More Outlets Could Help Stop Lagoon Pollution

A longtime science teacher and angler, Tim Ayers, writes the following letter in support of creating additional connections between the ocean and Indian River Lagoon.

Much of the northern lagoon waters suffer from stagnation and low oxygen levels. Additional tidal exchanges could do wonders to revive the estuarine life, as was pointed out in our Openers column of July 2015, "Let the Waters In," which is shown on the FS conservation website. - KW

Dear Mr. Wickstrom,

I'm writing this letter as someone who has spent hundreds of days fishing the north IRL and Mosquito Lagoon over some 35 years. As a retired Marine and Environmental Science teacher of 30 years (my last 12 across the street from your offices at Martin county High). As someone who is not an expert but with knowledge and experience. As someone who has reached out and met with 2 officials with the SJRWMD Nick Abrahams and Dr. Ann Shortelle, and has spoken Dr. Grant Gilmore for input and expertise. And finally as someone who was with you 20 years ago during the net ban movement and knows the influence your magazine and its readership can have, with the hope that you will consider taking up this issue. That issue is that it's time to do what has been suggested for years cut an inlet or inlets.

The North IRL and Mosquito lagoon could literally collapse any day. The brown tide organism has persisted throughout the (practically nonexistent) winter and very similar conditions exist there that existed in the Banana River before its collapse. The coming hot weather , greatly increases that likelihood which was confirmed to me by the SJRWMD officials.

The Indian River Lagoon has existed just fine for centuries as a mostly closed system with very few connections to the ocean, some only temporary. However there has not been millions of people for centuries and the system has literally had its fill of our effluent and affluent. Nutrients have accumulated with nowhere to go to reach this tipping point. It is 88 straight line miles from Ponce inlet to Sebastian inlet as the only connections to the ocean. At Ponce the waterway is so narrow there is not a huge volume of water flushed with the tides and at Sebastian only slightly more. The Port Canaveral locks of course prohibit any flow to the Banana river. My thoughts and those of many others is to cut one in Mosquito Lagoon where there is a couple of places where only 100 yards or so separate the ocean from the lagoon, widen Haulover Canal, get rid of the locks at Port Canaveral, and maybe cut another around Patrick AFB. I know this sounds extreme and that there are consequences: tides and currents (beneficial), the flow of sand down the beach, maintaining the openings, etc. In my view this is an emergency situation and the only thing that might avert catastrophe is to turn to the ocean for rescue.

I look at the west coast where there are far more and bigger openings to the Gulf of Mexico and therefore the tidal flushing effect. There are millions of people there as well and they do have frequent algae blooms (many toxic red tides) and fish kills but none nearly as catastrophic as the Banana River kill. The flushing effect gives nature a chance to mitigate the effects of both natural and manmade blooms.

“Dilution is the solution to pollution” has been practiced worldwide and although it is absolutely not the solution it is the emergency measure needed now. Until we can finally get a handle on the well-known causes: fertilizer laden runoff, overwhelming and dilapidated septic systems, and direct flow storm water relief canals, ditches, etc. There are many concerned groups and caring officials trying to accomplish the task of controlling the source, which has to be done for any long term hope but this is a short term now emergency and if millions of dead fish in 2 days doesn't get that across, what will? I was

informed that Brevard County voted down a request to have the governor declare a state of emergency because of fear of tourist reaction.

The things that need to happen may or may not happen, but all the things proposed to this point will take time and I fear the north lagoon doesn't have much time. I think we need to pray that it survives the coming months. I know you are well aware of the uniqueness of the north IRL and the only inshore breeding population of redfish anywhere in the country. For me personally that area has been a sanctuary for my wellbeing most of my adult life and to see it die would be a monumental tragedy.

Thanks for your consideration,

Sincerely, Tim Ayers