Jim Waymer

FLORIDA TODAY

Dwight D. Eisenhower founded the American Assembly process in 1950 as a way to build consensus on vital public policy issues.

The idea developed nonpartisan public forums that bring together community, business and government leaders to speak freely and prioritize solutions.

On May 15-17, the nonprofit Marine Resources Council and Florida Tech will try the concept for the 14th time on behalf of the Indian River Lagoon.

"To me, it seemed critical that the assembly happen again," Leesa Souto, MRC's executive director, told the Indian River Lagoon Advisory Board last Wednesday during the meeting in Fort Pierce.

Between 1984 and 1997, MRC conducted 13 American Assemblies for the lagoon. The most notable outcomes were the creation of the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program and a 1990 state law that stopped most sewer plants from directly discharging into the lagoon.

Now, the estuary's advocates aim again to inspire hope, innovation and action to heal the lagoon, plagued for years by algae blooms and wildlife die-offs.

Because of the small venue — Evans Library Pavilion at FIT — the Lagoon Action Assembly won't be open to the general public. But a lagoon summit that will be planned for this summer will lay out the assembly's resulting game plan for resurrecting the lagoon.

Delegates for the assembly are chosen from throughout the lagoon region, from New Smyrna Beach to Jupiter. The event's organizers hope for 100 delegates. Seventy-seven have confirmed so far, Souto said.

Delegates include leaders in business, government, science, agriculture, education, community organizations, environmental groups, recreation, industry and tourism.

"My goal is to get everybody working together," Souto said.

The event includes presentations from scientists and representatives from other estuary programs.

"I think it comes at a critical time," Martin Smithson, director of the Sebastian Inlet District, said at last week's lagoon advisory board meeting. "It's a great opportunity."

Indian River Lagoon Action Assembly

For information, visit mrcirl.org/our-programs/2014-action-assembly