Rethinking the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program:

Challenges and Opportunities for Enhanced Ecosystem Restoration and Management

Duane E. De Freese, Ph.D. Executive Director

IRL Council IRLNEP

ddefreese@irlcouncil.org www.irlcouncil.org

Acknowledgements - Kathy Hill (AdCom Director) - Belheim “Frank” Sakuma (COO)

What We Know…

Very Complex System 3 Waterbodies Mosquito River Banana River Indian River

156 mi long High Biological Diversity Narrow/Shallow Poorly Flushed - 5 inlets to ocean Mostly Wind-Driven System

6 Counties/45 Cities 1.6 Million Residents Multiple Agency Oversight Economic Value ∼ $7.6 B (ECF &TC RPCs, 2016)

What We Know: Multiple Stressors

Habitat Destruction Habitat Fragmentation

Habitat Alteration Altered Watersheds

Stormwater Discharges Wastewater Discharges

Discharges to Groundwater Nutrient Loads Pollutant Loads Litter & Debris

Invasive Exotic Species Over Exploitation

Atmospheric Deposition Global Climate Change

Ocean Acidification Sea-level Rise

What We Know…

Map data from Penn Design Central Florida (2005) for myregion.org

Florida Will Continue to Grow

Analysis by the Late, Peter W. Harlem (2009) for the Space Coast Climate Change Initiative Southeast Environmental Research Center Florida International University

Global Climate Change and SLR will Complicate

Everything…

Current topography of Brevard County .

Image made from a DEM dataset from USGS (adequate at this scale).

For detail analysis LiDAR is a must.

Analysis by Peter W. Harlem

What We Know… In Northern & Central Lagoon

Chronic Issues & Stressors Driving System Change

Photo: Tim Kozusko. Haulover Canal, Indian River Lagoon. August 2012

We Know: Excessive Nutrients Fuel Algal Blooms

• 2011 Algal Superbloom • 2011 Secondary Bloom • 2012 Brown Tide • 2013 Brown Tide • 2013 Unusual Mortalities • 2015-2016 Green Bloom • 2016 Brown Tide • 2016 Extensive Fish Kill • 60% Loss Of Seagrass Beds

Blooms May Cause Fish Kills Low Dissolved Oxygen and/or Toxicity

2016/03/20 Fish Kill

Photo by Captain Alex Gorichky, Local Lines Charters

What We Know… In Southern Lagoon

Combination of Impacts

Chronic

Stressors ●

Acute Events ●

Connected Complex

Watersheds

Lake Okeechobee Seasonal Water Discharges

Billions of gallons discharged 1998, 2013 Lost Summer

2016 Lost Year

Bottom Line: Everglades Restoration is Connected to IRL Restoration

IRL-NEP Reorganization • IRL NEP Designated 1990 & Established in 1991.

o Host for 25 years - SJRWMD • 2011-2013 Events Drove Focus on IRL Water

Quality. • IRL County Collaborative (2013). • IRL Council created as a new Florida Special

District through Interlocal Agreement (Feb. 2015). • IRL Council Amended Interlocal Agreement (Sept.

2015) o Added Indian River Lagoon Coalition (formed May 2015 by

City of Sebastian, City of Fellsmere & City of Vero Beach). • IRL Council designated as new host of the IRL NEP

Program (January 8, 2016).

Leading Change - Network Governance

• Work across agencies, jurisdictions, and land ownerships.

• Exchange ideas, build relationships, identify common interests, explore options.

• Work together. • Solve problems of mutual

interest. • Recognize that we cannot

solve a particular problem or issue by working alone.

Modified from: Connecting people and places: the emerging role of network governance in large landscape conservation (Scarlett & McKinney. 2016. Front Ecol Environ 14(3): 116–125.

The scale & complexities of natural resource management require that individuals and organizations:

Government – Industry– Independent Sectors

IRL NEP Role Model for Network Governance

• EPA's National Estuary Program is a non-regulatory program established by Congress that works to improve the waters, habitats and living resources of 28 estuaries across the country.

• Each NEP consists of diverse local

stakeholders who develop and implement a long-term plan (called a CCMP) based on local priorities to guide their efforts.

• The NEPs use a collaborative and

consensus-building approach by involving community members in the decision-making process.

IRL Council/IRL NEP Funding • Annual contributions pursuant to 2015 IRL

Council Interlocal Agreement – U.S. EPA ($600,000) – SJRWMD ($500,000) – SFWMD ($500,000) – FL DEP ($250,000) – Volusia County ($50,000) – Brevard County ($50,000) – Indian River County Lagoon Coalition ($50,000)

(Cities of Vero Beach, Fellsmere & Sebastian) – St. Lucie County ($50,000) – Martin County ($50,000)

• IRL License Plate Revenues

• To attain and maintain water and sediment of sufficient quality to support a healthy estuarine ecosystem.

• To attain and maintain a functioning, healthy ecosystem which supports endangered and threatened species, fisheries, commerce and recreation.

• To achieve heightened public awareness and coordinated interagency management of the Indian River Lagoon ecosystem; and

• To identify and develop long-term funding sources for prioritized projects and programs to preserve, protect, restore and enhance the Indian River Lagoon.

Goals of the IRL NEP

Management Board

& Finance

Subcommittee

STEM Advisory

Committee

IRL Council

Citizen Advisory

Committee

IRL Council/NEP staff support all levels of the

Management Conference

Florida Sunshine Laws

Apply

IRL NEP Management Conference Structure “A Collaborative Approach to Network Governance"

Citizen Ambassadors

Contributing Scientists

and Engineers

IRLI2

(Innovators & Investors)

Committee interactions with the general community are for fact finding

and knowledge gathering only.

U.S. EPA FDEP SJRWMD SFWMD Volusia Brevard IR Coalition St. Lucie Martin

• Bob Ulevich (Chair Management Board)), Polymath Consulting Services, Inc.

• Jeff Beal, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission • Vanessa Bessey, FL Dep’t. Agriculture & Consumer Services • Blais, Quentin L. Hampton Associates • Bill Tredik, St. Johns River Water Management District • Tom Carey, Volusia County • Dr. Anthony Catanese, Florida Institute of Technology • Mark Crosley, Florida Inland Navigation District • Jim David, Citizen • Megan Davis, FAU/Harbor Branch • Stephany Eley, Space Coast League of Cities • Monte Falls, City of Vero Beach • Joseph Falzone, Financial Subcommittee • Chris Ferraro, FL Department of Environmental Protection • Layne Hamilton, USFWS, Merritt Island NWR • Clay Henderson, Stetson University • Linda Hudson, Treasure Coast League of Cities • Dianne Hughes, Martin County • Mitch Hutchcraft, SFWMD, King Ranch

• George Jones, Ocean, Research and Conservation Association • Bill Kerr, BKI, Inc. Consulting Ecologists • Kathy LaMartina, South Florida Water Management District • Vince Lamb, Citizen • Barbara Lenczewski, FL Department of Economic Opportunity • Mike Littell, US Sailing Center, Financial Subcommittee • Mike McCabe, Melbourne-Tillman Water Control District • Robert Musser, Canaveral Port Authority • Judy Orcutt, Citizen • Lynne Phillips, NASA/Kennedy Space Center • Marty Smithson (Vice Chair), Sebastian Inlet Tax District • Thomas Stratton, Financial Subcommittee • Laurilee Thompson, Brevard County Tourist Development Council • Charles Vogt III, Florida Department of Health • Joel Zwemer, Citizen, Financial Subcommittee • Captain Frank Catino (Chair) IRLNEP Citizens' Advisory Committee • Chuck Jacoby, SJRWMD, Chair, STEM Advisory Committee

IRL Council

Management Board

Jennifer DiMaio (Ex Officio)

Ed Fielding Sarah Heard (alt)

Chris Dzadovsky Frannie Hutchinson (alt)

Richard Gillmor Joel Tyson (alt)

Curt Smith Jim Barfield (alt)

Doug Daniels Deb Denys (alt)

Kevin Powers Kathy LaMartina (Alt)

Doug Bournique John Juliana (alt)

Drew Bartlett Tom Frick (alt)

UCF FAU/HBOI

UF

FFWCC

SJRWMD

SFWMD

SWCD

FIT

Stetson Bethune Cookman

ERAU

DSC

EFSC

IRSC

ORCA

MRC

FOS

TNC

HSWRI

Smithsonian

MDC

Independent Emeritus

Dr. Debra Woodall

Volusia County Staff

Indian River County Staff

Brevard County Staff

St. Lucie County Staff

Martin County Staff

Example: Economic Analysis

Example: Habitat

Restoration (NERT/ECERT)

Example: HAB/Nutrient

Task Force (IRL

Consortium)

Example: Climate

Change SLR Task Force

STEM Community Task Forces/Working Groups

(Fact-Finding) STEM AC

(Advisory to IRL NEP)

Science, Technology, Engineering & Monitoring Advisory Committee

IRL Council/IRL NEP Staff

Volusia County

(4)

Brevard County

(5)

Indian River County

(4)

St. Lucie County

(3)

Martin County

(4)

Citizens Advisory Committee

IRL NEP Community Alliance Volusia County Brevard County Indian River County St. Lucie County Martin County

IRL Council/IRL NEP Staff

• Katie Tripp • Jessie Wayles • Billy Rotne • Dennis

Dickerson

• Leesa Souto • Keith Winsten • Frank Catino • Mike Coneen • Sam Lopez

• Ken Grudens • Gary Ritter • Heather

Stapleton • Cynthia Vande

Voorde Hall • David Brigida • Dave Carlson • Billy Gibson • Becky Bruner • Zack Jud • Crystal Lucas • Jim Moir

Innovators & Investors Network IRLI2

IRL NEP PRIORITY…

CCMP – Full Revision Begins 2016-2017

1989

1996 2008

2008 CCMP Action Plans

• Point Source Discharges • OSDS • Fresh & Stormwater Discharges • Marina and Boat Impacts • TMDL Action Plan • Biodiversity • Seagrass Protection, Restoration &

Management • Wetlands • Impounded Marshes (removed in 2008 CCMP

Update) • Land Acquisition and Protection • Rare, Threatened & Endangered Species • Fisheries • Biotoxins and Aquatic Animal Health • Climate Change • Invasive Fauna and Flora • Public Involvement and Engagement • IRL CCMP Implementation • Data and Information Management Strategy • Monitoring • IRL Scientific Research • Environmental Incident Assessment &

Response • Economic Analysis

0

5

10

15

20

25

Mea

n Ra

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Stan

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Dev

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Board of Directors Ranking of CCMP Action Plans

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STEM Advisory Committee Ranking of CCMP Action Plans

0

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FW/S

W D

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Seag

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P…

TMDL

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Rese

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Poin

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Land

…

Wet

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…

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Inva

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Management Board Ranking of CCMP Action Plans

0

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Maximize Ecological Integrity

Minimize Water Quality Degradation

Maximize Habitat Quality/Quantity

Maximize Living Resources

Maximize: • Sediment quality • Natural hydrology and flow • Riparian buffers • Groundwater quality/quantity • Natural filtration

• Oysters • Floodplains

Minimize: • Toxics

• Pesticides • Household chemicals

• Nutrients • Atmospheric deposition

• Pathogens • E. Coli

• Eutrophication/Algal blooms • Hypoxia/Low dissolved oxygen • “Other” anthropogenic

contaminants • Petroleum

hydrocarbons • Thermal pollution • Trash/debris

• Sedimentation/Turbidity • Hydrologic modifications • Excessive water withdrawals

Maximize: • Natural habitats

• Wetlands • Submerged aquatic

vegetation • Upland/forests • Mangroves • Corals

• Water quality/quantity • Sediment quality

Minimize: • Environmental degradation

• Erosion • Scarring/laceration • Turbidity • Saltwater discharge

• Loss • Fragmentation • Dredging • Bulkheading/diking • Unsustainable land use

• Adverse effects from climate change/sea level rise

Maximize: • Habitat quality/quantity

• Nesting/nursery • “Desirable” species

• Fish • Shellfish • Birds • Vegetation

• Water quality/quantity • Endangered/threatened species

• Sea turtles • Manatees • Birds • Seals

• Sediment quality • Biodiversity

Minimize: • Resource degradation

• Diseases • Impingement • Invasive species

• Environmental degradation

Maximize Social Benefits

Maximize Beneficial Uses for the Public

Minimize Public Health Threats

Maximize: • Recreational potential

• Fishing/Shellfishing • Boating • Outdoor activities

• Open access • Heritage

• Fishing/harbor businesses

• Aesthetics • Native species

• Living resources • Fisheries • Biodiversity

Minimize: • Closures (beach, harvesting

areas)

Maximize: • Drinking water quality/quantity • Natural hazard protection

• Floods • Storms

• Access to safe housing

Minimize: • Adverse effects from seafood

contamination • Adverse effects from pathogenic

contamination • Adverse effects from surface

water/sediment contact • Adverse effects from climate

change/sea level rise

Indian River Lagoon NEP Objectives Hierarchy Framework

Fisher.William@epa.gov

William S. Fisher, Angelica Sullivan, Susan H. Yee US EPA Office Research & Development (2015)

Maximize Economic Opportunities

Maximize Shellfish/Finfish Harvesting

Maximize Other Economic Opportunities

Maximize: • Fisheries

• Resources • Habitat

• Water quality/quantity • Sediment quality

Minimize: • Shellfish bed closures

• Toxics • Pathogens

• Resource degradation • Overharvesting • Poaching • Other illegal activities

• Eutrophication/hypoxia

Maximize: • Tourism • Water quality/quantity • Industry • Agriculture • Shipping/Port

Minimize • Financial burdens/costs

• Erosion/sedimentation • Threats to livelihood • Storms/natural disasters

Maximize Stewardship

Maximize Stakeholder Engagement

Minimize Negative Effects from Human Activities

Foster Good Governance

Maximize: • Public education

• BMPs • Recycling/Disposal

• Volunteer opportunities • Schools/Students • Community

• Private-public partnerships • Sponsorship • Cooperation

• Open information availability • Incentives

Maximize: • Nonpoint source management

• Stormwater runoff • Pet waste

• Green marinas • Education • Disposal

• Best management practices • Agriculture/Industry • Dredging • Inspection/Maintenance

• Environmentally sound technologies

• Barrier aids • On-side sewage

treatment • Low-impact development

• Smart growth • Aesthetics

Maximize: • Effectiveness of CCMP • Effective point source

management • Wastewater treatment • Direct discharge

• Water quality management • TMDLs • No Discharge Zone

• Effective “green” land use management

• Zoning/permitting • Capable & effective “other”

programs • Enforcement • Regulation/Laws

• Funding • Knowledge base

• Monitoring/Research

Fisher.William@epa.gov

Objectives Hierarchy Framework

William S. Fisher, Angelica Sullivan, Susan H. Yee US EPA Office Research & Development (2015)

Indian River Lagoon NEP

Historic Moment for Local Leadership & Investment

Brevard County “Save Our Lagoon”

Half-Cent Sales Tax Referendum

$30 Million Annually

for 10 Years

Call to Action Remove Reduce Restore Rebuild Respond Report

Change is Inevitable But the Future is Hard to Predict

“My dear, here we must run as fast as we can, just to stay in place. And if you wish to go anywhere you must run twice as fast as that.”

Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking Glass (1871)

The Red Queen’s Race

Sense of Urgency – But Do We Have Clear Restoration Goals and Strategies to Reach Goals?

Think About a Preferred Future…

Vision

Imagine…Florida

A Global Leader in Clean Water Technology “The First Clean Water State in the Nation”

Dick Nunis “Blue Sky Dream” Quote Retired chairman of Walt Disney Attractions

Disney “Legend”

The Indian River Lagoon Makes Us All Neighbors

“One Lagoon – One Community – One Voice”