The Indian River Lagoon Coalition announce the Indian River County Commission is now the 100th organizations to pledge support for their effort to restore the health of the Indian River Lagoon.  The Indian River Board of County Commissioners completed the local municipality group, along with 48 non-profit organizations and 46 businesses.

The Coalition was sparked thorough a workshop of environmental organizations under the leadership of the Indian River Community Foundation.  It was decided that all of the environmental organizations should unite behind one important issue – the health of the Indian River Lagoon.  A document was drafted to outline the environmental issues around the lagoon and to urge government to take a leadership role to find solutions.  This Coalition document has circulated by word of mouth, creating public awareness of the lagoon problems and urging citizens to support local solutions.

Three sources of pollutants are the focus of clean up efforts – outdated or poorly functioning septic systems, excessive fertilizer usage and stormwater run off from roads and parking lots.  The most cost effective clean up of these pollutants is to stop the pollution at its source, which requires the cooperation of all the citizens living in the Indian River Lagoon Watershed (map attached).

The Lagoon Coalition welcomes new members from the business and non-profit sector.  There is no fee.  For more information contact John Orcutt at 231-2037 or Doug Graybill at 231-0190.