Nick Thomas: Thinking small may be way forward for Indian River Lagoon

We all get it by now. The Indian River Lagoon is vast and complex. Its issues are diverse, and its care is entrusted to a snarl of governments, agencies, commissions and corps that have no hope of ever finding common cause, or the money to take action if they did.

We can pour money into studies all we like, but don’t we really already know the problems?

So, to my lagoon-loving friends, particularly those in and around my hometown of Vero Beach, let me offer two subversive thoughts.


We all know we could dredge new inlets or we could pipe vast amounts of ocean water into the lagoon, but that would take serious money and the cooperation of the various governments and the academic/scientific establishment, both of which are known foot-draggers.

Right now, however, we individuals can simply embrace the fact that some of the clean saltwater we need to refresh the lagoon is waiting in vast supply just a few dozen yards below our feet. If you live near the lagoon or even an inland canal, read up on the saltwater aquifer below your land, talk to a well driller, check your pocketbook and consider voluntarily adding abundant, clean saltwater to the lagoon.

For my friends on John’s Island Sound (also know as, John’s Island Creek), why not take this on as a philanthropic effort? With your skinny water and your deep pockets, you could lead the way. Think of the gin-clear water, the abundant sea grass and the wildlife that would be attracted and protected. And the benefits would be right in your own backyard, adding to you own property values.


If you live on the water but don’t have the funds to pump saltwater, you can still help, particularly if you, like me, live on a stagnated canal.

For the price of a water pump and a few dollars a month in electricity, you can create an attractive fountain that adds to the dissolved oxygen in the water, which counteracts a lot of the problems caused by excess algae.

If the idea of a constantly running fountain does not appeal to you, you can go the other way. Buy an air pump that connects to a bubbler system under the surface of the water. That oxygen fizz will go a long way toward helping the beneficial bacteria clean the water.

The Ocean Research and Conversation Association in Fort Pierce proposes a $6 million, multi-month/year study of the lagoon. Imagine how much actual good we could do right away for that amount of money.

If you’ve attended the protests, if you count yourself an activist, consider taking action right now.