Enjoying the spoils
Protected lagoon islands provide respites for boaters and wildlife
By Sue Dewerff
Whether you are
looking to connect
with nature and
wildlife — or seek
solace while camping
under the stars —
the Indian River
Lagoon’s spoil islands offer a picture perfect
setting for all that is related to nature.
The man-made sanctuaries that dot the inland
waterways from Mims to Sebastian Inlet
are havens for tranquility — and provide a
peaceful place for both recreation and wildlife
conservation.
Created as a byproduct of channel dredging
along the inshore coastal waters back in the
late ’50s and early ’60s, the spoil material was
originally deposited in piles along the edge of
the land. Over time, many of the piles of rock,
shells and sand eventually spread to the middle
of the lagoon, forming islands that became
vegetated, as seeds and plants drifted onto them.
Ownership of the spoil islands varies, from the
state, to federal agencies and even a few private
individuals.
Part of seven aquatic preserves, which are found
from Volusia County to Palm Beach County,
they are managed by Florida Department
of Environmental Protection’s Indian River
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Danny Smith and his
family visit Grant Island,
one of the larger spoil
islands at the southern
part of the county that
can be accessed via
kayaks or paddle boards.
DAN SMITH PHOTOS
Smith and his granddaughter s >> hare a snack during a family outing to one of the islands.
BOATING & FISHING
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