Sen. Charles S. "Charlie"Dean, Sr.'s S 604 Fertilizer Use on Urban Landscapes will be heard in the Senate Agriculture committee Monday, Dec. 5, 2011 at 12:30 p.m.Please call the committee members and urge them to vote NO on this bill which would exempt lawn workers holding “limited certification” from any restrictions on fertilizer application. The only urban turf fertilizer restrictions in Florida
Fertilizer is a potent source of nitrogen and phosphorous which cause harmful algal blooms that threaten public health, lower property values, and damage the ecosystems necessary for Florida’s water based economic activities such as commercial and recreational fishing, and tourism.
A person-to-person communication is best (visit or phone call). Be sure to ask the name of the person you speak to. More talking points are below the contact information for committee members.
If you send an email be sure to include “Please vote NO on SB 604” or similar language in the subject line. Contact information is below for all committee members. They will be in their district offices today and tomorrow (Friday). If you call the Capitol office on Monday morning, be
prepared to leave a brief voice message. And be sure to mention if you are a constituent or if you live in one of the counties they represent.
prepared to leave a brief voice message. And be sure to mention if you are a constituent or if you live in one of the counties they represent.
Thanks! Your calls do make a difference!
Senate Agriculture Committee 2012
Sen. JD Alexander DeSoto, Glades, Hardee,
District phone: (863) 679-4847
Capitol phone: (850) 487-5044
alexander.jd.web@flsenate.gov
Sen. Larcenia J. Bullard, Vice Chair
Broward, Collier, Hendry, Miami-Dade,
District phone: (305) 668-7344
Capitol phone: (850) 487-5127
bullard.larcenia.web@flsenate.gov
Sen. Paula Dockery
Hernando, Lake, Osceola, Polk,
District phone: (863) 413-2900
Capitol phone: (850) 487-5040
dockery.paula.web@flsenate.gov
Sen. Rene Garcia
Miami-Dade
District phone: (305) 364-3100
Capitol phone: (850) 487-5106
garcia.rene.web@flsenate.gov
Sen. Alan Hays
Lake,
District phone: (352) 742-6441
Capitol phone: (850) 487-5014
hays.alan.web@flsenate.gov
Sen. Bill Montford
Bay, Calhoun,
District phone: (850) 653-2656
Capitol phone: (850) 487-5004
montford.bill.web@flsenate.gov
Sen. David Simmons
District phone: (407) 262-7578
Capitol phone: (850) 487-5050
simmons.david.web@flsenate.gov
Sen. Gary Siplin, Chairman
District phone: (407) 297-2071
Capitol phone: (850) 487-5190
siplin.gary.web@flsenate.gov
Ironically, the bill inserts legislative findings saying how important best management practices are for commercial fertilizer application. Then it exempts lawn applicators from precisely those best management practices!
In fact, the bill exempts holders of “limited certification” from any restrictions BECAUSE THERE ARE NO RESTRICTIONS OTHER THAN LOCAL ONES. This bill is complete carte blanche for lawn applicators. There is no state regulation of fertilizer application and the bill preempts local ordinances!
Additional Talking Points:
The proposed exemption is based on ZERO data or science – there is no proof that the exemption is needed for any reason! Sarasota County
At least 40 municipalities and 6 counties in
The exemption would also allow commercial applicators to ignore other protective measures found in local ordinances – they would be able to use even more quick release nitrogen fertilizer than is recommended by the Green Industries BMP Manual, apply it closer to at-risk bodies of water, and apply phosphorous fertilizer year round without proving there is a deficiency.
An exemption for commercial applicators would also:
1. Establish two classes of homeowner: If you can afford a professional then you can ignore your responsibility to the community. It is a “pay to pollute” arrangement, but the proceeds don’t go to mitigation or elimination of the source of the pollutant; they go to the polluter!
2. Give an unfair advantage to the commercial applicators over the distributors and vendors of ordinance compliant do-it-yourself products.
3. Undercut voluntary compliance and make enforcement of the rainy season ban impossible. Enforcement is only possible when (1) all applicators (professional and homeowner) are obligated to follow the same rules, and (2) the restricted period is defined by easy to understand parameters. Without an across-the-board rainy season ban the homeowner rainy season ban is unenforceable.
4. Directly conflict with IFAS County Extension and FDEP recommendations found in the Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Handbook (FYN Handbook) in regards to fertilizer-free zones, rainy season application, yearly total nitrogen application rates, and percentage slow/controlled release nitrogen.
Under SB 604 lawn applicators would be able to ignore these best practices from the FYN Handbook:
· No Fertilizer application within 10 feet of a waterbody
· No fertilizer containing N or P June 1 – September 30
· Limit total Nitrogen to 4 lb/1000ft2 per year
· Use no less than 50% water insoluble, or slow release Nitrogen fertilizer
1 comment:
Your perceptions on the affect of applying fertilizer during the summer months is scientifically invalid. The peer reviewed scientific research studies done by the University of Florida prove this fact. You cling to scientific studies when they support your claims but you ignore them when they don't which exposes you as nothing more than an extremist. Why don't you point out the fact that in the areas where there have been fertilizer restrictions for years there has been NO improvent in water quality?? No one should be fooled by this form of modern day "yellow journalism"
Post a Comment