Environmental Strategic Planning, Big Cypress Preserve Update, and more
- IRNA
- 4 days ago
- 10 min read
August 16, 2025 Weekly Newsletter
Environmental Groups Unite to Help
Shape Indian River County's Economic Development
Environmental organizations across Indian River County have collaborated on a comprehensive response to the county's Economic Development Strategic Action Plan (EDSAP), demonstrating how grassroots advocacy can influence local growth policies.
The process began on June 30, 2025, when Commissioner Laura Moss invited environmental stakeholders to participate in a roundtable discussion. The meeting focused on balancing economic development with environmental conservation as the county prepares its strategic plan for accommodating population growth.
Following the initial meeting, the Indian River Neighborhood Association and Clean Water Coalition took the lead in consolidating feedback from attendees and reaching out to the broader environmental community. Through a collaborative approach, we compiled input from multiple organizations into a comprehensive summary document outlining key environmental concerns and recommended solutions.
The process was deliberately inclusive and non-committal, allowing organizations to contribute ideas without endorsing the entire document or committing to specific advocacy positions. This approach encouraged broader participation and ensured diverse perspectives were captured in the final recommendations.
The resulting document addresses critical issues including septic system pollution, municipal annexation challenges, water utility constraints, and the need for sustainable development incentives. Key recommendations include focusing growth within existing urban areas, implementing density transfer programs, and creating climate resilience planning.
After gathering additional input from environmental groups who couldn't attend the original meeting, the consolidated recommendations were submitted to Commissioner Moss and the county's consultants.
Moving forward, this document could serve as a foundation for a more definitive "collective voice" from the environmental community. We are actively encouraging other local environmental organizations to formally endorse this summary of concerns and solutions by presenting it to their respective boards for approval.
Our aim is to foster a unified stance, ensuring county leadership is fully aware of the environmental community's priorities and can no longer claim ignorance of these critical issues, as we've seen occasionally in the past. This collaborative effort, which we envision as a "Declaration of Principles," is open to ongoing edits and additions, and we believe public participation remains key to its success. We will keep you updated on its progress.
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Last week (about halfway down) we discussed the County undergoing Comprehensive Plan amendments at a hearing on Tuesday. The Commission voted to postpone the final vote on the Comprehensive Plan review until the September 9 meeting. This is great for community members advocating for a more thorough process.
Citing a rushed timeline, the commissioners agreed that key advisory boards needed more time for a proper review. During the meeting, it was clear that our efforts are gaining traction. The County Administrator acknowledged IRNA's letter, and another organization publicly supported our proposed changes. Many residents spoke about the importance of protecting wildlife, conserving water, and addressing development's impact on infrastructure and affordability.
The decision to slow down the process to get it right is a productive outcome that we should all be pleased with.
Federal Judge Halts Construction at
Everglades Detention Center Over Environmental Concerns
A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order halting construction at an immigration detention facility built in Florida's Everglades, citing potential environmental violations. U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams granted the 14-day order last week following testimony from environmental groups challenging the facility known as "Alligator Alcatraz."
The lawsuit, filed by Friends of the Everglades, the Center for Biological Diversity, Earthjustice, and the Miccosukee Tribe, argues that federal and state authorities violated the National Environmental Policy Act by proceeding without required environmental impact studies or public input. The facility, constructed on a mostly abandoned airstrip within Big Cypress National Preserve, houses up to 5,000 immigration detainees in tents and caged cells.
Environmental experts testified that the detention center threatens the fragile Everglades ecosystem. Wildlife ecologist Randy Kautz warned that bright lights, increased traffic, and human activity could displace endangered Florida panthers from approximately 2,000 acres of habitat. With only 120 to 230 panthers remaining statewide, any habitat loss contributes to the species' vulnerability.
Wetlands ecologist Christopher McVoy raised concerns about 20 acres of new asphalt paving, stating that nutrient-rich runoff could have "drastic impacts" on the low-nutrient Everglades ecosystem. The facility's industrial lighting is visible from 15 miles away despite the area's dark sky designation.
Government lawyers argued that federal environmental laws don't apply because Florida built and operates the facility, despite federal oversight of immigration detention. Judge Williams expressed skepticism about this jurisdictional argument, questioning "who's running the show" and suggesting the arrangement might deliberately circumvent environmental requirements.
The temporary restraining order, which paused new construction and paving, is set to expire soon. Environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe went to court this past week to argue for a broader, more permanent preliminary injunction to halt all operations. Judge Williams concluded a multi-day hearing on Wednesday without issuing a decision, and is currently deliberating on the matter. Her ruling is expected before the temporary restraining order expires, and we will update you as we learn more.
Vero moves forward (cautiously) with marina expansion (Vero News) - The Vero Beach City Council is moving forward with the design and permitting of a $15 million expansion of its city marina, which will remain a municipal operation for the time being despite some interest in privatization.
FWC proposes changes to manatee zone boat speeds, Indian River County (TC Palm) - The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is proposing a series of changes to manatee zone boat speeds in Indian River County that would both increase and decrease speed limits in different areas to better protect manatees from boat-related injuries and deaths.
Vero, county revisit discussions about who should pay for lifeguard services (Vero News) - Discussions between Vero and Indian River County have resumed regarding who should pay for lifeguard services at city beaches, a topic that has new relevance after a recent change in state law now permits the use of tourist tax dollars for lifeguard salaries.
Brightline: Ridership up, but financials way off track (Vero News) - Brightline's financial health is in question as the company lost $549 million in 2024 despite a 22 percent increase in ridership on its South Florida to Orlando route, and it has been identified as the deadliest major passenger railroad in the United States, with a report citing 182 fatalities since 2017.
Vero man jailed on charges of unlawfully taking a gopher tortoise (TCPalm) - A man from Vero Beach was arrested for the unlawful taking of a gopher tortoise after a deputy found the animal in his vehicle on July 4. We at the Indian River Neighborhood Association suggest you do not do this...
‘Wreck’-ing crew: Hordes splash and dash in patriotic pilgrimage (Vero News) - More than 1,000 people participated in the annual Swim to the Wreck event on July 4th, paddling and swimming out to the historic shipwreck of the SS Breconshire off Sexton Beach, with an onshore after-party at Costa d’Este benefiting the United Way of Indian River County.
Vos answering council’s call of duty with aplomb (Vero News) - According to Ray McNulty, Vero Beach City Councilman Aaron Vos has quickly become a respected and diligent official, known for his thorough research on city matters and his steadfast defense of constitutional rights, including his recent vocal support for a fellow council members.
Florida's Senate Bill 180:
A Devastating Attack on
Community Planning Rights
Florida's Senate Bill 180, passed during the 2025 legislative session under the guise of hurricane recovery, represents one of the most dangerous assaults on local planning authority in decades. What lawmakers marketed as storm relief legislation has become a developer's dream and a community nightmare.
The bill's most destructive provisions go far beyond hurricane recovery. Section 28 retroactively invalidates any local land development regulations adopted since August 2024 that could be deemed "more restrictive or burdensome," a vague standard that essentially gives developers veto power over community planning decisions. Even more alarming, this preemption affects every single county in Florida and extends until October 2027, creating a three-year window where meaningful growth management becomes nearly impossible.
The real-world consequences are already devastating. Orange County's Vision 2050 plan, developed through years of public input and community engagement, was recently rejected by the state. Cities like Deltona and New Smyrna Beach now question whether they can enforce basic flood protections. Most troubling, developers are weaponizing SB 180 to sue communities that try to protect wetlands, limit sprawl, or preserve rural character, even when these measures were approved by voters.
The legislation grants unprecedented legal standing to "any person" to challenge local planning decisions, regardless of whether they live in the affected community or own property there. This provision essentially invites frivolous lawsuits while entitling successful challengers to attorney's fees, creating a financial incentive to attack local governance.
Perhaps most insidiously, SB 180 operates under the pretense of helping hurricane recovery while actually preventing communities from implementing the very protections that could reduce future storm damage. The bill blocks local governments from strengthening flood standards, improving buffer requirements, or directing development away from vulnerable areas, exactly the opposite of what climate resilience demands.
A comprehensive legal analysis by respected Florida land use attorney Richard Grosso and 1000 Friends of Florida confirms our worst fears: this legislation effectively dismantles Florida's land-use planning framework. Given the frequency of hurricanes in Florida, the law could perpetually freeze all development standards in place, preventing communities from adapting to changing conditions or protecting public safety.
SB 180 represents a betrayal of home rule principles and democratic governance. It strips local communities of their right to make decisions about their own future while empowering special interests to override the will of voters. As Florida faces mounting challenges from climate change, rising seas, and unaffordable insurance, this law removes our ability to meet those challenges head-on.
The time for action is now. Florida's economic and environmental future depends on repealing or substantially rewriting this ill-conceived legislation before it causes irreparable harm to our communities.
Deep Dive into herbicides: Can Florida cut back on all the spraying? (VoteWater.org) - The South Florida Water Management District uses a variety of herbicides, including glyphosate, to manage invasive plants, but some of these chemicals may pose environmental and health risks, as studies have found a "chronic presence" of glyphosate in Florida waters and in manatees, while the herbicide's breakdown also releases phosphorus, which can contribute to harmful algae blooms.
2025 Marjory Stoneman Douglas Award won by TCPalm reporter Tim O'Hara (TCPalm) - A TCPalm environment reporter received the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Award for Excellence from the Florida Lake Management Society for his extensive reporting on aquatic resource issues.
WATCH: Florida Gov. DeSantis in Melbourne to Announce Completion of Brevard Canal Restoration to Improve Lagoon Water Quality (Space Coast Daily) - Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was in Melbourne to announce the completion of the Crane Creek/M-1 Canal restoration project, a water quality initiative designed to protect the Indian River Lagoon and restore natural freshwater flows to the St. Johns River by removing thousands of pounds of nutrients from stormwater.
Learning the Ropes with YSF Community Sailing (Vero Beach Magazine) - Of the approximately 300 children participating in YSF Community Sailing each year, about half come from underserved homes, and 27 percent are from minority families, with Hispanic and African American children being equally represented. The program also serves around 40 homeless children and 35 special needs sailors, offering free lessons to those who cannot pay.
This year, South Florida got one of its driest summers on record (Sun-Sentinel) - South Florida is experiencing one of its driest summers in over 30 years, with a stronger-than-normal Bermuda High pressure system in the Atlantic pushing daily thunderstorms to the west coast, leaving Palm Beach and Broward counties well below their normal rainfall totals for the year.
The Storm That Made the Treasure Coast (Vero Minute) - The name "Treasure Coast" originates from a 1715 hurricane that sank a Spanish fleet carrying gold, silver, and jewels, with much of its cargo washing ashore for years after the disaster.
Public Input Needed: 2050 Transportation Plan Faces Budget Constraints
The Indian River County Metropolitan Planning Organization is seeking public input as it develops the 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan, the region's most important transportation planning document that will guide investments for the next 25 years.
The MPO faces significant challenges as construction costs have risen while revenues have declined. Since federal law requires the plan to be "cost feasible," these budget constraints are forcing difficult decisions about which projects can be included. Officials emphasize that if residents care about specific transportation projects, now is the critical time to speak up.
Three public workshops are scheduled for August 21st to gather community input. The morning session begins at 9:45 AM at the Gifford Youth Achievement Center on 43rd Avenue in Vero Beach. The afternoon workshop starts at 2:00 PM at North County Library on Sebastian Boulevard in Sebastian. The evening session convenes at 5:30 PM at County Administration Building B on 27th Street in Vero Beach.
The MPO stresses that this is the community's transportation plan, but meaningful public engagement is essential to ensure it reflects local priorities within available budget constraints. You can fill out a survey here. Residents unable to attend can email their input to MPO@indianriver.gov to participate in shaping the region's transportation future.
By changing our diets now, we can avoid the food chaos that climate change is bringing (The Conversation) - Shifting to plant-rich diets that still include modest amounts of meat and dairy could free vast areas of farmland, lower food costs, boost biodiversity, and help stabilize societies against climate change–driven food price shocks and supply disruptions.
In 'Hope Dies Last,' author Alan Weisman chronicles the people fighting for the planet (Mongabay) - Alan Weisman travels to over a dozen countries to profile scientists, activists, Indigenous leaders, and innovators tackling environmental crises with bold, often unconventional solutions, stories that transformed his initial despair into conviction that determined action can still change humanity’s ecological trajectory.
The case for hope in environmental journalism (Mongabay) - Environmental journalism must balance unflinching coverage of ecological loss with stories of real-world solutions, showing how people facing the crisis are also creating paths forward, sustaining hope as a necessary tool for action and resilience.
Tracking sea turtles is a long, slow process that just might keep them alive (Grist) - Decades-long monitoring of loggerhead sea turtles along the U.S. Southeast coast—tracking nests, temperatures, and DNA—helps scientists understand how climate change–driven warming and rising seas may affect turtle sex ratios, nesting sites, and long-term survival, even though the full impact won’t be clear for decades.
The State of Our Public Lands This Summer Is Anything but Sunny (Sierra Club) - Severe budget cuts, staffing losses, and policy changes under the Trump administration have left U.S. public lands agencies struggling with reduced services, low morale, and political interference, prompting volunteers and grassroots advocates to step in to support preservation and push back against the damage.
In a Warming Atlantic, Hurricanes Increasingly Arrive in Groups (Yale E360) - A new Nature Climate Change study finds that warming Atlantic waters are making it increasingly common for multiple hurricanes to form at the same time, raising risks of back-to-back coastal impacts. While the Northwest Pacific once saw the most storm clusters, the Atlantic is now a growing hotspot, with the odds of clusters there outnumbering those in the Pacific increasing tenfold over the past 50 years.
To Florida's Miccosukee Tribe, the Lands Around Alligator Alcatraz Are Sacred, Pythons and All (Inside Climate News) - The Miccosukee Tribe and environmental groups are suing to halt the new “Alligator Alcatraz” migrant detention site in the Everglades, arguing it was built without required environmental review and threatens sacred tribal lands, water, wildlife, and a massive restoration effort.
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