FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 25, 2015
STATE AND LOCAL FUNDS AWARDED TO THE
LAKE WORTH LAGOON INITIATIVE
~Funds will help restore and
protect Lake Worth Lagoon coastline ~
PALM BEACH COUNTY —State and local governments
have committed a combined $4,150,000 to the Lake Worth Lagoon Initiative,
an interagency organization that protects Lake Worth Lagoon coastal habitats. With these extra funds, the Lake
Worth Lagoon Initiative will expand its restoration of seagrasses, mangroves and oyster reef habitats
along with the construction of stormwater control projects. Coastline monitoring will assess the lagoon‘s environmental health, including its water
quality, and track the restoration and natural construction projects along the
shoreline.
“This initiative will provide long-term environmental, recreational and economic
benefits to the region,” said DEP Secretary Jon Steverson. “Improving water quality in Lake Worth Lagoon will support the wildlife
population and provide an ecotourism destination that
supports fishing and kayaking activities.”
The Lake Worth Lagoon
estuary, stretching for 20 miles along the shores of 13 municipalities from
North Palm Beach to Boynton Beach, provides habitat for many endangered and
threatened species. The lagoon’s living
shorelines provide important habitat for marine organisms, feeding areas for
birds and shelter for a variety of wildlife. Mangrove habitat serves as a
nursery for juvenile fish and traps sediments in its roots, providing a natural
defense for coastal erosion.
“We have seen success in monitoring water quality, restoring seagrasses and planning new protection projects under the Lake Worth Lagoon Initiative,” said South Florida Water Management District Governing Board member Melanie Peterson. “This work highlights the effectiveness of the lagoon partnership, and the additional investment will help ensure we continue to deliver results for a significant South Florida waterway.”
Human activities have degraded lagoon habitat and water quality, and runoff
from residential and commercial growth around the lagoon continues to stress
this valuable urban estuary. Along with educating residents about the lagoon's
importance, the Lake Worth Lagoon
Initiative has focused on restoring the
shoreline to a healthier, more natural state. Grant funds will allow the
following initiative projects to continue and expand:
- Artificial
Reef Projects along the Peanut Island Reef Complex, located in the city of
Riviera Beach, will create reef habitat to benefit marine life and enhance
recreational snorkeling and diving. These reef structures will provide
important marine refuge during prolonged high-volume inflows of freshwater
into the Lake Worth Lagoon system.
- The
Grassy Flats Restoration Project will create more than 12 acres of seagrass,
mangrove, salt marsh and oyster habitat in a degraded area of the lagoon.
The creation of extra wetland will restore critical estuarine habitat for
fisheries and wildlife and improve water quality.
- Living
Shoreline Projects along West Palm Beach Currie Park, Bryant Park and Old
Bridge Park will create new mangrove, Spartina cordgrass and oyster reef habitats
that were removed as a result of development. Restored shoreline will
provide an important marine refuge during prolonged high-volume freshwater
inflows into the Lake Worth Lagoon system. A natural living shoreline
will absorb waves and boat wakes, prevent erosion,
increase the life span of the seawalls and enhance recreational fishing
opportunities.
- Various
monitoring projects will track the health of lagoon habitats, including
the populations of oyster, seagrass and fish in the area.
“The
habitat and water quality benefits that have accrued to the Lagoon are simply
amazing,” said Palm Beach County Commissioner Paulette
Burdick. “Fisheries
have rebounded,
and birds are nesting where they haven’t been seen in decades. Snorkelers,
kayakers and bird watchers are enjoying the sights. It is wonderful to see what
this partnership is accomplishing.”
The Lake Worth Lagoon
Initiative is an interagency collaboration that includes the Florida Department of
Environmental Protection, Palm Beach County, the South Florida Water Management
District and the Florida League of Cities. Through this program, over $17 million in
state funds and $59 million in local funds have been dedicated to restoring Lake
Worth Lagoon to date.
|