CONSUMER FERTILIZER TASK FORCE SURVEY SUMMARY September 3, 2007 Number of Task Force Member Respondents: 11
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CONSUMER FERTILIZER TASK FORCE SURVEY SUMMARY September 3, 2007 Number of Task Force Member Respondents: 11. Names of Respondents: Jay Arend, Dr. Peter J. Barile, Jerry Brooks, Richard Budell, Casey Fitzgerald, Richard Martinez, Bryan Nelson, Andy Rackley, Karen A. Taylor, Jerry Burton Sartain. 1. FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, WHAT IS THE KEY PROBLEM THE TASK FORCE HAS BEEN ASKED TO ADDRESS? Keep water bodies and ecosystems healthy through statewide policy guidelines, regulation and education. Member survey responses • Make recommendations regarding consumer use of fertilizer products that can/will result in statewide guidelines. The intent of the guidelines is to reduce any negative environmental impacts of said consumer use. • Come up with statewide guidelines to help keep our water bodies healthy. • Creating a regulatory document which will have state-wide applications for non-agricultural use of fertilizers for the betterment of the state's environment, waterways, wildlife, tourism, groundwater/aquifer water quality, and economy quality of life of Florida's residents and visitors. • The key problem the task force needs to address is the adverse environmental, social and economic impact created by the application of fertilizer in urban settings. The impacts of nutrients to Florida’s lake, river, spring and coastal ecosystems are extensive and problematic. • To assess the role of state government, and provide recommendations to the state legislature, on the development of policy to regulate and provide education on consumer fertilizer use in the state of Florida. Uniform, consistent and reasonable control of fertilizers in the urban environment. Member survey responses • How to uniformly and reasonably control the use of fertilizers in the urban environment. • The fertilizer ordinance must be consistent across municipal boundaries to be effective. Evaluate management needs in addressing fertilizer as a source of nutrient enrichment. Member survey responses • Fertilizer is recognized as one source of nutrients contributing to nutrient enrichment of Florida's surface waters. Effective management of fertilizer to minimize the risk of nutrient losses to surface waters must involve state and local government. The Task Force is tasked with evaluating the management needs and how best to integrate those into the authority of local and state government. Set fertilizer quality standards addressing labeling and application. Member survey responses • To set a standard of quality of fertilizer products, make sure they are properly label, and educate the public as to proper application so not to harm the environment. Legislative Findings (SECTION 10, 576.092 F.S.) The legislature finds that: (a) There is a need for better training and education regarding the proper use of consumer fertilizers. (b) There should exist a mechanism to help local governments promote and encourage the proper use of fertilizers, thereby eliminating or minimizing the potential for environmental impacts. (c) Local governments regulation of fertilizer uses for non-agricultural applications should be based on sound science including water quality, agronomics, and horticulture. (d) There is a need for education regarding the use of consumer fertilizers. (e)There is a need for improved standards regarding non-agricultural fertilizer use and application. (f) While the constituents in fertilizer are naturally occurring in the environment, the improper use of fertilizer can be one of many contributors to non-point source pollution. (g) The state’s local governments are potentially subject to regulatory enforcement action by state or federal entities as a result of non-point source pollution caused by storm-water runoff.. Consumer Fertilizer Task Force- Member Survey Summary, 9-3-07 1 2. FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, WHAT ARE THE KEY ISSUE(S)/QUESTIONS YOU BELIEVE NEED TO BE ADDRESSED BY THE TASK FORCE IN EACH OF THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES? A. NUTRIENT ENRICHMENT AND SURFACE WATERS DUE TO FERTILIZER: “1. Assessing existing data and information regarding nutrient enrichment and surface waters due to fertilizer, assessing management strategies for reducing water quality impacts associated with fertilizer, and identifying additional research needs.” 1. Define the issue(s) the Task Force should address, as you see it. Overview of Issues Identified • Understanding through research the impacts of consumer fertilizer on Florida’s lake, river, spring and coastal ecosystems. • Monitoring the use of consumer fertilizers • Educating the Public on the Proper Use of Consumer Fertilizers • Best Management Practices • Regulation- Labeling and Use • Alternative Products and Uses a. Build understanding through research the impacts of consumer fertilizer on Florida’s lake, river, spring and coastal ecosystems. Member survey responses • Teasing out the effect of nutrients from fertilizers as opposed to nutrients from all other sources (e.g. rainfall, septic tanks, etc...) • Not a major problem as a direct result of fertilizer use on turf • Provide information on the relationship of escalating residential consumer fertilizer usage to federal mandates (e.g. EPA TMDL's) promulgated to state and local governments to reduce nutrient loading to surface and ground waters. • Nutrient losses from fertilizer are directly related to site specific factor that have not been fully defined. • Assembly of the best data on total use and use method. • The impacts of nutrients to Florida’s lake, river, spring and coastal ecosystems are extensive and problematic. What do we know about the nature of the problem faced? Member survey responses • How much of the degradation of Florida’s water resources is attributable to fertilizers? • What are the minimum fertilizer requirements for “healthy: lawns (by grass type, nutrient and soil type)? • Can we clearly define the segments of use, their total nutrient input, and the typical (not extreme) output or flow off-site? • What are the variables that influence the movement of nutrients associated with fertilizer applications? • What damage is being done to the environment presently? • Has this damage increased or decreased year to year? • How does this environmental damage relate to the rate of population growth in the state? • What are sustainable consumer fertilizer application rates as compared to acceptable nitrogen and phosphorus loadings in Florida's coastal watersheds? • Where are the data relating turf fertilization to problem • How much nitrogen and phosphorus actually leaves the average home lawn or sports complex? What are the possible strategies? • Obtain correct data and information Consumer Fertilizer Task Force- Member Survey Summary, 9-3-07 2 • Implement studies to measure offsite movement of nutrients.... evaluate strategies to keep nutrients onsite. • Industry, government, and academia need to combine data sets to address. • Implement on a prioritized basis research necessary to better understand nutrient dynamics as influenced by site- specific conditions. • Establish on ongoing review process that ensures the comprehensive structure of local and state regulations reflect current scientific understanding. • I would broaden it to include grass clippings, leaves and fertilizers as non-point source pollution. • Monitor the surface and groundwater quality throughout the duration. What information is needed? • Fertilizer purchase/application data, and nitrogen & phosphorus reduction mandates for specific coastal watersheds in Florida. • The correct information relative to turf fertilization and environmental impact. • We need to know how much nitrogen and phosphorus turf grass actually needs to sustain itself... We need to better understand how to keep the nutrients that are applied on the application site. • How much damage is caused by these non-point sources and how much can be reduced by having the homeowners fertilizing and removing plant debris in the proper manner • Understand the difference in the manufacturing of fertilizers. Understand the importance of density of product when applied by a spinner spreader. Understand how application of product near waterways can be handled. Understand analysis and amount applied ratio. • Document and establish that there is a need for regulation of non-agricultural fertilizers. Is the need critical at this point? • Scientific overview of the ecological and human health impacts from excessive nutrients in Florida’s aquatic ecosystems. Scientific portrayal of the role and relative contribution that fertilizers play in the degradation of Florida’s aquatic ecosystems. • Do we have the numbers we need? At what level of granularity do we need it (how local)? • What information currently exists regarding fertilizers and nutrient fate and transport. b. Best Management Practices and Control Strategies Member survey responses • Establish BMPs for use near water bodies. • Provide incentives for proper fertilizer use or alternative uses. What improvements in regulation, management practices and control strategies are needed? • What management practices or restrictions are appropriate and effective in addressing the variables that control nutrient movement? • What authority exists within local and state government to implement appropriate control strategies? • Is additional authority needed to implement effective control strategies • What factors need to be considered in establishing effective control strategies? • What potential conflicts must be considered and addressed as part of a strategy that depends upon an integration of