State of Florida DEP Agreement Number OEP02Project Planning Document and Work Plan • July 20th, 2020
The Indian River Lagoon (IRL) is a diverse, shallow-water estuary stretching 156 miles along 40% of Florida’s east coast. The lagoon is an important economic resource to the state, providing a total estimated annual economic value of $3.7 billion, supporting 15,000 full and part-time jobs and providing recreational opportunities for 11 million people annually. In spring 2011, an algal “super bloom” occurred throughout most of the Brevard County and Indian River portion of the lagoon. Approximately 47,000 acres of seagrasses were lost, a reduction of about 60%, valued at $235 million to $470 million in commercial and recreational fisheries losses. Seagrasses provide food, shelter and nursery areas for marine life in the lagoon; but seagrasses need sunlight to grow. In the southern portion of the IRL freshwater discharges from Lake Okeechobee and surrounding basins resulted in a 100% loss of oyster restoration areas in the St. Lucie Estuary.
