For over 20 years, the Marine Resources Council (MRC) has focused on major issues involving the Indian River Lagoon including: flow from land drainage and its negative impact on estuarine productivity; loss of seagrasses and mangroves; coordinating local, state, or federal programs for the lagoon; and the need for public education to incorporate science into decision-making. Today, plans for use of the Indian River Lagoon resources are incorporated into the 6 counties’ and 33 cities’ comprehensive plans, in addition to state management policy. The state legislature now regularly addresses lagoon issues and has dedicated funding to the Lagoon. Also, through the direct efforts of the MRC, the Indian River Lagoon received national recognition in 1990 as a National Estuary of Significance by the EPA.