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County accepts donations to fund pump‑out vessel to curb sewage in Indian River Lagoon
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Summary
Indian River County commissioners approved accepting a $29,062.50 donation from the Indian River Land Trust and $10,000 from the Clean Water Coalition to help purchase and operate a pump‑out vessel aimed at reducing illegal sewage discharge into the Indian River Lagoon.
Indian River County commissioners voted April 21 to accept private donations and launch a pilot pump‑out vessel program aimed at preventing raw sewage discharges into the Indian River Lagoon. The board approved accepting $29,062.50 from the Indian River Land Trust (a 25% share of the vessel purchase) and $10,000 from the Clean Water Coalition to support initial operations, and approved acknowledging donors on the vessel hull and program signage.
Kylie Antula, the county's natural resources director, told the board the program grew from the county's Indian River Lagoon management plan and a subsequent clean vessel grant that covers 75% of the boat's purchase cost. "These boats basically help to prevent the discharge of waste into water bodies," Antula said, summarizing staff's recommendation to accept the donations and launch the program with several external partners including the city of Vero Beach for temporary storage and septic offload.
Ken Gruden, executive director of the Indian River Land Trust, described the local problem and the Land Trust's decision to contribute toward the purchase: "The volume of anchored live‑aboard vessels in Indian River County has vastly increased over the last 10 to 15 years ... the direct discharge of raw sewage into the lagoon" is a serious concern. Judy Orcutt, identified in the agenda as president of the Clean Water Coalition, said her group provided $10,000 toward first‑year operations.
Commissioners applauded the public‑private partnership. A commissioner who moved the motion said the vessel "will make a difference" in protecting water quality; the motion carried unanimously. Representatives from both nonprofit partners presented checks to the board after the vote.
Next steps outlined by staff include finalizing operating agreements with partner jurisdictions and incorporating the vessel into county operations; the county previously accepted a Clean Vessel Act grant for the purchase and has an interim storage and septic receiving arrangement pending final approvals by the city of Vero Beach.
