FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 19, 2016
BREVARD COUNTY RECEIVES ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR ONGOING INDIAN RIVER LAGOON RESTORATION
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, the Brevard County Commission approved an agreement with the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for an additional $800,000 in funding for a project to reduce
pollution, identify sources of muck and reduce muck inputs to the Indian River Lagoon. This latest
appropriation builds on the previous $20 million awarded in the past two years for the Brevard County Muck Dredging Project, for a total investment
of $20.8 million to date.
The recent algal bloom (brown tide event) in the northern Indian
River Lagoon and Banana River reinforces the importance of continued restoration work to improve water quality in the lagoon. This recently awarded
grant will benefit ongoing efforts to reduce nitrogen and phosphorous levels,
which can decrease the intensity and duration of algal bloom events.
"Eliminating current sources of muck and removing muck deposits are both crucial steps toward improving water quality and the overall health of the lagoon, including protecting fish and wildlife that call the Indian River Lagoon home," said
Drew Bartlett, DEP deputy secretary for ecosystem restoration. "Brevard County continues to demonstrate its commitment to
protect and restore the Indian River Lagoon and we look forward to continued collaboration to protect this important resource."
This newest Brevard County project will reduce sediment loading
to the most muck-laden segments of the lagoon as well as map and
prioritize legacy loads of muck already accumulated in critical areas of the
lagoon.
"Brevard County appreciates state assistance with projects to
restore health to the Indian River Lagoon - a local, state and national
treasure. Inadequate protections in the
past have led to harmful muck accumulation," said Brevard County Natural Resources Director Virginia Barker. "We are proud to be a partner in this important project."
Muck build-up is a result of nutrient pollution, sediment,
grass clippings, leaves and other organic matter entering the Indian River
Lagoon over time and accumulating at the bottom. As muck decomposes,
it consumes oxygen needed by fish and it releases nutrients that feed algae
blooms.
The department is working aggressively to
improve water quality in the lagoon by identifying additional
wastewater and stormwater projects to reduce the amount of nutrients going into
the lagoon and dredge projects to remove muck that exists in the bottom of the
lagoon. For the upcoming fiscal year, nearly $26
million from the Florida First budget will be invested in 10 water-quality
improvement projects in the Indian River Lagoon, which includes $21.5 million for the
continuation of the Brevard
County Muck Dredging Project – a key component of long-term lagoon
restoration.
| 
