In a packed and at times emotionally charged meeting on Tuesday, the Brevard County Commission advanced critical decisions surrounding the future of muck removal projects in the Indian River Lagoon, approving a plan to complete dredging in the Grand Canal by the end of this year and seeking new options for muck disposal sites as local landowners reach capacity.
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Disposal Crisis: Where to Put the Muck?
One of the central challenges facing the county is where to dispose of the dewatered muck — a nutrient-rich, sludge-like sediment that has built up in the Lagoon due to stormwater runoff, septic tank discharge, and other pollution sources.
A county staff presentation revealed that traditional options, such as using agricultural lands, are “nearing full satiation.” With major projects like the Eau Gallie Causeway, Sykes Creek Phase II, and the Mims Rim Ditch still needing disposal capacity, the county now finds itself scrambling for alternatives.
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Commissioner Tom Goodson questioned why the county-owned Sarno property wasn’t being utilized — a site that was previously used for muck dewatering. Public commenter Sandra Sullivan accused the county of deliberately misrepresenting ownership of the land, stating a staff member “accidentally let the cat out of the bag” that it may be controlled by a development corporation. She also alleged the land is now costing taxpayers over $160 million, though no documentation was provided to support that claim.
Staff from Solid Waste cited numerous hurdles for the Sarno site, including required stormwater and conditional use permits, traffic complications due to its proximity to the Renaissance Fair, and the muck’s unique hydrophobic (water-repelling) properties that make it incompatible with landfill leachate systems.
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In response to the looming disposal shortage, the Commission unanimously approved advertising a Request for Proposals (RFP) to identify private landowners willing to accept the muck, particularly for upcoming northern and central projects. The idea of working with the Sheriff’s Office on using contaminated county land remains on the table for future discussion.
Grand Canal: A Community Battleground
The meeting’s most emotional moments came during public comment on the Grand Canal muck removal project. Originally planned to remove 485,600 cubic yards of muck, the project has far exceeded that due to expanded dredging areas and new muck accumulation.
Residents passionately implored commissioners to finish what they started.
Carla Vaughn, a Lake Shepard homeowner, described the once vibrant waters as now resembling “chocolate milk.” She noted the tragic loss of manatees, migratory birds, and fish, asking: “The muck is poisonous — how can an animal live where there should be seagrass?”
Patricia Barnett compared the situation to receiving a “bad diagnosis” for a loved one, urging commissioners not to abandon the treatment when it’s showing results.
Engineer Brad Evers, initially a skeptic, presented sonar scans showing up to 10 feet of muck in some areas and praised visible improvements like growing oysters and soft corals. “It’s working,” he said.
Vicky Carter recounted a near-death experience swimming in Lake Shepard, overcome by noxious gases released from the muck. “It kills fish, it kills dolphins and manatees, and it almost killed me,” she warned.
Lisa Lantrip, a local real estate agent, pointed to declining property values and sluggish home sales along the waterfront. “Buyers are walking away,” she said bluntly.
The Vote and the Plan
After weighing three final options — continue dredging with the current Pineda DMMA site ($13.1M), delay and pipeline muck to BV-52 in Palm Bay in 2034 ($18.05M+ inflation), or a hybrid of both ($19.9M+ inflation) — the Commission voted 5-0 in favor of the “Pineda option” for being the most efficient and immediate.
Under this plan:
Dredging will finish by November 30, 2025.
Site restoration will be completed by February 28, 2026.
Remaining $5.1 million in state grants will be fully utilized before their expiration.
The plan avoids nine-year delays and escalating costs tied to the pipeline option.
Commissioners emphasized the urgency of delivering environmental benefits now, including improved water quality, increased oxygen levels, and restoring habitats for seagrass and marine life — all of which continue to suffer from ongoing muck decay.
Root Cause Still Unaddressed
Not everyone was convinced muck removal is the silver bullet. Civil engineer James Glass criticized the county’s focus on dredging over upgrading failing septic systems, calling muck removal a “band-aid” for a deeper pollution crisis. “You’re wasting money planting seagrass if the water isn’t clean enough to support it,” he said.
Amamir Pishad of the Florida Fly Fishing Association echoed this, noting only 8,000 of 60,000 septic tank polluters have been resolved.
Steve Diaz, a resident living near the dewatering site, described breathing in “hydrophobic polluted dust” but still supported finishing the dredging — with one caveat: “If we don’t stop the source, the muck’s just going to keep coming back.”
What’s Next?
While the Grand Canal project moves forward, the county must now navigate a more complex and competitive landscape for muck disposal. With community trust wavering, disposal costs rising, and environmental deadlines looming, all eyes remain on the Commission to deliver lasting solutions — not just temporary cleanup.
