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Many of us can remember the days on the water in the Indian River Lagoon in 2012 and 2013 when we could see with our own eyes the devastating effects of decades of lacks coastal pollution management and the tipping point created by the freeze of January 2010. By then most of the water in the entire Lagoon system was opaque with harmful algal blooms and the progression to destroy over 60 percent of the Lagoon’s seagrasses was underway. What ensued was the sequential destruction of benthic flora and fish populations of all kinds, a reduction in bird populations and marine mammal deaths.

By 2016 it was apparent that something extraordinary had to be done to stop this whole process and the citizens of Brevard County took it upon themselves to confront the problem. By then the sources of the problems with the IRL had been identified and it was a matter of addressing them. To that end, the Save Our Indian River Lagoon initiative (SOIRL) was organized, a ballot referendum providing dedicated funding for only IRL restoration was approved and the mission of restoring the IRL began.

The Brevard County Natural Resources Management Office under the guidance of Director Virginia Barker took the leadership role along with the support of the IRL National Estuary Program, the Marine Resources Council and other concerned groups along the Lagoon. A value-based project assessment program was developed that highlighted the projects that had the most “bang for buck” in removing the various pollutions sources from IRL.
Now, almost 10 years later, it is becoming clear that these efforts have been effective and that we are on our way to returning the Lagoon system to some semblance of its former self. Of the 403 projects originally planned, 232 have been completed or are in progress.

There are still 171 funded projects to be started but this will not complete the mission. We need at least another 10 years of work to finish the job. Remember, the Tampa Bay effort took nearly 30 years and we are well ahead of that schedule with the IRL cleanup.

The ½ cent sales tax that funded SORIL is up for renewal on the upcoming ballot in November and CCA Florida whole heartedly supports the renewal of this strategically important funding source and the continuation of the Save Our Indian River Lagoon Program. We commend Dr. Barker and Brevard County for conducting a remarkably effective and demonstrably transparent program to address years of neglect and abuse to the Indian River Lagoon. SORIL2 needs to be funded to complete its mission.

For more information regarding this colossal undertaking please visit the following websites:

https://www.brevardfl.gov/SaveOurIndianRiverLagoon/ProjectPlan

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