SEBASTIAN – The Sebastian City Council is hosting a workshop tonight at 6 p.m. in City Hall regarding the effects of certain pollutants on the Indian River Lagoon.
Dr. Brian Lapointe, of Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in Fort Pierce and research professor at Florida Atlantic University, will be discussing his research on water quality.
Interim City Manager Joe Griffin said the workshop was set up after the Council discussed the need for further research before moving forward in implementing stronger ordinances.
“We’re expecting a pretty good crowd,” Griffin said. “There will be a number of presenters in addition to [Dr.] Lapointe and depending on how the Mayor operates the meeting, he may open it up to spectators to speak as well.”
Dr. Lapointe is a highly respected scientist not only around the globe, but specifically in South Florida and the Caribbean where he has targeted a large portion of his extensive research, according his FAU online biography.
The Council has previously held meetings discussing establishing rules for fertilizer use and has adopted the state’s blueprint ordinance. The members have debated whether those rules go far enough to protect the lagoon.