IRLNEP 2030 Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan This Final Draft version of the Indian River Lagoon Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP) – Looking Ahead to 2030 replaces the Preliminary Final Draft version and the original Draft version that were provided to the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program (IRLNEP) Management Conference and public on the IRL Council website, www.irlcouncil.com, to facilitate open access to the CCMP and encourage public comments. This Final Draft version will remain open on the IRLNEP website and available for comments until certification of the Final Draft is completed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), recommended changes are made (if necessary), and a Final USEPA certified CCMP is reviewed by the IRLNEP Management Conference and adopted by the IRL Council in 2019. All public comments have been and will be recorded and posted on the website. i | Page IRLNEP 2030 Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan TABLE OF CONTENTS Acronyms and Abbreviations ................................................................................................................................... iv IRL Council Resolution and Adoption .......................................................................................................................v U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Concurrence ............................................................................................. vii Message from IRLNEP Executive Director ........................................................................................................... viii The National Estuary Program ...................................................................................................................................2 Indian River Lagoon ...................................................................................................................................................3 2016 Expansion of the IRLNEP Planning Boundary ............................................................................................4 IRLNEP Management Conference ........................................................................................................................5 CCMP Revision: IRLNEP Responds to a Changing Lagoon .....................................................................................9 Pathway to IRL Restoration ................................................................................................................................11 Taking Action ......................................................................................................................................................11 IRLNEP: Core Values ..............................................................................................................................................12 IRLNEP: Measuring Performance and Progress ......................................................................................................13 Role of the IRLNEP .................................................................................................................................................13 IRL Vital Signs .........................................................................................................................................................14 How to Use the Vital Signs Wheel ......................................................................................................................15 Measuring Changes in IRL Vital Signs ...............................................................................................................16 IRL Health Concern Levels .................................................................................................................................18 How to Use this Plan ................................................................................................................................................18 ONE LAGOON ........................................................................................................................................................20 Water Quality ......................................................................................................................................................20 Impaired Waters (Including TMDLs, BMAPs, and RAPs) ..............................................................................20 Wastewater .......................................................................................................................................................24 Stormwater .......................................................................................................................................................30 Hydrology and Hydrodynamics .......................................................................................................................35 Legacy Loads and Healthy Sediments .............................................................................................................39 Atmospheric Deposition ...................................................................................................................................44 Contaminants of Concern .................................................................................................................................48 Habitats ...............................................................................................................................................................53 Seagrasses .........................................................................................................................................................53 Filter Feeders ....................................................................................................................................................57 Living Shorelines .............................................................................................................................................61 Wetlands and Impounded and Altered Marshes ...............................................................................................66 Spoil Islands .....................................................................................................................................................71 Land Conservation ...........................................................................................................................................75 ii | Page IRLNEP 2030 Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan Connected Waters and Watersheds ..................................................................................................................80 Living Resources .................................................................................................................................................86 Biodiversity ......................................................................................................................................................86 Species of Concern ...........................................................................................................................................90 Invasive Species ...............................................................................................................................................94 Forage Fishes ....................................................................................................................................................97 Commercial and Recreational Fisheries .........................................................................................................101 Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) .....................................................................................................................105 ONE LAGOON and One Community....................................................................................................................109 Living Resources & Healthy Communities.......................................................................................................109 Climate Ready Estuary ...................................................................................................................................109 ONE COMMUNITY ..............................................................................................................................................113 Healthy Communities ........................................................................................................................................113 Vibrant 21st Century Communities .................................................................................................................113 Trash-Free Waters ..........................................................................................................................................118 Marinas and Boating ......................................................................................................................................121 Distinctive Lagoon Communities ...................................................................................................................125 Emergency Preparation & Response ..............................................................................................................129 ONE VOICE ...........................................................................................................................................................132 Communicate – Collaborate