In the next achievement for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, the Indian River Lagoon project broke ground on Friday. The project will restore conditions in the diverse St. Lucie and Indian River Lagoon estuaries - home to more than 4,300 plant and wildlife species that have suffered from water pollution and changes in the delicate balance of fresh and salt water that is necessary for their survival.
To learn more about this restoration project read Audubon of Florida’s fact sheet: Indian River Lagoon South Restoration: Restoring Florida’s Natural Jewel on the Treasure Coast.
Long term supporters of this project cheered this much-anticipated moment, including those from Martin County who contributed funding to make the project possible. Addressing the crowd were Jo-Ellen Darcy, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works and Col. Al Pantano, US Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District Commander, Rachel Jacobson, Acting Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks from the U.S. Department of the Interior, Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Herschel T. Vinyard, Jr., U.S. Representative Tom Rooney, Kevin Powers, Vice-Chair of the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Governing Board, Michelle McGovern on behalf of Senator Bill Nelson and Edward V. Ciampi, Chairman of the Martin County Board of County Commissioners.
Earlier this year, nearly 250 representatives from private-sector contracting firms attended a “pre-proposal meeting” for the Everglades restoration construction contract that was awarded to Phillips & Jordan, Inc. The interest in this contract is an example of the benefits that Everglades restoration has to Florida’s economy even before projects are completed. The large scope and multi-year nature of these contracts provides economic stability for the company working on the project, while at the same time moving us closer to recovering the abundance of life that makes the Everglades such a unique natural treasure.With the Indian River Lagoon project breaking ground, all restoration projects authorized by Congress are now under construction. Audubon will continue to build off of this incredible show of progress as multiple projects near completion.
