INDIAN RIVER LAGOON, Fla. – A federal judge has ordered new protections to help the manatees in the Indian River Lagoon. This decision comes after the judge ruled that the state violated the Endangered Species Act. The water quality in the lagoon has suffered, leading to a record number of manatee deaths.
Now, several new rules are being put in place for residents of Brevard and Volusia counties. If you live in northern Brevard or southern Volusia County and were planning to install a septic tank this summer, you will likely need to pause that project. This is one of the new rules aimed at saving the manatees and restoring their main food source, seagrass.
Dr. Patrick Rose, the executive director of the Save the Manatee Club, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to researching and protecting manatees, explained the situation.
“The lagoon has suffered over decades from so much pollution to the point it literally was collapsing,” he said.
Rose noted that while there has been some recovery of seagrass in parts of the Mosquito Lagoon and Banana River, much of the Indian River is still lacking this vital habitat.
State data shows that manatee deaths have decreased over the last three years. However, researchers said they’re still on their toes.
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So far this year, 363 manatees have died in Florida, which is higher than the numbers for 2024 and 2023 but much lower than the alarming figures from 2022 and 2021, when the state declared an unusual mortality event.
“We’ve known the problem is there. There are efforts being undertaken to remedy this, but we’re looking at a probably 15- to 20-year cycle, so I think the real value of this is it gets people’s attention,” Rose added.
One important part of the new order is that the state must apply for an “incidental take” permit from federal authorities. This means they need to create a conservation plan to protect the manatees.
Until the federal government officially issues that permit, the state cannot issue permits for septic tank construction or installation near the northern Indian River Lagoon.
“The groundwater can take those nutrients and transport them right into the bay and cause those harmful algal blooms. So, this is drastic action, but it’s because there’s been inaction for so long,” Rose said.
This moratorium on septic tank permits will begin on July 17 and will remain in effect until the state receives the necessary permit. This could also impact new commercial and residential development in the area.
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