Take Action to Preserve the Indian River Lagoon

The Indian River Lagoon can provide over $7 billion annually in economic value through fisheries, tourism, recreation, and jobs. However, excess nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorous from human sources, have caused a series of algal blooms that decimated seagrass and led to the deaths of over 1,200 manatees due to a lack of forage. In 2016, Brevard County created the Save Our Indian River Lagoon (SOIRL) Program, funding it with a half-cent sales tax. This revenue has been used to improve stormwater treatment and reduce nutrient pollution. The plan aims to remove or reduce over 1.3 million pounds of excess nitrogen and 106 thousand pounds of phosphorus annually. The program has been very successful thus far.

The program is scheduled for a vote on an extension in 2026. To maintain progress and secure future funding, the Brevard Indian River Lagoon Coalition and its partners have been advocating for a 10-year extension of the SOIRL Program to be placed on the ballot this November. This would help ensure continued funding and reduce the risk of disruptions caused by uncertainty over the program's future. Unfortunately, the County Commission declined to add it to the ballot, though they expressed strong support for the SOIRL Program and stated their intention to vote for the extension in 2026.

The IRL can't wait until 2026! A plan is needed now for the next 10 years that everyone will support.