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Coastal Estuaries Alert
S.T.O.P.
Stop The Ongoing Pollution
The St. Lucie River Estuary and the Indian River Lagoon are now in critical condition due to large discharges of polluted freshwater from Lake Okeechobee and the agricultural canals, currently at a rate of 1.6 billion gallons per day! The water has high levels of nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen and is depositing an estimated 200 cubic yards of silt and sediment into the estuaries each day! Direct impacts of the discharges include fish with lesions, dying oyster populations and loss of seagrass habitat. Declines in tourism and in boating, fishing, and all water-related activities are causing a major economic impact on our community.
Several "protected" areas are now being impacted including two State Aquatic Preserves, the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary, NOAA Essential Fish Habitat, EPA Critical Habitat for Seagrass, the St. Lucie Inlet State Preserve Reefs, and the St. Lucie Nearshore Reefs nominated for National Marine Sanctuary designation. These estuaries and coastal ecosystems are habitat for over 4,000 species of plants and animals, including 33 endangered and threatened species.
Thank you to all the people who came out to
"Save our River Rally " September 27, 2008
Thank you to the more than 790 people who came out to
"Rally for the Rivers" July 16, 2005.
Thank you to the more than 850 people who came out to
"Rally for the Rivers" September 27, 2003.
How You Can Help!
Use the information and links below to keep informed and make you opinion heard.
E-Mail comments to: info@fos-cc.org
Copyright © 2005 Florida Oceanographic Society. All rights reserved.
890 NE Ocean Boulevard, Stuart, Florida 34996 (772) 225-0505
Revised June 8, 2006
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