The increased pumping and flushing capacity enabled by the additional pumping station and culverts is expected to enhance water quality and circulation, providing an expansion of fish and aquatic invertebrate habitat throughout the site. In addition, the increased movement and exchange of water will allow for enhanced ingress and egress of aquatic fauna and nutrients. The enhanced aquatic habitat should also have a beneficial effect on wading birds and other wildlife that feed on fish and invertebrates. The permits contain success criteria for water volume exchange, water quality and wildlife utilization.

The elimination of exotic vegetation is expected to result in a healthy estuarine mangrove community.

The additional exchange of nutrients may provide a beneficial influence on fish and wildlife and their habitat within the Indian River Lagoon. Seagrasses will be monitored to document any enhancement; however, they were not assessed for credit at this time. It is important to ensure that the additional culverts do not have a negative effect on seagrass coverage, and seagrass monitoring is included in the plan. The permits require a remediation plan if monitoring indicates loss of seagrass due to the mitigation project.