PRESS RELEASE: April 16, 2015
~Technical meeting to discuss pollutant loading
tools and seagrass assessments ~
TALLAHASSEE
– The Florida Department of Environmental Protection invites stakeholders –
government representatives, scientists, environmental organizations,
agricultural operators, area residents and others – to attend a technical meeting
to discuss the restoration plan being implemented for Indian River Lagoon. The meeting's
purpose is to track assessments of the lagoon's biological health based on seagrass
populations and to provide an update on the water quality models that may be
used to calculate pollutant loading to the lagoon.
WHAT:
Indian River Lagoon
Restoration Plan Technical Meeting
WHEN:
Tuesday,
April 21
9:30
a.m. – noon
WHERE: City of Palm Bay Council Chambers
120
Malabar Road
Palm
Bay, FL 32907
“Communication with stakeholders is
essential to our efforts,” said Tom Frick, director of the Division of
Environmental Assessment and Restoration. “These meetings are an opportunity to have productive
conversations about restoration and assure cooperation moving forward.”
The Indian River Lagoon system has been impacted over time
by the influx of nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorous from
stormwater and wastewater, as well as by excessive freshwater inputs. The
department adopted a restoration plan in early 2013 to remove or reduce the
sources of nutrient pollution and promote seagrass growth.
The Indian River Lagoon system is a nationally renowned
estuary that supports remarkable biological diversity and recreational
resources. It is considered the most biologically diverse estuary in North
America and is recognized as part of the National Estuary Program. The lagoon
directly and indirectly generates billions of dollars in commerce and
recreation and supports thousands of jobs. Investing in projects and programs
to improve the lagoon’s water quality is vital to the environment, quality of
life and Florida’s economy.
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