Following a ruling by a federal judge, new regulations have been mandated to shield the Florida manatee population, particularly those in northern Indian River Lagoon, from further harm. These protections respond to the state's violation of the Endangered Species Act as reported by WFTV.
The order includes a health assessment program for manatees to begin next month, public quarterly reports on factors leading to the manatees' dwindling numbers such as water quality, seagrass conditions, and harmful algae blooms, and starting July 17, a temporary stop on new septic system permits in the watershed area, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection has acknowledged the unprecedented die-off that occurred between 2020 and 2022 has responded by pouring resources into water quality improvement and habitat restoration.
In addition, residents in northern Brevard and southern Volusia counties now face a pause on septic tank installations after the judge's ruling, a move tied to the manatees' survival and the restoration of their vital food source, seagrass, as detailed by ClickOrlando.
According to Dr. Patrick Rose, executive director of the Save the Manatee Club, the lagoon has suffered from so much pollution over the decades that it collapsed. At the same time, while state data shows the number of manatee deaths has started to decrease, the problem persists. Three hundred sixty-three manatees have already succumbed this year, surpassing the totals from 2024 and 2023, albeit falling short of the figures seen during the 2020 and 2021 unusual mortality events.
This moratorium on septic tank permits is in effect until the needed "incidental take" permit is acquired; this could delay new commercial and residential development. "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 stated, as per ClickOrlando.
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