The Indian River Lagoon Council Board of Directors convened on August 22, 2025, in Sebastian, Florida, to discuss key environmental initiatives, including the Habitat Restoration Plan. The meeting began with an overview of the plan, which is a crucial document requiring concurrence from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Kathy, a representative from the council, explained that the Habitat Restoration Plan is typically updated every ten years alongside the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP). The council had previously contracted Tetra Tech to create a detailed 112-page habitat restoration document. However, upon review, the council found that the document lacked actionable items and did not fully align with the EPA's requirements.

To address this, the council has been working on a more concise 36-page document that integrates the best management practices for habitat restoration. This new document aims to provide clear guidance while considering the specific habitat needs of the watershed. Kathy emphasized that the plan would remain a draft, allowing for ongoing updates as new scientific information becomes available.

The board members discussed the importance of keeping the document dynamic and accessible, with plans to post both the 36-page summary and the larger technical document on the council's website for public review and comment.

Following the discussion, the staff requested approval to submit the revised Habitat Restoration Plan to the EPA. The motion was made by Mr. Oliver and seconded by Commissioner Hurd. With no public comments against the motion, the board unanimously approved the submission.

The meeting then moved on to the next agenda item, reflecting the council's commitment to ongoing environmental stewardship and community engagement in habitat restoration efforts.