The Challenge
Port St. Lucie sits at the heart of the St. Lucie River watershed, connected to the Indian River Lagoon—one of North America's most biodiverse estuaries. Our rapid growth, combined with regional water management challenges and climate change, puts increasing pressure on our environment. From stormwater runoff to flood risk, we face complex environmental challenges that require proactive leadership.
66%
Of Port St. Lucie buildings at risk of flooding
84B
Gallons discharged from Lake Okeechobee into St. Lucie River (early 2025)
$615M
City infrastructure investment plan (2025-2029) including stormwater projects
The Indian River Lagoon at risk: The lagoon has experienced significant seagrass die-offs, algae blooms, and fish kills due to nutrient pollution from urban runoff, septic systems, and regional water management practices. The 2025 Central Indian River Lagoon Basin Management Action Plan targets a 35% reduction in nitrogen and phosphorus loading.
Steven's Plan: Stormwater and Flood Prevention
Port St. Lucie's rapid development has altered natural drainage patterns, increasing flood risk for many neighborhoods. We must invest in resilient infrastructure:
- Expand the Veterans Memorial Water Quality Treatment Plant - Support the new facility to detain and treat stormwater before it enters the North Fork of the St. Lucie River.
- Prioritize Watershed Improvements - Continue improvements to Watershed A and B, leveraging the $2 million Resilient Florida Grant Program award.
- Install Baffle Boxes - Deploy these structures along major drainage corridors to capture pollutants and debris before they reach our waterways.
- Upgrade Aging Infrastructure - Replace large culverts and water control structures that are reaching end-of-life, preventing failures during major storm events.
- Interactive Flood Mapping - Create an easy-to-use online tool where residents can check their property's flood risk and understand drainage improvements in their area.
- Green Infrastructure - Promote rain gardens, permeable surfaces, and natural buffers that reduce runoff while beautifying neighborhoods.
Steven's Plan: Protecting Our Waterways
The St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon are the heart of our community. We must be good stewards of these precious resources:
- Enforce Fertilizer Ordinances - Strengthen enforcement of seasonal fertilizer restrictions to reduce nutrient runoff that feeds harmful algae blooms.
- Support Septic-to-Sewer Conversions - Accelerate the transition from septic systems to municipal sewer in priority areas to reduce nitrogen pollution.
- Protect Wetlands and Green Spaces - Preserve natural wetlands that act as filters for stormwater and habitat for wildlife.
- Public Education Campaign - Launch "Clean Water PSL" to educate residents about proper swale maintenance, pet waste disposal, and how individual actions affect water quality.
- Partner with Regional Agencies - Work with the South Florida Water Management District, St. Lucie County, and state agencies on coordinated watershed protection.
- Monitor Water Quality - Expand the city's water quality monitoring program to track conditions and identify problems early.
Steven's Plan: Sustainable Growth
Growth and environmental protection can go hand-in-hand when done right:
- Smart Development Standards - Require new developments to include adequate stormwater management that exceeds minimum standards.
- Protect Natural Buffers - Maintain upland buffers along floodplains and waterways to filter runoff and prevent erosion.
- Support Clean Energy - Encourage solar installations on city buildings and streamline permitting for residential solar.
- Preserve Savannas Preserve - Support this vital state park in Port St. Lucie through partnerships for invasive species control and habitat restoration.
- Living Shorelines - Promote natural shoreline stabilization using native vegetation instead of seawalls where appropriate.
Why This Matters
Our environment is not just about aesthetics—it's about our economy, our health, and our children's future. Clean waterways support fishing, boating, and tourism industries that employ thousands. Proper flood management protects homes and businesses from costly damage. Green spaces improve mental health and property values.
When we protect the Indian River Lagoon, we're protecting the very thing that makes Florida's Treasure Coast special. When we invest in flood prevention, we're saving residents from the trauma and expense of flooded homes. Environmental stewardship is fiscal responsibility.
The Bottom Line
As your Mayor, I will treat environmental protection as a core responsibility, not an afterthought. That means investing in infrastructure that prevents flooding, enforcing regulations that protect water quality, and planning for a future where Port St. Lucie remains a beautiful, livable community for generations to come. We can grow responsibly—we must grow responsibly.