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Board hears $10 billion‑plus valuation of Indian River Lagoon, directs staff to begin renewal planning
Summary
Consultants told the Brevard County Commission that the Indian River Lagoon’s ecosystem services generate more than $10 billion annually and support about 128,000 jobs; the board unanimously directed staff to begin planning and public outreach for a possible 2026 renewal of the lagoon sales‑tax program and set two public workshops for January.
Brevard County commissioners on Nov. 18 heard a county‑commissioned update that places an economic value on the Indian River Lagoon’s ecosystem services and unanimously authorized staff to begin renewal planning for the Save Our Indian River Lagoon sales‑tax program.
Valerie Bridal of the Belmore Group told commissioners the team’s modeling found ecosystem‑service values for the lagoon system above $10,000,000,000 per year. Bridal highlighted several components: an estimated $6.1 billion in property‑value premiums tied to proximity to the lagoon, roughly $250,000,000 annually in coastal‑protection services, about $530,000,000 in water‑quality benefits, and an…
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