Save Our Indian River Lagoon Project Plan

The Save Our Indian River Lagoon Project Plan outlines local projects planned to meet water quality targets and improve the health, productivity, aesthetic appeal, and economic value of the lagoon. Implementation of these projects is contingent upon funding raised through the November 8, 2016 referendum (also known as “the half-cent sales tax”). It is projected to raise $542,000,000 over 10 years. This referendum funding also allows the County to leverage additional dollars in match funding from state and federal grant programs because the lagoon ecosystem is valued not only in Florida, but also nationally.

Each year the plan is evaluated and updated with the most current scientific information and each year new projects are added from both municipalities and non-governmental agencies. The updated plan is reviewed by the Save Our Indian River Lagoon Citizen Oversight Committee, who then makes a recommendation to the Brevard County Board of County Commissioners for the final approval of the plan.

The current plan is available in the Downloadable Documents section.

The 2023 Plan Update adds an additional 14 new projects for a total of 386 projects proposed over the ten years of the plan. Once completed, they will reduce and remove 1,309,977 pounds of nitrogen and 106,607 pounds of phosphorus annually from the Indian River Lagoon.

Project Plan Documents

2024 Save Our Indian River Lagoon Project Plan Update (docx, 20420 KB)

Save Our Indian River Lagoon Performance Table (pdf, 425 KB)

Save Our Indian River Lagoon Ordinance (pdf, 157 KB)

Project Process Timeline (pdf, 234 KB)

If you would like to read prior versions of the plan you may request them by emailing IRLProject@BrevardFL.gov.

Dashboard

Updated as of 11/14/2024. There are a total of 432 Total Project in the Save Our Indian River Lagoon Plan. It has completed 97 projects and has 99 projects in progress for a total of 196 projects underway.

Updated as of 11/14/2024. The Save Our Indian River Lagoon Program has collected $410.4 million of a projected $586 million. It has spent $83.0 million and has $327.4 million in progress for a combined total of $410.4 million. It also has $106.0 million in additional grant funds.

Updated as of 11/14/2024. The Save Our Indian River Lagoon Program’s projects are planned to remove or reduce 899,147 pounds of nitrogen annually and 557,452 pounds of nitrogen one-time for a total of 1,456,599 pounds of nitrogen. It has completed the removal of 178,271 pounds annually and 81,095 pounds one-time for a total of 259,367 pounds. It has in progress the removal of 487,755 pounds annually and 420,556 pounds one-time for a total of 908,321 pounds. It has a combined total removed and in progress of 666,026 pounds annually and 501,662 pounds one-time for a total of 1,167,688 pounds.

Updated as of 11/14/2024. The Save Our Indian River Lagoon Program’s projects are planned to remove or reduce 74,781 pounds of phosphorus annually and 49,777 pounds of nitrogen one-time or a total of 124,558 pounds of nitrogen. It has completed the removal of 13,044 pounds annually and 8,110 pounds one-time for a total of 21,153 pounds. It has in progress the removal of 37,361 pounds annually and 38,217 pounds one-time for a total of 75,578 pounds. It has a combined total removed and in progress of 50,405 pounds annually and 46,372 pounds one-time for a total of 96,732 pounds.

Image description in following paragraph. — Series of pie charts showing the percent distribution of funding from the original plan to each of the plan updates in 2017-2023. Public education makes up less than 1% of the total funding in all years except 2022 and 2023 when it is about 1%. Wastewater facility upgrades for reclaimed water were 3% of the costs in the original plan and 2017 Supplement; 4% in the 2018 Update; 7% in the 2019 Update; 6% in the 2020-2023 Updates. Rapid infiltration basins/sprayfield upgrades were added in the 2019 Update as 1% of the cost, 2% in the 2020 and 2021 Updates, and 0% in the 2022 and 2023 Updates. Package plant connections were added in the 2021 Update and represent 1% of the costs, also in the 2022 Update and less than 1% of the costs in the 2023 Update. Sewer laterals were added in the 2019 Update and represent less than 1% of the cost in all years. Septic-to-sewer was 14% of the cost in the original plan and 2017 Supplement, 13% in the 2018 Update, 26% in the 2019 Update, 30% in the 2020 and 2021 Updates, 31% in the 2022 Update, and 30% in the 2023 Update. Septic system upgrades were 7% of the cost in the original plan and 2017 Supplement, 6% in the 2018 and 2019 Updates, and 7% in the 2020-2023 Updates. Stormwater projects were 4% of the costs in the original plan and 2017 and 2018 Updates; 11% in the 2019 Update; 12% in the 2020 Update; 11% in the 2021 and 2022 Updates; and 15% in the 2023 Update. Vegetation harvesting was added in the 2021 Update and is about 0% of the cost in the 2021 and 2022 Updates and 1% of the costs in the 2023 Update. Muck removal was 66% of the cost in the original plan and 2017 Supplement, 58% in the 2018 Update, 30% in the 2019 Update, 27% in the 2020 Update, 26% in the 2021-2023 Updates. Treatment of interstitial water was added in the 2019 Update at 13% of the costs, 12% in the 2020 Update, and 11% in the 2021-2023 Updates. Oyster bars and living shorelines were 3% of the costs in the original plan through the 2019 Update, and 2% in the 2020-2023 Updates. Project monitoring was 3% of the costs in the original plan through the 2019 Update, and 2% in the 2020-2023 Updates.

View the Project Story Map to learn more about the location, benefits, and status of all projects in the Save Our Indian River Lagoon Plan.

Additional Resources

Brevard County is currently in the process of implementing changes to increase the accessibility of information and documents on its website. If you require assistance to better access these documents or information contained therein please contact the County’s ADA Coordinator by phone at (321) 637-5347 or by email at ADACompliance@BrevardFL.gov

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