HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-13-07RESOLUTION NO. R -13 -07
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN, INDIAN RIVER COUNTY,
FLORIDA, RECOGNIZING THE NEED FOR ACTION TO ADDRESS THE
HEALTH OF THE INDIAN RIVER LAGOON ECOSYSTEM; SUPPORTING
THE ACTIVITIES OF THE INDIAN RIVER LAGOON COALITION; PLEDGING
THE COOPERATION OF THE CITY OF SEBASTIAN IN EFFORTS TO FIND
SOLUTIONS TO RESTORING THE HEALTH OF THE INDIAN RIVER
LAGOON; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the Indian River Lagoon is a 156 mile long estuarine ecosystem that
contributes $3.7 billion to the coastal economy of Indian River County and four additional other
counties; and
WHEREAS, high nutrient inputs to the Indian River Lagoon result from stormwater
releases, runoff, seeping septic systems, and sewage treatment plant overflow events along the
156 miles of the ecosystem; and
WHEREAS, these pollutants continue to degrade the Indian River Lagoon ecosystem,
leading to declining habitat quality for fish and wildlife, including dolphins, sea turtles, manatees
and birds; and
WHEREAS, such high nutrient inputs have also detrimentally affected seagrass beds in
the Indian River Lagoon, which seagrass beds are the biological foundation of this ecosystem
and a prime indicator of the health of the Indian River Lagoon; and
WHEREAS, the significant loss of these seagrass beds, as well as mangroves, oyster
reefs and wetlands, affects the viability of both lagoon and ocean fisheries as well as habitat for
birds and other wildlife; and
WHEREAS, the continuing degradation of the Indian River Lagoon ecosystem indicates
that past and current efforts to address these effects may not be sufficient; and
WHEREAS, success in reversing this trend will require the leadership, support and
cooperation of federal, state, county and city governments in cooperation with non - profit
organizations, corporations, small businesses, and individuals; and
WHEREAS, the Indian River Coalition was envisioned to enable such a cooperative
effort aimed at the revitalization and restoration of the health of the Indian River Lagoon
ecosystem; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Sebastian, Florida desires to express support
for the Indian River Lagoon Coalition and pledge the cooperation of the City of Sebastian in
working to correct the aforementioned problems affecting the Indian River Lagoon.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA as follows:
Section 1. The foregoing "Whereas" clauses are hereby adopted and incorporated
herein.
Section 2. The City Council of the City of Sebastian hereby expresses its support for
the efforts of the Indian River Lagoon Coalition and pledges cooperation of the City of Sebastian
in the goal of finding solutions and developing and implementing a viable plan for successfully
restoring the health of the Indian River Lagoon.
Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect upon its adoption.
The foregoing Resolution was moved for adoption by Bob McPartlan
seconded by Andrea coy , and upon, being put to a vote, the vote was as
follows:
Mayor Bob McPartlan aye
Vice Mayor Don Wright aye
Council Member Jerome Adams aye
Council Member Andrea Coy aye
Council Member Jim Hill aye
The Mayor thereupon declared this Resolution duly passed and adopted this 10th day of
April 2013.
CITY OF SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA
By: /V''r I-A4
Bob McPartlan, Mayor
ATTEST:
Sally A. Maio MC
City Clerk
Approved as to Form and Content for
Religap by the City of Sebastian Only:
Robert A. Ginsburg, CityAKttorney
2
Indian River Lagoon Coalition
"A Cali to Action"
Our Indian River Lagoon is on life support, dying before our eyes. This is a
call to develop a unified plan to work together to restore the Lagoon before
it's too late.
The Indian River Lagoon's seagrass beds are the biological foundation of the
156 mile long estuarine ecosystem which supports the coastal economy of 5
counties. This ecosystem is in dire need of our directed, concerted
assistance. We recognize and commend significant efforts by government,
individuals and organizations that have contributed to the knowledge of the
lagoon and its varied habitats, increased awareness and worked to correct
some of the problems.
Unfortunately, continued degradation of the Lagoon indicates that those
efforts have been insufficient. Success in turning this trend will require the
leadership and financial support of federal, state, county and city
governments in cooperation with non - profit organizations, corporations,
small businesses and individuals. Government leadership is essential to
solve this problem because it has the power to construct improvements,
regulate, fund, enforce, acquire land, mitigate and provide services.
Research and monitoring of the Lagoon provide data that demonstrate the
gravity of the problem, but simultaneously can guide us towards future
solutions necessary to revive the Lagoon.
1. Seagrass coverage is the prime indicator of the health of the Lagoon (1).
During a two year period (2009 -11) there has been an estimated 43%
loss in area covered by seagrass which is equivalent to approximately 53
square miles (2).
2. The Lagoon contributes $3.7 billion to the coastal economy annually (s).
Seagrass productivity contributes between $10- 20,000 annually per acre
per year in economic benefit (4). Based on seagrass losses over the last
two years the economic loss is approximately $340 million annually (s).
3. Pollutants are degrading the Lagoon. Lesions on fishes and sea turtles,
flesh- eating fungus on dolphins and fish kills are increasingly common,
demonstrating declining habitat quality (6).
4. Habitat loss of seagrass beds, mangroves, oyster reefs and wetlands is
affecting the viability of lagoon and ocean fisheries, as well as bird and
manatee health and will continue to decline unless action is taken!
5. High nutrient inputs to Lagoon waters result from storm water releases,
runoff, seeping septic systems and overflow events at sewage treatment
plants. The cumulative results of those events reduce water quality
creating a chain of negative impacts on the Lagoon, including recent
algae superblooms.
The health of the Indian River Lagoon is a foundation of economic viability
and social wealth for the Treasure and Space Coasts. An overall vision and
viable plan to restore the Lagoon back to health is the top priority. We the
undersigned believe a successful Lagoon remediation will require
government leadership and community commitment by all. We cannot delay
- the future of the Lagoon is in our hands and must be addressed on our
watch.
This document is a "Call to Action" for our governments to accept this
leadership role.
Individual: Bob McPartlan, Mayor
Organization:
City of Sebastian
Contact Person: Al Minner, City Manager
Address: 1225 Main Street, Sebastian, FL 32958
Telephone: (772)58 -5330 E -Mail: aminner @cityofsebastian.org
Signature Date 4/10/13
Return to one of the following:
John Orcutt Doug Graybill
4665 Pebble Bay South 500 Palm Island Lane
Vero Beach, FL 32963 Vero Beach, FL 32963
pulex(a)bellsouth.net Doug CabGraybiIlGroup.com
References:
1. IRL NEP, Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Plan. 2008. Indian River Lagoon
assessment and analysis update, final report, contract no. 24706. Indian River Lagoon National
Estuary Program, Palm Bay, Fl.
Steward, J.S., R. Brockmeyer, R. Virnstein, P. Gostel, P. Sime, and J. VanArman. 2003. Indian
River Lagoon Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Plan, 2002 Update. St. Johns
River Water Management District, Palatka, Florida and South Florida Water Mangement District,
West Palm Beach, Florida
2. St John's Water Management District; preliminary data
3. Environmental Protection Agency, National Estuary Program, 2007
4. Dennis Hanisak, PhD, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, personal communication
5. 33,920 acres of seagrass loss in the IRL from 2009 -2011 x $10,000 /acre /year
6. Edith Widder, PhD, Ocean Research and Conservation Association, personal communication