Cocktails & Conservation on Feb 25 and more news!
- IRNA
- 7 hours ago
- 8 min read
February 7, 2026 Weekly Newsletter
Join us on February 25 at 5 PM for a special presentation by Dr. Duane DeFreese, Executive Director of the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program (One Lagoon), as he shares new insights into the economic importance of the Indian River Lagoon.
With combined federal funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and NOAA, the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program has released its 2025 Economic Valuation Update. Conducted by The Balmoral Group, this research highlights how the lagoon supports local jobs, tourism, property values, and our overall quality of life. Discover why protecting the Indian River Lagoon needs to be both an environmental and economic priority.
Tickets are $40 per person and include admission to the program, passed hors d’oeuvres, and beer and wine. We thank you for your additional support to cover our costs as you check out.
RSVPs are required. Quail Valley is a gated club and if you do not pre-register, your name will not be with with the gate guard. If you can not purchase tickets online for some reason please reach out to us at Info@IndianRiverNA.com.
Never Miss What's Happening: Introducing IRNA's New Events Page
If you've been paying attention, you've probably noticed that IRNA has gotten a lot busier lately. Between lagoon walks, lunch-and-learns, advocacy trainings, and community meetings, we've got more going on than ever before! But it also meant our old way of announcing events wasn't quite cutting it anymore.
Too many people were telling us they'd missed an event they wanted to attend, or they couldn't remember when something was happening. We heard you.
That's why we're excited to introduce our brand-new Events Page at indianriverna.com/event-list.
Now you can see all our upcoming events in one spot. No more digging through old emails or scrolling back through Facebook. Just bookmark the page and check back whenever you want to know what's coming up.
The page shows you what's happening, when, where, and how to participate. You'll also be able to sign up and pay for tickets in an easier way than ever. Whether you're a longtime member or just getting involved with environmental advocacy in Indian River County, this will make it easy to plug in and get active.
Check out the new events page and see you out there!
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Join the IRNA in building a stronger voice for our community. Your support empowers us to safeguard our natural resources, demand transparency from elected officials, and champion the changes we need to see—together, we can create lasting impact.
Urban Sewage, Rural Soil: How Biosolids Could Threaten All of Florida
A WUFT investigation reveals a troubling pattern across Florida: rural counties receive far more Class B biosolids than they generate, as dense urban areas run out of space to dispose of their wastewater waste. While marketed as beneficial fertilizer, biosolids increasingly raise concerns about PFAS contamination (not to mention all of the other unknown pollutants like pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, etc.), the so-called "forever chemicals" linked to serious health risks. We're grateful Indian River County's Board of County Commissioners has passed a moratorium on the land application of biosolids.
The Urban-to-Rural Pipeline
When Crescent City residents discovered Volusia County waste would be spread near Lake Crescent, they organized, hired environmental experts, and successfully fought the permit. But as Florida State researcher Elio Fernandez noted, "rural residents aren't included in the planning process." Most communities lack the resources or political clout to mount such a defense.
Water Quality at Stake
The implications for the Indian River Lagoon and other waterways (like Blue Cypress Lake!) are serious. Biosolids applied to sandy Florida soils can leach PFAS and other contaminants into groundwater and surface waters. A recent EPA study found elevated human health risks in areas where biosolids were applied to farmland.
Notably, in 2007 the state banned biosolids application in the St. Lucie River watershed and other South Florida waters. This shows that the state knows many ecosystems are too sensitive (and politically important) to risk. Yet many communities around the state are literal dumping grounds.
A Growing Problem
As one wastewater consultant (and a children's book) bluntly put it: "Everybody poops." Florida's booming population generates ever-more sewage, while available land application sites shrink. Without stronger regulations or treatment technologies, rural counties could face mounting pressure to accept urban waste.
For a county already fighting to protect its waters from septic systems, stormwater runoff, and development impacts, biosolids represent another potential blow to the lagoon—and to rural communities' right to clean water and local control. We've got to do something about this problem or before we know it we'll be swimming in poop.
Class B vs. Class AA Biosolids: Why Both Are a Problem
Class B biosolids receive basic pathogen treatment and are spread on rural land under loose restrictions. Tthis is the bulk of Florida's dumping problem. Class AA biosolids get additional treatment to meet stricter pathogen standards, allowing them to be sold as "fertilizer." Sounds better, right? It's not. Neither class is tested or treated for PFAS, pharmaceuticals, heavy metals, or other emerging contaminants. The "AA" label just makes the same toxic cocktail easier to market. Until we address what's actually in the biosolids (not just bacteria levels) no classification makes them safe for our soils or waterways.
What is the Legislature Doing About Biosolids This Session?
Not enough. Two bills claim to address this issue but they fall short.
SB 1474/HB 1285: The 50-Mile Loophole (Link) This bill blocks new Class B septage (Biosolids) dumping permits only if there's a government treatment facility within 50 miles that can handle it. So that means if you live more than 50 miles from such a facility, you're still fair game. Rural Florida's most remote communities get left behind.
SB 1294/HB 1245: "Bona Fide" Sales of Waste (Link)This bill regulates Class AA biosolids and prevents over-application. That's good. But it also creates a pathway to rebrand and sell waste as "fertilizer" and "soil amendments" as long as there's a legitimate sale.
The problem? Neither bill addresses PFAS contamination. Neither stops the fundamental problem of using rural land as urban Florida's toilet.
The state already proved it can protect sensitive waters. They banned biosolids in some areas south of our watershed back in 2007. Why don't the rest of us deserve that same protection?
TAKE ACTION:Call or email your state legislators about SB 1474 and SB 1294. Tell them:
Close the 50-mile loophole and that the whole state deserves protection
Address PFAS contamination head-on (this is a BIG one!)
Support real solutions, not just rebranding waste as fertilizer
State Elected Officials Contact Information:
Sen. Erin Grall
Phone: (850) 487-5029
Email: Grall.Erin.Web@flsenate.gov
Address: 3209 Virginia Avenue, Suite A149, Fort Pierce, FL 34981
Rep. Robbie Brackett
Phone: (850) 717-5034
Address: Suite B2-203, 1801 27th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960
Governor Ron DeSantis
Phone: 850-717-9337
Address: The Capitol, 400 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001
Local Nature Informs Florida-Friendly Landscaping (Vero Beach Magazine) - Florida-Friendly Landscaping promotes sustainable, water-conserving yard practices that support local ecosystems like Pelican Island and North Sebastian Conservation Area, encouraging homeowners to connect with and protect the natural beauty of Indian River County.
Vero Beach updates zoning for Live Local rules (Hometown News) - Vero Beach City Council unanimously voted to incorporate updates from Florida’s revised Live Local Act into its residential zoning rewrites, enabling expanded affordable housing options—including through religious institutions—while raising concerns about neighborhood compatibility and potential religious discrimination.
'Trump Homes' and why Florida is only going to see more 'sprawl' (VoteWater.org) - A wave of pro-sprawl legislation in Florida, often justified by the push for affordable housing, aligns with emerging plans like “Trump Homes” to rapidly build entry-level housing—raising concerns about weakened regulations, environmental harm, and unchecked development.
Developers seek major changes to Chesser’s Gap commercial site in Sebastian (Sebastian Daily) - Developers of Chesser’s Gap in Sebastian are seeking approval to significantly reduce the commercial portion of the site and rezone over half the property for a new 29.43-acre residential townhouse subdivision, diverging from the original 2004 plan.
Vero Beach breaks several weather records during cold snap (Vero News) - Vero Beach shattered four cold weather records during an Arctic cold snap, with temperatures dropping as low as 26 degrees and wind chills reaching 10 degrees, prompting freeze warnings and weather advisories through early Tuesday.
Week 4: What Trees & Palms Can You Plant?
Indian River County’s Landscape & Buffer Ordinance tree rules are meant to give every property a healthy, long‑lasting canopy—not just a few lonely sticks in the ground. That's why this week's Breaking Down the Code explains how the rules focus on canopy trees, understory trees, and how palms can (and cannot) substitute for them. (Ord. No. 90-16, § 1, 9-11-90; Ord. No. 2007-012, § 1, 3-20-07). This week we're looking at Section 926.15.
What Is A Canopy Tree?
A canopy tree is a tree that will grow tall and wide enough to provide real shade and a broad crown. The code states that canopy trees must be at least about 12 feet tall with a minimum trunk diameter and crown spread so they already look like trees, not saplings.
Examples of suitable canopy trees for unincorporated Indian River County include live oak, laurel oak, cabbage palm (when used in clusters for credit), slash pine, red maple, dahoon holly, and Southern magnolia, with different species suited to wetter low areas or higher, sandy uplands. At least half of the required canopy and understory trees must be native species from the County’s approved list, which supports local wildlife and reduces long‑term water use.
Where And How Many Trees?
The code also addresses spacing so canopies can develop fully without crowding. Full, broad‑crown trees (like oaks) are typically spaced farther apart than narrow trees (like some hollies or cypress), and mixed plantings must respect minimum distances between different canopy types. This keeps a future canopy from becoming a tangled “tree traffic jam.”
Understory trees—smaller trees with a narrower spread—are used where space is tighter or beneath taller canopies. They also have minimum height and trunk size at planting, and palms used as understory trees can only make up a portion of the understory requirement.
How Do Palms Count?
Palms are allowed and can count toward tree requirements, but only in specific ways. Clusters of at least three native palms (such as sabal palms) can be used to equal one canopy tree, and certain large specimen palms with enough clear trunk and overall height can count as one or even two canopy trees. However, palms used this way are limited to no more than about one‑third of the total canopy tree requirement, so palm‑only landscapes will not satisfy the rules.
The key points are straightforward:
Use true canopy trees that grow tall and wide enough to shade (think of all the benefits these bring- habitat, shade, water conservation).
Choose mostly native species from the IRC’s approved list. If you're not sure, ask.
Respect spacing so trees have room to mature.
Use native palms as accents and limited substitutes, not as the entire “tree plan.”
These guidelines help ensure each property develops a strong, attractive tree canopy that benefits both the site and the wider community. For further clarity, here is a link to the full IRC Landscape & Buffer Ordinance.
WHO DECIDES?: Lawmakers push bills to override local communities (VoteWater.org) - Multiple Florida bills this legislative session aim to strip local governments of authority over land use, water quality, and development regulations, centralizing decision-making in Tallahassee and undermining community control under the guise of promoting affordable housing.
Captains For Clean Water Action Alert: Another Disastrous Bill in the Florida Legislature (Flylords Mag) - Florida's proposed SB 290/HB 433 includes a clause that could suppress public criticism of harmful agricultural practices by enabling costly lawsuits against citizens and organizations, posing a serious threat to clean water advocacy and Everglades restoration efforts.
Florida commercial fishermen catch these most common fish to eat (TCPalm) - Commercial fishing on Florida’s Treasure Coast, now a shrinking industry due to development pressures, still commonly yields nine key species: king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, pompano, mullet, blue crab, stone crab, sheepshead, spiny lobster, and flounder.
Plume (The Bitter Southerner) - Once devastated by plume hunting, water mismanagement, and development, the Everglades is slowly rebounding through the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, with wading birds like herons, spoonbills, and flamingoes returning as symbols of a fragile but recovering ecosystem vital to South Florida’s water and wildlife.
Why too much phosphorus in America’s farmland is polluting the country’s water (The Conversation) - Decades of excessive phosphorus fertilizer use on U.S. farmland have led to severe soil accumulation that now fuels widespread water pollution, algal blooms, and dead zones, prompting researchers to develop better testing methods to guide smarter, more sustainable nutrient management.
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