Indian River Lagoon South Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan Outreach
Martin County Supports the Indian River Lagoon
Total Phosphorus Captured 120,000 100,000 42% 42% 41% 80,000 35% kg/yr 60,000 Natural Area Restorati Irrigation Land Conversion STAs Reservoirs 40,000 16% 20,000 11% 0 Alt 1 Alt 2 Alt 3 Alt 4 Alt 5 SP Alternatives
BMP Manual Introduction why important? Chapters for 5 areas Appendices Reference List Emergency Phone Nos. Non-emergency Nos. Spill Reporting Req. 177 pages tables, photos, diagrams 350+ distributed to growers, production managers, chemical company reps.
The Florida Legislature has declared Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs) to be the best available technology for achieving the interim goals of the Everglades restoration program Sec. 373.4592(1)(g) Florida Statutes
Indian River Lagoon Feasibility Study and EIS Components C-23/24 Basin Components 5. C-23/24 North Reservoir 6. C-23/24 South Reservoir 7. C-23/24 Stormwater Treatment Area 8. C-23/24 Stormwater Treatment Area and Canal 9. Allapattah Complex Natural Storage and Water Quality Area 10. Cypress Creek/Trail Ridge Complex - Natural Storage and Water Quality Area C-25 & Northfork & Southfork Basin Components 11. C-25 Reservoir 12. C-25 Stormwater Treatment Area 13. Southfork Natural Storage and Water Quality Area 14. Northfork Natural Floodplain Restoration C-44 Basin Components 1. C-44 West Reservoir 2. C-44 West Stormwater Treatment Area 3. C-44 East Stormwater Treatment Area 4. Palmar Complex - Natural Storage and Water Quality Area In Estuary Components 15. Muck Remediation (phase to coincide with reservoir construction) 16. Artificial Habitat
The Local Challenge LEADERSHIP GROUPS CITIZENSHIP CELEBRATIONS STATESMANSHIP
CERP / IRL Action Plan
Yearlong Planning Process Upper East Coast Symposium, Jan/04 State of the St. Lucie River and Estuary/IRL Science Session on Martin County s restoration efforts and poster display Washington Group hired February 10, 2004
March 24, 2004 Commissioners to attend PIR ACOE Division signing in D.C.
March 31, 2004 Commissioners attend PIR ACOE District approval, signing and transmittal to DC in WPB
March - April 2004 IRL update to the St. Lucie River Initiative and Rivers Coalition An IRL Slide Show CD is developed April 13, 2004 Indian River Lagoon Project Plan of Action authorized and funded by Commission
April 13, 2004 Everglades / Indian River Lagoon Champion Award established; Gov. Bush to be first recipient Friend of the Everglades Award program approved by the MC Commission
April 14, 2004 Rep. Foley visits MC to discuss Congressional procedures related to CERP/IRL Plan adoption
Media - Video Weekly updates at BOCC meetings on MCTV Week in Review - June 2003 to present IRL Call to Action Video airing - Feb 1-present Community Foundation-sponsored video began airing April 1, 2004.
Media - Print County Page CERP/IRL stories
Healthy Rivers Monthly Updates Continuing PIR updates to the Stuart News and Palm Beach Post Develop an information packet to be provided as requested Letters for Commission to request support from FDEP, Governor/President Bush for the IRL
Media Website MC staff updated MC homepage to include IRL information and related links Posted draft letter of support for the IRL to be used as a guide public participation Web page includes phone #s, addresses and e-mail addresses of appropriate legislative contacts
South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force Meeting Crystal Lake Elementary student letters
May 2004 Addressed Editorial Boards Newspaper coverage of County Commission DC trip Contact and coordinate with local City and County officials
June 2004 - Enlist Local Players Facilitate Stakeholder Meeting Establish the Community Executive Committee (CEC) Institute Call to Action coordination plan Prepare and maintain lists of influential individuals and groups for support of IRL Short-notice Grassroots strategy
June 2004 Call to Action Event Colleen Castille, Secretary FDEP Henry Dean, Executive Director, SFWMD Dennis Duke, Project Manager, USCOE Public pep rally for IRL project Solicited public support to contact legislators Grassroots strategy
July 2004 - USCOE Moves Forward The Chief s Report was signed and transmitted to Congress Congress will recess for the Month of August
September 2004 Alert news media of Call to Action efforts Initiate local grass roots email campaign CEC respond to requests by the legislative delegation and The Washington Group
Points of Interest The Kissimmee Federal Congressional Authorization occurred in October of 1992 The WRDA 2000 Congressional Authorization occurred October 31 st 2000
Rainfall August thru September 2004 (Avg. Rainfall 53 /Year) At Least one named storm in the Atlantic Basin continuously from August 25 October 2. There were 30 inches of rainfall in the Upper Kissimmee Basin. The wettest 2 month period in the Upper Kissimmee Basin since 1915. There were 21.5 inches District wide.
What We Can Expect It now appears more likely that nothing will happen on WRDA before Congress recesses on October 8 until after the election Now it appears that Congress will return around November 15 for a lame duck session Nobody knows for sure how long that session will last, but there is likely to be a big appropriations omnibus bill for FY 2005
What s Next The Committee Staff of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee continues to try to reach agreements on the controversial items such as beach renourishment and the Mississippi River. Senator Graham is exploring every opportunity that comes along and Rep. Foley will take action if anything happens in the Senate.
What We Were Doing Continue efforts to get communications to the leadership--frist, McConnell, Daschle and Reid. Communications from people who know them are most apt to be effective. Continue contacting the Governor to press for Senate action on WRDA. Outreach to the Press for stories calling on the Governor, the President and Senate leadership to let WRDA move.
What We Are Doing Working toward another referendum Continue contacting the Governor to press for Federal action on legislation Supporting District efforts to move forward with the C-44 project
Everglades Restoration Step 1: Indian River Lagoon South Component CERP Project Boundary IRLS Study Area Martin County St. Lucie County Okeechobee County
The Everglades Everglades 1900 Everglades 1973
Indian River Lagoon Estuary and St. Lucie River Are International and National Treasures Official Designations Sites in Lagoon International Wetlands of National Significance (Ramsar Convention 1993) National Estuary of National Significance (EPA National Estuarine Program 1990) America s First National Wildlife Refuge (President Roosevelt 1903) Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge (Congress 1989) Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (Congress 1963) St. Lucie Nearshore Reefs (nominated NOAA -Marine Sanctuary Program)
Uniqueness of Indian River Lagoon Estuary Location at the Temperate/Tropical Transition Zone in North America Cool water America s Zone of Highest Biodiveristy 2100 species plants 2200 species animal 800 fish species 310 bird species Warm water
The Problem
Large-Scale Changes to the Regional Hydrology Moderate Freshwater Flow to Estuary Too Much Freshwater Flow to Estuary
Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan RESTORE NATURAL FLOWS Reduce Damaging Flows to Estuaries
Damaging Flows to IRL The Indian River Lagoon South Indian River Lagoon St. Lucie River St. Lucie Canal Constructed 1916 to 1928 St. LucieInlet Coastal Reefs Lake Okeechobee
Major Freshwater Flow From Lake Okeechobee To Indian River Lagoon Estuary & Reefs Muck Sediment Discharged to Estuary
St. Lucie Estuary Indian River Lagoon Offshore Reefs Discharge Plume Leaving Inlet Low Quality Water Discharge Atlantic Ocean
The Consequences
Loss Fisheries Habitat (1) Seagrass Beds (2) Mangroves (3) Coastal Reefs
Direct Effects on Fisheries Economically Important Spotted Seatrout Reproduction Inhibited at Low Salinities in Estuary
Ulcers and Lesions on Striped Mullet Prevalent with Low Salinities & Discharges Potential Human Health Problems
Effects on Economics Economic Water-Related Benefits Martin and St. Lucie Counties TOTAL: $840 million Annually 1. Sales-$519 million/yr Marinas Boat sales/repairs Fishing tackle/bait/charters 2. Personal income- $206 million/yr 6,600 jobs supported Guide fishing Commercial fishing 3. Tourism-$115 million/yr Visitation to beaches/hotels Recreational fishing/boating
The Solution
Support the First Component of CERP Indian River Lagoon South Plan Reduce Damaging Flows to Estuaries