County racing to regulate fertilizer

Sarasota, Fla.-With a proposal in the Florida Legislature to ban local governments beginning May 1 from adopting their own rules regulating fertilizer use, the Sarasota County Commission was moving quickly last week to adopt its own version, according to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. An amendment proposed by Rep. Bryan Nelson of Apopka would establish a task force to set a statewide standard for fertilizer use, but officials in many local governments fear that whatever is ultimately adopted would be weaker than what they believe is necessary. Sarasota Bay and portions of the Gulf of Mexico suffer outbreaks of red tide, an algae bloom, during warm weather. Red tide kills fish and other marine life by reducing oxygen in the water. Some scientists believe fertilizer runoff is a major part of the problem. The bill, CS/HB 1197, recognizes a need for better training and education regarding the safe use of consumer fertilizers. But the bill stated that, “Local government regulation of fertilizer uses for urban turf and landscape applications is not necessarily based on sound horticultural science and agronomic needs.” If passed, existing local ordinances could be challenged in court and forced to comply with state regulation. The task force, which would be made up of representatives from the fertilizer industry, agriculture, water management districts, the legislature, and local governments, would report on its findings and recommendations by Jan. 15, 2008. Further action would depend on the state legislature. Sarasota County fears the state would not take its problems with red tide fully into account. The county’s proposed ordinance would require time-released fertilizers and restrictions on applications within 25 feet of a waterway. The fertilizer industry is concerned that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to comply with ordinances in 67 counties and 408 municipalities. Several local governments already have fertilizer ordinances in place, including St. Johns County in northeastern Florida, while many others, including the city of Sarasota, were in the process of considering fertilizer ordinances, which will not be completed before the May 1 deadline.