As Thanksgiving nears, the Indian River Neighborhood Association reflects with gratitude on the vibrant community we serve and the passionate supporters like you who make our mission possible. Since 2004, your dedication has fueled our efforts to protect the natural beauty and quality of life in Indian River County.
Together, we’ve achieved so much this year:
Secured vital funding for stormwater utility improvements in Vero Beach.
Championed cleaner waters through advocacy for septic-to-sewer conversions.
Educated residents on crucial issues like the fertilizer blackout period.
Published a free weekly newsletter—a lifeline for thousands of households.
And that’s just the beginning! These accomplishments are a testament to our shared determination to protect the health of the Indian River Lagoon and preserve the unique charm of our community.
Yet, challenges remain. With your support, we can continue driving meaningful change and empowering our neighbors.
This year, we’ve reached out to past supporters and hope you’ll join or renew your commitment to the IRNA. Your contributions don’t just fund our initiatives; they ensure our community stays informed, inspired, and engaged through resources like our newsletter and magazine—always free to the public because of donors like you.
Your generosity allows us to:
Keep the newsletter free, delivering essential updates to every resident.
Host enriching events like our “Lunch and Learn” series—mark your calendar for January 29 with Eve Samples! More here.
Advocate for responsible growth and environmental stewardship at all levels.
Maintain the operational backbone that keeps these efforts thriving.
This Thanksgiving, as we count our blessings, we invite you to help sustain IRNA’s mission for years to come. You can contribute online here or send a check to:
Indian River Neighborhood Association
PO Box 643868,
Vero Beach, FL 32964
Don’t forget—your gift may be tax-deductible and could help meet your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from your IRA. Our Tax ID is 20-2631557.
With your help, we can build on 2024’s successes and tackle the challenges ahead with resilience and unity.
From all of us at the IRNA, we wish you a warm and joyous Thanksgiving. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey!
Programming note: We will not be sending out our weekly newsletter next week in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. See you in December!
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Clean Water Advocates Sound Alarm Over
Chicken Facility in St. Johns River Headwaters
Clean water advocates gathered recently in Vero Beach to address concerns about an unpermitted high-density chicken farm under construction in West Indian River County, near Blue Cypress Lake. Representatives from groups like St. Johns Riverkeeper, IRNA Clean Water Coalition (CWC), local Audubon chapters united to demand accountability.
The facility, classified as a Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO), poses serious environmental risks. Experts warn that chicken waste, laden with nitrogen, phosphorus, and harmful bacteria, could exacerbate toxic algae blooms and pollution levels already impairing the St. Johns River and Blue Cypress Lake.
“This facility should not be allowed to operate without required permits and protective measures,” said Lisa Rinaman, St. Johns Riverkeeper. Judy Orcutt, CWC President, added, “Our county worked hard to stop the harmful practice of sewage sludge spreading—this threatens to undo that progress.”
Advocates are urging the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to enforce permitting regulations and ensure comprehensive oversight. The groups also called for independent water quakity monitoring to protect downstream communities.
If you would like to read more, check out this press release.
Drivers, beware: 17th St. Bridge closing Dec. 2-6 for repairs (Vero News) - The 17th Street Bridge in Vero Beach will close from December 2 to December 6 for critical repairs as part of a $22.3 million rehabilitation project expected to last until 2028, with traffic rerouted to the Merrill P. Barber Bridge during the closure.
Birders use radar to track huge flocks of migrating birds (Florida Today) - Migratory songbirds flocking to Florida this fall can be tracked using advanced radar technology like BirdCast, which provides real-time migration maps to aid birders and conservationists in understanding and protecting these annual movements.
John's Island beaches getting makeover from next dune restoration project (TCPalm) - Indian River County is addressing severe beach erosion caused by recent hurricanes through a $6.6 million renourishment project in Sector 4, aiming to restore dunes with sand and native plants while protecting ecosystems and preparing for sea turtle nesting by April 2025.
Tornado expert helps explain strange Hurricane Milton damage | Opinion (TCPalm) - Debris from the October 9 tornado in Indian River and St. Lucie counties likely originated from severely damaged areas like Spanish Lakes, with the extent of damage varying based on construction standards, highlighting the importance of updated building codes and storm-resistant designs.
Feeling like fall: Temperature could dip into 40s this weekend (TCPalm) - A significant cold front is bringing cooler, drier weather to Florida, with morning temperatures dropping to the mid-40s and highs in the upper 60s to low 70s through the weekend, marking the first true Florida fall conditions this year.
Florida snow flower what it is, what to do (TCPalm) - "Florida snow," the thick bloom of Florida pusley resembling a dusting of snow, is flourishing as cooler weather arrives with a cold front, offering Floridians a whimsical take on winter without the need for shovels or heavy jackets.
The Marine Resources Council's 2024 health assessments for the Central and Southern Indian River Lagoon (IRL) reveal a complex environmental landscape. Indian River County is in both the Southern and Central Lagoon. While both regions face challenges, their conditions vary across key health indicators.
Harmful Algal Blooms: The Central IRL experienced two harmful algal bloom events between August 1, 2023, and August 1, 2024, with a median chlorophyll-a concentration of 5.5 µg/L, earning an "okay" rating. In contrast, the Southern IRL reported no harmful algal bloom events during the same period, with a median chlorophyll-a concentration of 4.1 µg/L, resulting in a "good" assessment.
Seagrass Coverage: Both regions face significant challenges in seagrass health. The Central IRL's seagrass presence remains sparse, leading to a "very poor" assessment. Similarly, the Southern IRL experienced a slight decline in seagrass coverage from 2023 to 2024, earning a "poor" assessment.
Sediment Health: Data from the Smithsonian Fort Pierce Marine Station and the Marine Resources Council indicate good sediment conditions in both regions, offering hope for future seagrass growth.
Wastewater Spills: From 2023 to 2024, the Central IRL watershed experienced 52 wastewater spills, with nine directly releasing into the lagoon. The Southern IRL watershed had 79 spills, with seven releasing into the lagoon. These incidents ranged from 50 to over a million gallons, including untreated, partially treated, and treated wastewater.
Water Quality: The Central IRL's overall water quality is rated as "poor," with "good" ratings for pH and dissolved oxygen, "okay" for chlorophyll-a, "poor" for turbidity and total phosphorus, and "very poor" for total nitrogen. The Southern IRL's water quality is assessed as "okay," with "good" ratings for pH, dissolved oxygen, and chlorophyll-a; "okay" for total phosphorus; and "poor" for turbidity and total nitrogen.
View the report for the whole lagoon here and you can zoom in on various sections.
Improving the health of the Indian River Lagoon is no small task, but it’s a challenge that cannot be ignored. While the current report paints a picture of mixed results, it also underscores the importance of collective action and targeted restoration efforts. From addressing wastewater spills to promoting seagrass recovery and monitoring water quality, every small improvement brings us closer to a healthier lagoon. The work ahead requires the commitment of our entire community—residents, policymakers, scientists, and advocates alike.
Florida inspector general shocked by falsified water test reports (WPBF) - Palm Beach County's inspector general uncovered over 130 falsified water test documents after a 2023 E. coli contamination, implicating four employees, including former compliance manager Anthony Williams, with recommendations for potential criminal charges and ongoing oversight to ensure corrective measures.
Change at the top at FDEP - and that could spell trouble (VoteWater.org) - The resignation of Florida DEP Secretary Shawn Hamilton and the appointment of Alexis Lambert, who lacks environmental experience and has ties to political maneuvering, raises concerns about the future of pollution regulation, clean-water initiatives, and the controversial state parks development proposal under her leadership.
Manatee found in Florida pond over a mile from open water due to hurricane flooding (Orlando Weekly) - A 2-year-old, underweight manatee named Gully was rescued from a remote Florida pond over a mile from open water after Hurricane Helene's storm surge left it stranded, highlighting the need to report manatees in distress during the peak manatee season starting November.
Sewage and Fertilizer Threaten Florida Manatee's Main Food Source, and Survival (FlaglerLive) - Florida manatees face increased malnutrition and mortality due to the loss of seagrass in the Indian River Lagoon, driven by nutrient pollution from septic systems and fertilizers, with solutions requiring improved water quality, habitat protection, and community education.
Climate change made all of this year's Atlantic hurricanes so much worse (Grist) - Climate change significantly intensified this year's Atlantic hurricanes, boosting wind speeds by up to 28 mph, elevating storm categories, increasing rapid intensification events, and exacerbating rainfall, all fueled by record-high ocean temperatures caused by human-induced warming.
What the Earth’s Recent Heat Uptick Could Mean for the Climate Fight (Inside Climate News) - A sudden 0.2°C spike in global temperatures since 2023, driven by human-caused greenhouse gas emissions, marine heatwaves, and possibly the Tonga eruption, highlights the urgency of stronger climate action as extreme weather events intensify and the planet nears a dangerous 3°C warming trajectory.
How Animal Tracking Data Can Help Preserve Biodiversity (Environmental News Network) - Advances in animal tracking technology are enabling ecologists to gather detailed, long-term data on individual animals, providing critical insights into threats like pollution, climate change, and habitat loss to better inform conservation efforts and combat biodiversity decline.
Our Fall 2024 IRNA News Magazine has officially hit the streets! Packed with timely articles on critical issues like stormwater management, climate change, and the latest on local conservation efforts, it’s a must-read for anyone invested in Indian River County’s future. We’re excited to share it around town and hope it sparks conversations about environmental stewardship and responsible growth.
If you didn’t receive a copy, don’t worry! Contact us, and I’ll make sure you get one. Better yet, click here to access the magazine online and explore its insights.
Happy reading, and thank you for supporting our shared mission for a healthier, more sustainable community!
How flood risk affects home values (ScienceDaily) - Homes in flood zones sell at discounted prices, with a 10.8% reduction in areas with a 1-in-100-year flood risk, but these discounts fail to offset high insurance costs and the increasing likelihood of severe flooding due to climate change, highlighting the need for better risk understanding and preparation.
Study tracks PFAS, microplastics through landfills and wastewater treatment plants (ScienceDaily) - A study of Illinois landfills and wastewater treatment plants found that while most microplastics are retained and 99% are removed from wastewater, both microplastics and PFAS accumulate in biosolids, which are often used as agricultural fertilizer, reintroducing these contaminants into the environment and highlighting the need for upstream pollution prevention.
Researchers Develop Crystals to Harvest Water from Air, Inspired by Desert Life (Environmental News Network) - Researchers have developed Janus crystals, inspired by desert life, that efficiently harvest water from fog without energy input by utilizing surfaces with hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions to capture and transfer airborne moisture, offering a sustainable solution for water collection in arid regions.
Bee Alert: Pesticides Pose a Real Threat to Over 70% of Wild Bees (Environmental News Network) - A study from the University of Ottawa highlights that over 70% of wild bees, particularly ground-nesting species crucial for pollination, face significant risks from soil pesticide residues, emphasizing the need to reform pesticide safety standards to protect biodiversity and food systems.
To Cope with Extreme Heat, Paris Will Swap Parking Spaces for Trees (Environmental News Network) - Paris plans to replace 60,000 parking spaces with trees and create over 700 acres of green space by 2030 as part of a climate plan to combat extreme heat, alongside initiatives like cooling centers, car-free zones, and reflective roofs on public buildings.
NASA satellites reveal abrupt drop in global freshwater levels (ScienceDaily) - Satellite data reveal that Earth's global freshwater levels dropped significantly starting in 2014, driven by severe droughts and exacerbated by climate change, which intensifies evaporation and reduces groundwater replenishment, raising concerns about long-term water scarcity and its global impacts.
Utilities Are Spending a Lot for Power Lines We May Not Need, and Spending Less on Ones We Do Need (Inside Climate News) - Utilities are prioritizing smaller local transmission projects over larger regional ones essential for clean energy transitions due to easier regulatory approval, raising electricity costs for consumers and highlighting a need for stricter oversight to ensure investments address broader public and regional grid needs.
Want your voice to be heard? Use this link to easily contact elected officials—from your city council to the President. Your voice can make a real impact. While the IRNA may occasionally prompt you to contact specific officials about urgent issues, we keep this list handy for your convenience. Can't find who you're looking for? Just let us know; we're here to help connect you with the right people.
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