We stay busy, even during a global pandemic!

• At the urging of the IRNA and other environmental groups, the City of Vero Beach adopted a Stormwater Utility to better address flooding and reduce lagoon pollution. Vero Beach joined the hundreds of municipalities that have Stormwater Utilities across the state.\

• We have been advocates for the STEP System in Vero Beach and for Septic to Sewer conversions in other parts of the county.

• We monitored and members were involved with the Three Corners Project and visioning as it moved through the City of Vero Beach.

• We worked with the City of Vero Beach in regard to moving their wastewater treatment plant off of the lagoon. This is a work in progress but is set to happen.

• IRNA and other environmental groups were critical in the county implementing a Biosolids moratorium. We are also thankful that local landowners and farmers were not interested in applying this refined sewage sludge to their lands.

• At one point, the county was considering a pipeline under the lagoon with treated wastewater for John's Island's golf courses. Due to environmental concerns, we were instrumental in this project being switched to canal water, not wastewater, which contains fewer nutrients for potential pollution.

• Expanding the Oslo Boat Ramp was a major concern several years ago. The whole community came together to stop this, and the IRNA was proud to be a part of it.

• Before 2014 there were no real fertilizer ordinances in our area. Since then the municipalities and our county have adopted a blackout period during the summer rainy season. These laws are getting a little older and we're looking at if they need to be tweaked or improved.

• The Growth Awareness Committee was a major player during the boom years of development before the 2008 Recession. Regulations that they helped implement are still on the books today and are helping to manage the growth we're experiencing.

• When All Aboard Florida was challenged all the way to the Supreme Court, IRNA was there with an Amicus Brief doing our best to protect our communities. The train company won in court, but our county has received some critical safety upgrades that we otherwise may not have gotten.

• Conserving land is one of the most effective ways to stop pollution. The IRNA was a major supporter of the 2022 Land Acquisition Bond on the ballot.

• Graves Brothers Annexation - this was one of the most controversial annexations in recent memory. Sebastian wanted to annex over 1000 acres outside the Urban Service Area. In 2018, this was stopped by dedicated advocacy by the environmental community and legal action. It has recently risen again larger than ever. We are keeping a close eye on this and hope to reach an equitable conclusion with the city and land owner that takes the environment into account.

• The IRNA made the trek from being a political organization that endorsed candidates to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. This restructuring helped us to be more effective in policy as there were fewer 'bad feelings' from candidates we may not have supported. It was a big change for us, allowing us to do more. Since we are a 501(c)(3), all donations are tax-deductible.

• And we've done so much more over the years. We will continue working for a bright future for our community. Won't you join us?