40,000 affordable apartments are approaching qualified contract eligibility dates, putting them at risk of becoming market-rate housing. Nationwide, approximately 10,000 affordable apartments are lost annually through this loophole.
This issue contrasts with Florida's recent housing investments, including the 2023 Live Local Act's $811 million allocation and Senate Bill 328 (signed May 2024) expanding housing tax exemptions.
Developers argue stricter requirements prevent bad-faith offers from competitors. However, housing advocates note the obvious conflict: making qualified contracts harder to secure benefits developers seeking to escape affordability commitments after already receiving tax benefits.
As Florida invests record amounts in new affordable housing, legislators must decide whether to prioritize maintaining existing affordable units or give developers greater flexibility to convert properties after receiving substantial public subsidies.
For more information, see this article by Jason Garcia.
Tackling Climate Crisis Will Boost Economic Growth (EcoWatch) – New research from the OECD and UNDP shows that ambitious climate action can boost global economic growth and lift millions from poverty, while inaction risks slashing up to a third of global GDP by 2100 and pushing economies like Europe into permanent recession.
Global Economy More Vulnerable to Warming Than Previously Thought (Yale e360) – Revised economic models accounting for global supply chain disruptions reveal that unchecked climate change could shrink the global economy by up to 40% by 2100—far more than previously estimated—highlighting that no country is insulated from its far-reaching impacts.
A Third of US Bird Species Are in Decline, Report Warns (mongabay.com) – A third of U.S. bird species are rapidly declining, with 229 in urgent need of conservation, yet targeted habitat restoration and protection efforts have proven effective in reversing some trends and highlight the critical need for expanded, well-funded programs.
411 Fungi Species Face Extinction Worldwide: IUCN (EcoWatch) – At least 411 fungi species now face extinction due to deforestation, urbanization, pollution, and climate change, prompting urgent calls to protect their habitats and recognize fungi’s critical role in sustaining ecosystems and biodiversity.
Environmentalists Are Struggling, Not Just Under Trump (EHN) – Environmental advocates face major setbacks under the Trump administration’s rollback of climate policies, funding freezes, and fossil fuel expansion, but many note that struggles over pollution and public health in frontline communities predate the current political shift.
Earth’s Land Masses Are Drying Out Fast, Scientists Warn (Inside Climate News) – A new study shows that persistent global soil moisture loss over the past four decades—driven by climate change and human activity—has not only dried out continents and raised sea levels but also altered Earth's rotation, signaling potentially irreversible shifts in the global water cycle.
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