By TC PALM Editorial Board
Regionalism — in which local governments work together to address mutual problems and provide potential solutions — is a fine concept in theory. But, it can quickly fall apart when money and self-interests become intertwined with the issues being addressed.
That’s the reality that must be faced and overcome with plans unfolding to create a special water management district for the Indian River Lagoon.
Since 1990, the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program under the auspices of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has been administered through the St. Johns River Water Management District. The district funds program operations and distributes $500,000 to $600,000 annually from the EPA for lagoon water quality projects in Indian River, Brevard and Volusia counties.
Representatives of those counties have been meeting with their counterparts from St. Lucie and Martin counties, which sit in the South Florida Water Management District. They’ve discussed the significant degradation of the lagoon last year and potential steps to improve the lagoon’s health.
While members of that special, collaborative group come from each county commission, they don’t necessarily speak for their commissions as a whole.
From those meetings came the idea, which the St. Johns water district board has endorsed, that a special district be created for the five counties along the lagoon. It would take over operation of the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program.
Read the story here:
http://www.tcpalm.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-cooperation-with-special-water-district-for-the-indian-river-lagoon-may-be-tested_00140411