INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Ocean Research & Conservation Association in Fort Pierce Florida has installed the first open access Kilroy monitoring system in the Fort Pierce inlet and is making the data available to the public at www.teamorca.org.
“As pollution regulations are weakened and monitoring programs are eliminated there is an urgent need to make water pollution information accessible to community stakeholders.” said Dr. Edith Widder, the CEO and Sr. Scientist of (ORCA). “Our original vision for ORCA’s Kilroys was that they would be everywhere, just like that uber GI of World War II fame. We thought their proliferation would be supported by state and federal dollars for water quality monitoring. Unfortunately, those dollars are gone.”
Cuts in state and federal funding have brought an end to many water quality monitoring programs – some of which have been in place for decades.
In an effort to counter the loss of monitoring data ORCA is making Kilroy data available to everyone. The first of what ORCA hopes will be many free access Kilroy monitoring stations is located in the Fort Pierce Inlet, behind ORCA’s offices on Seaway Drive, and made possible with funds raised by Team ORCA.
Because of its unique geographical location, bordering the temperate and sub-tropical zones, the lagoon is the most bio-diverse estuary in North America and home to over 2100 species of plants and over 2200 species of animals.
It provides habitat for the most diverse bird population anywhere in America and nearly one-third of the nation’s manatee population lives or migrates through the lagoon annually.
The Indian River Lagoon also serves as the spawning grounds for over 700 species of ocean, lagoon and shellfish populations. Species of fish that spawn in the Indian River Lagoon range as far north as the Chesapeake Bay, and the beaches adjacent to the lagoon are the densest sea turtle nesting areas found in the Western Hemisphere.
A 2008 economic assessment estimated that the Indian River Lagoon provides an annual benefit of $3.7 billion to residents and visitors (primarily related to recreation al use) and over $47 billion to property values.
A documented decline in the health of the Indian River Lagoon can be traced primarily to non-point source pollution. Storm water runoff, sewage spills and leaky septic tanks are just a few of the suspected sources of pollution.
“We are all polluters to some extent.” said Widder. “With few exceptions pollution is not the result of indifference to the environment – but rather a person or business doing what they think is best for themselves, their families, or their customers. Finger-pointing rarely results in positive change for the environment or the people involved. As we identify the sources and sinks of pollution our focus is on finding the solutions that best balance the needs of humans with the environment and with the needs of all other species with whom we share this beautiful habitat.”
The Indian Riverkeeper, George Jones, is encouraged that Kilroy will make a difference in how pollution is addressed.
“Making the data from Kilroy available to the public is a valuable first step in getting everyone to understand the extent of the water quality problems facing the Lagoon.” stated Jones. “I also believe once the public can see firsthand just how bad things really are, it will not be so easy for the politicians and agencies to continue to down grade water quality standards, and ignore restoration needs.”
“There is a disconnect between science and action because science is time-consuming, while policy decisions are made under deadlines and amid controversy,” Widder said. “By getting the community to work directly with scientists to produce and analyze data we hope to stimulate better informed decisions and improved outcomes. It’s about empowering citizens to protect what they love most about living here – our beautiful waters.”
ORCA envisions protecting our waters with an armada of ORCA Kilroy monitoring stations. With community support and Kilroy sponsors this vision can become a reality.
If you or your organization would like to become a part of the Kilroy Navy and sponsor a Kilroy please contact ORCA at (772) 467-1600.