Enhanced protection of the Indian River Lagoon took another step forward recently when the St. Johns River Water Management District’s Governing Board authorized projects with the federal and local governments that will infuse another $1 million into lagoon protection.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will provide $595,000 of the funding through the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program (IRL NEP) that will be leveraged with $484,000 in local matching funds for 15 projects that will benefit the lagoon.
“This action streamlines our ability to put projects in the ground ,” said Maurice Sterling, IRL NEP interim director . “It allows us to move forward in a timely and efficient way to implement projects that incrementally build on the lagoon’s recovery.”
Funding recipients include: Cape Canaveral, Inc., the University of Central Florida, IRL Aquatic Preserve, Martin County, Brevard Zoo, city of Cocoa Beach, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Institute of Technology, Marine Resources Council, Indian River Shores, Florida Atlantic University Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute and Indian River Lagoon Envirothon, Inc.
Related:
Indian River Lagoon Dredging Project OK’d
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Press Release, August 19, 2014