What is the relationship between the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) Feasibility Study and the Indian River Lagoon Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) Plan?
The IRL Feasibility Study and the IRL SWIM Plan both focus on water resources and environmental improvements that directly impact St. Lucie County and Martin County. In that sense, they are both important to the Upper East Coast and share a similar geographic focus. However, the IRL Feasibility Study is a part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) and primarily focuses on water supply and environmental enhancement through improvements to regional infrastructure. Under CERP, authorized improvements are jointly funded through a partnership agreement with the federal government. The IRL SWIM is a State of Florida initiative that primarily focuses on planning and environmental enhancement of water bodies through water quality improvement in surface waters. SWIM funding has been provided by the state and the water management districts. Finally, the scope and time frame for each of these activities is quite different. The IRL Feasibility Study, part of CERP, is therefore de
