A multimillion-dollar dredging project is about to begin on Brevard County's Eau Gallie River, a victory for those working for funding to help clean up the waterway leading into the struggling Indian River Lagoon.
Leaders from the St. Johns River Water Management District and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, plus state and local leaders, gathered Friday to celebrate the state Legislature's $10 million funding for the first phase of the project along the 4-mile stretch of river.
The project entails removing more than 600,000 cubic yards of muck sediment from the river bottom, which has accumulated over several decades. The muck is harming marine life, creating algal blooms, and stifling the seagrass in the lagoon.
"The muck's accumulated over the years," said Hans Tanzler III, with the St. Johns River Water Management District. "This is one of many projects it will take to help remedy the lagoon, but it's a big first step, and I'm proud to be part of it."
The dredging project is expected to begin in late 2016 and wrap up by the end of 2017, with a total cost of $20 million.