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Fertilizer Legislation


The Florida legislature is continuing attempts to undermine local fertilizer ordinances, including those of Lee County and the City of Sanibel.

HB 457 will be heard in the House State Affairs Committee on Thursday, 4/7/11 at 8 a.m.

Since the new amended bill was not going to be released until 6 p.m. Wednesday, we will not have a chance to respond to it before the committee meeting on Thursday. Due to the work of our local Representatives Williams and Aubuchon we anticipate that existing local ordinances will be grandfathered in the amended bill.

Points to make about the legislation when contacting legislators:

  • Local communities are the ones financially responsible to clean up nutrient impaired waters
  • Addressing sources of pollution is the most cost effective option
  • Preventing nutrient runoff and pollution is cheaper than cleaning up impaired waters
  • Lawns are not agriculture. This is not about food production. But lawns do contribute to nutrient run off.
  • A grandfather clause is needed to protect existing ordinances
  • The bill still leaves the majority of the state, including those communities with nutrient impaired waters, with less than protective standards
  • Many communities have drafted but not passed ordinances. They also need local options to address impaired waters with stronger conditions than the statewide model rule . (Includes: Manatee, Martin, Brevard & Collier Counties and City of Punta Gorda and Marco Island).
  • The current bill language is contrary to the Mote Marine Policy Institute recommendations 2007 Red Tide Assessment.

Also, Representative Williams has taken a stand against preemption. Urge her to allow all communities with impaired waters the same right to pass locally stricter ordinances.

Posted 4/6/11