Why IRLNEP is an Acronym You Need to Know and more!
- IRNA
- 12 minutes ago
- 13 min read
May 31, 2025 Weekly Newsletter
Federal Investment Brings Life Back to Indian River Lagoon
The seagrasses in the shallow waters of the Indian River Lagoon are slowly coming back to life, thanks in no small part to a transformational federal investment that demonstrates the vital role of programs like NOAA and the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program (IRLNEP) in protecting our local ecosystems.
Through a three-year NOAA Transformational Habitat Grant, IRLNEP is leading an ambitious 15-project initiative spanning the entire lagoon system. Indian River County sits at the heart of this restoration effort, hosting much of the seagrass restoration work, 32.8 acres of the total 47.3 acres planned throughout the lagoon.
Where Federal Funding Meets Local Need
Two key sites in Indian River County show how federal investment translates into tangible environmental recovery for our area. At Big Slough, located at the northern end of Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, restoration work began in early May with a goal of restoring 12.8 acres of seagrass meadows. Come June, work will expand to Preacher's Hole, just north of the Wabasso Causeway and also within Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge (PINWR), targeting an additional 10 acres of restoration.
These aren't random locations chosen for convenience. Both sites tell a story of resilience and loss that multi-agency partnerships are uniquely positioned to address. Big Slough and Preacher's Hole once supported robust seagrass meadows, vibrant underwater forests that served as nurseries for fish, feeding grounds for manatees, and natural filters for water quality. The devastating algal blooms of 2011 and 2016 wiped out these critical habitats, leaving behind sparse, disconnected patches that struggle to recover on their own.
The Science of Strategic Restoration
What makes these sites ideal for restoration reveals the sophisticated approach that partnerships bring to environmental challenges. Both locations now enjoy consistently improved water quality and are naturally sheltered from destructive wave energy. Water clarity has reached levels that can support seagrass survival, but experts have identified a crucial missing piece: insufficient natural recruitment and the lack of a seed bank.
This is where the partnership between IRLNEP, Indian River County Natural Resources Lagoon Division, and Sea & Shoreline demonstrates the power of coordinated federal investment. Sea & Shoreline has been cultivating seagrass in specialized nurseries in southern Brevard County and Fort Pierce, growing plants from permitted collections of seagrass fragments, mimicking nature's own reproduction methods.
Indian River County's Natural Resources Lagoon Division brings critical local expertise to this partnership, drawing on years of research and monitoring documented in the county's Lagoon Management Plan to guide site selection and restoration techniques.
The restoration technique reflects scientific precision and practical wisdom. Teams first lay out plots marked with PVC poles and reflective tape, then install herbivory exclusion devices to protect vulnerable new growth from grazing. Within these protected areas, they plant the five largest seagrass plugs, then fill gaps between devices with smaller plugs, creating a network designed to grow into continuous, functioning meadows.
Beyond Individual Projects: Ecosystem Thinking
The restoration strategy targets a fundamental ecological principle: connectivity. Rather than scattered, vulnerable patches, the goal is to create continuous seagrass beds that provide comprehensive habitat for marine life. Dense, connected seagrass meadows offer superior cover and food sources for fish, invertebrates, and juvenile species. They're also more resilient to storms and grazing pressure—creating stable, long-term habitat rather than fragmented areas vulnerable to complete loss from even minor disturbances.
This systems approach exemplifies what federal environmental programs do best: thinking beyond immediate, local fixes to address underlying ecosystem health. The three-year monitoring program will track success through monthly assessments in the first year, then quarterly monitoring for two additional years, comparing protected versus unprotected areas and measuring overall restoration success against surrounding natural areas.
Federal Programs as Environmental Lifelines
The NOAA Transformational Habitat Grant embodies a federal commitment to local environmental stewardship that survived recent budget scrutiny. Programs like NOAA and IRLNEP provide the scientific expertise, long-term perspective, and sustained funding that complex environmental restoration requires.
These aren't abstract bureaucratic initiatives. They're direct investments in the health of communities, economies, and ecosystems that depend on thriving natural resources. The Indian River Lagoon supports recreational and commercial fishing, tourism, property values, and quality of life throughout the Treasure Coast. When federal programs invest in lagoon restoration, they're investing in economic resilience and community sustainability.
IRLNEP, as a federally designated National Estuary Program, brings together diverse partners who might otherwise struggle to coordinate such comprehensive restoration efforts. The program facilitates collaboration between federal agencies, local governments, research institutions, and environmental organizations—creating synergies that amplify the impact of every restoration dollar.
Supporting Continued Success
As restoration work proceeds at Big Slough and prepares to begin at Preacher's Hole, the broader message is clear: federal environmental programs deliver results that benefit local communities directly. A third project at Bee Gum Point will add another 10 acres of seagrass restoration, along with enhanced fish nursery habitat and mangrove forest restoration.
For those interested in following this important work, IRLNEP maintains active social media presence and publishes quarterly newsletters with regular NOAA project updates. The organization's 2025 Annual Report, due in December, will provide comprehensive documentation of restoration progress.
The seagrass taking root in Big Slough and soon in Preacher's Hole demonstrates the irreplaceable value of federal programs that think long-term, invest in scientific solutions, and support local communities in stewarding the natural resources that sustain us all.
To learn more about IRLNEP's restoration work or subscribe to project updates, follow their social media on Facebook or learn more on their website here.
Photo Credit IRLNEP
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Your HOA Is Not the Boss of the Lagoon
The law is crystal clear: Your HOA cannot force you to maintain a water-guzzling St. Augustine grass lawn when you want to plant a Florida-friendly landscape. Despite what some HOA boards might tell you, Florida law gives homeowners the unequivocal right to choose sustainable, native landscaping over thirsty turf grass.
The Legal Foundation: State Law Trumps HOA Rules
Florida Statute 720.3075(4)(b) couldn't be more direct in constraining HOA power. The law explicitly states that "Homeowners' association documents, including declarations of covenants, articles of incorporation, or bylaws, may not prohibit or be enforced so as to prohibit any property owner from implementing Florida-friendly landscaping." Any HOA clause attempting to restrict Florida-friendly landscaping is "null and void as against the public policy of this state."
Florida Statute 373.185 defines Florida-friendly landscaping as "quality landscapes that conserve water, protect the environment, are adaptable to local conditions, and are drought tolerant." The legislature declared this serves a "compelling public interest" and that HOA participation in water conservation is "essential."
Even if your HOA covenants explicitly require "St. Augustine grass only," those restrictions are legally unenforceable when they conflict with your right to plant a Florida-friendly landscape.
What Your HOA Cannot Do
They cannot ban native plants or drought-tolerant landscaping. Any HOA rule demanding "lawns must be St. Augustine grass" is legally unenforceable under Florida law.
They cannot fine you for brown grass during water restrictions. Florida Statute 373.185 specifically prohibits any deed restriction that conflicts with "water shortage orders" or water conservation regulations.
They cannot use "neighborhood standards" to force high-water landscaping. While HOAs can regulate aesthetics, they cannot use uniformity arguments to effectively ban Florida-friendly landscapes.
Indian River County Backs You Up
Local ordinances reinforce the environmental urgency of your landscaping choices. While the 50% native vegetation requirement and turfgrass limits in Indian River County and Indian River Shores apply primarily to new developments, they clearly signal the direction our community is moving to protect water resources and the lagoon. If county policy now prohibits new homes from being built with water-guzzling lawns, it makes no environmental or ethical sense for existing HOAs to demand the very landscaping practices our local governments are trying to phase out.The county's fertilizer restrictions from June through September further underscore this shift away from chemically-dependent turf. Choosing Florida-friendly landscaping isn't just your legal right under state law, it aligns with the same conservation standards already required for new growth. In this context, outdated HOA turf mandates are out of step with the future of our region.
The Reality: HOAs Are Learning to Adapt
Courts have consistently ruled that HOA covenants cannot override state water conservation policy. Legal experts note that most HOAs are "smart enough to realize this isn't a good case to litigate" once they understand the statutory protections. The Florida Bar observes that homeowners can successfully challenge HOA fines for Florida-friendly landscapes "on the basis that the covenant itself is invalid under state law."
Your Strategy: Exercise Your Rights Confidently
Start with education. When submitting your landscape plan, include references to Florida Statutes 720.3075 and 373.185. Point out that your design meets state water conservation goals and county requirements.
Follow procedures but know your rights. While HOAs can require application processes and reasonable maintenance standards, they cannot ultimately deny a well-designed Florida-friendly landscape.
Frame it as compliance. Your Florida-friendly landscape isn't rebellion – it's compliance with state and local environmental policies that HOAs are legally required to support.
Push back when necessary. If your HOA denies a reasonable plan or demands excessive water use, cite the statutory protections. Florida law makes such restrictions unenforceable.
The Bottom Line
Florida's legislature prioritized water conservation over HOA aesthetic preferences. The statutory language is unambiguous: HOAs "may not prohibit" Florida-friendly landscaping, and any attempt to do so is "null and void."
You don't need permission to exercise a right guaranteed by state statute. In most cases, once HOA boards understand that state law prohibits water-intensive landscaping requirements, they work with homeowners rather than fight a battle they cannot legally win.
The lagoon needs less fertilizer runoff, Florida needs water conservation, and you have the legal right to landscape in harmony with those realities. Your HOA may have controlled your lawn in the past, but Florida law makes it clear: when it comes to sustainable landscaping, the lagoon's needs come first.
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How Vero Beach, Stuart, Fort Pierce became focus of 100 years | Opinion (TCPalm) - Reflecting on the centennials of Indian River and Martin counties, two columnists explored their shared history of seeking local autonomy, examined present-day growth challenges, and encouraged community engagement to shape an uncertain but impactful future.
Descendents of citrus families keep industry alive here (Vero News) - Despite decades of devastating setbacks, multigenerational citrus families in Indian River County are sustaining and adapting Florida’s iconic citrus industry through passion, innovation, regenerative farming, and vertically integrated operations, holding onto hope for a revival.
Visit these historic landmarks in Indian River County (TCPalm) - Indian River County’s rich history is reflected in preserved sites like McKee Botanical Garden, the Vero fossil dig, Jungle Trail, the Sebastian Inlet, and landmarks tied to the Brooklyn Dodgers' spring training, offering glimpses into its cultural, scientific, and recreational heritage.
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Florida DOH advisory warns of Lake Okeechobee algae at C-44 Canal (TCPalm) - A health advisory was issued for the C-44 Canal in Martin County after cyanobacteria was detected near Port Mayaca, prompting warnings to avoid water contact as officials await test results for potential toxins.
Water and Lagoon Committee Update: Taking Action on Multiple Fronts
The IRNA Water and Lagoon Committee met on May 22nd to advance several important initiatives aimed at improving water quality and conservation in our community.
The committee partnered with Clean Water Coalition to address ongoing challenges with the state's Basin Management Action Plan (BMAP) program. Together, we've identified critical issues including inadequate enforcement of existing regulations, insufficient project funding, and flawed monitoring systems that fail to accurately track pollution sources.
We've sent a joint letter to state officials outlining specific improvements needed to make the BMAP program more effective. The letter focuses on three priority areas: better data collection and monitoring, stronger enforcement of current regulations, and increased funding for nutrient reduction projects.
The committee is developing recommendations for mandatory hot water recirculation systems in new residential construction. Our analysis shows these systems can save individual households approximately 4,300 gallons of water over three years while providing instant hot water. With a typical payback period of three years, these systems represent both an environmental and economic benefit for homeowners.
We're working with county officials to expand requirements for these conservation measures beyond new condominiums to include all new single-family homes and retrofits when water heaters are replaced.
We're also monitoring the implementation of new nitrogen-reducing septic systems, which are now required by state law for homes without access to municipal sewer systems. These advanced systems help reduce nutrient pollution entering our waterways.
The committee is actively supporting the development of the St. Sebastian River Greenway, a collaborative project involving the Marine Resources Council, Indian River Land Trust, and the City of Sebastian. This initiative will create connected conservation areas and recreational trails while protecting critical habitat along the river.
We're also working with county environmental staff to ensure proper enforcement of coastal and waterway protection regulations, particularly regarding stormwater management and mangrove preservation in sensitive areas.
Our committee continues to focus on practical, achievable solutions that protect water quality while supporting responsible development. Through partnerships with other organizations and ongoing dialogue with local officials, we're working to ensure that environmental protection remains a priority in our community's growth.
The Water and Lagoon Committee meets monthly and welcomes community input on water quality issues. For more information about our initiatives or to get involved, please reply to this email or contact the IRNA here.
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Palm Beach County commissioners have approved a controversial limestone mining operation that environmental groups warn could threaten one of Florida's most critical Everglades restoration projects.
The Southland Water Resource Project allows U.S. Sugar Corp. and Florida Crystals to blast rock from 8,600 acres over 34 years, located just 1,000 feet from the $4 billion Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir currently under construction. This federal reservoir is designed to capture excess Lake Okeechobee water and prevent the toxic algal blooms that have devastated coastal communities and marine ecosystems.
Environmental advocates argue the repeated industrial blasting could damage the reservoir's infrastructure or disrupt its operations. They're also concerned about water treatment capacity, since the proposed quarry would eventually store 40 billion gallons but rely on existing treatment facilities already struggling to meet current demands.
The mining companies claim their project would provide additional water storage to complement restoration efforts. Supporters, including local mayors, point to potential jobs and economic benefits for rural communities in the Everglades Agricultural Area.
However, critics say the county rushed approval before proper technical review by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and South Florida Water Management District. While both agencies have expressed cautious interest, their assessments remain preliminary. A December letter from the water district stated the project would "likely provide viable alternative technologies" – far from a definitive endorsement.
The project now moves to federal and state agencies for further review. Environmental groups plan to continue opposition at upcoming hearings, arguing the approval process should wait for comprehensive studies on potential impacts to the neighboring restoration project.
For many, this controversy represents a broader tension between private development and science-based restoration in one of the world's most unique ecosystems. The outcome may determine whether Florida prioritizes long-term environmental recovery or allows profit-driven projects to shape the Everglades' future.
If you haven't already, sign the Friends of the Everglades petition, Rescue the River of Grass, here.
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More Than 1 in 4 Cars Sold Globally in 2025 Expected to Be EVs: IEA Report (EcoWatch) - More than one in four cars sold globally in 2025 are expected to be electric as EV sales surge—driven by falling battery costs, strong growth in China, and long-term affordability—putting the market on track to surpass 40% of global car sales by 2030, according to the IEA.
Engineers discover a new class of materials that passively harvest water from air (ScienceDaily) - Engineers have discovered a new class of amphiphilic nanoporous materials that passively harvest water from air by condensing vapor in nanopores and spontaneously releasing it as stable surface droplets without any external energy input.
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Florida bill may raise flood insurance, block rebuilding (Miami Herald) - A Florida bill awaiting Governor DeSantis’ signature could freeze post-hurricane building code upgrades, increase flood insurance costs for tens of thousands, and weaken local authority over storm resilience efforts, sparking concern among officials and environmental advocates.
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