The Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program (CHNEP) recommends against HB 421, and its companion SB 604, which preempts local governments from implementing its adopted ordinances restricting the type of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers used in the urban setting.

Urban Fertilizer Ordinances help achieve State Mandates

• Many waterbodies are impaired for nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients, as expressed by chlorophyll a, Trophic State Index (TSI) and dissolved oxygen levels.

• The State of Florida requires local governments to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus loads into such impaired water bodies.

• By constructing a filter marsh to remove nitrogen, it costs between $850 and $2500 for every pound of nitrogen removed. For phosphorus, the costs can be between $8,000 and $25,000 per pound.

• Lee County has estimated for every dollar they spend for education and enforcement of the ordinance, they save at least $294.

• Ranchers and growers are reducing their application of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers through enrollment in Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) Best Management Practices (BMP) Manuals, as well as other programs. If ranchers and growers reduce fertilizer application, why shouldn’t coastal urban residents follow suit?

• The atmosphere deposits an average of 5.3 pounds of nitrogen per acre every year. Commercial properties generate an average of 7.3 pounds of nitrogen for every acre.

• Lee County had copper impairments removed from the state impairments list. Copper sulfate is used to kill algae in lakes that are triggered with excess nutrients. The state saved money from having to develop a Total Maximum Daily Load for the copper impairments and Lee County saved money from having to develop and implement a Basin Management Action Plan.

Urban Fertilizer Ordinances help the Florida Economy

• In 2010, 73% of tourists to Lee County report that a clean, unspoiled environment influenced their travel decision, up from 2009.

• Reduced fertilizer use has improved water-based tourism and recreational fishing by reducing harmful algae bloom growth, filamentous green algae growth, drift algae growth, and blue green algae growth.

• More than a dozen Florida fertilizer manufacturers have benefited economically be filling the need for new Florida-specific formulations. This economic engine, employment and multipliers stay in Florida.

• Landscape contractors report a reduction in fertilizer use of hundreds of tons annually, with their continued ability to deliver lush verdant landscapes. They also report a reduced need for insecticides, fungicides and water. This saves the company and their clients’ money.

• Using proper landscaping techniques with less fertilizer can effectively increase the value of a property while benefiting the environment. Attractive, water-efficient, low maintenance landscapes can increase property values between 7 to 14 percent, according to USEPA (1993).

• Reduced use of man-made fertilizers decreases energy use for irrigation, mowing, fertilizer manufacturing, and less fossil fuels used in transport to site, powered equipment use on-site, and disposal of yard waste.

• Reduced fertilizer use has improved fisheries habitat by reducing dissolved chlorophyll, which improves water clarity over seagrass beds.

Urban Fertilizer Ordinances as adopted are Effective

• Since adoption of Urban Fertilizer ordinances by all but one local government around Charlotte Harbor, nitrogen and phosphorus levels have markedly decreased.

• Less inorganic nitrogen delivered by fertilizers lead to more fish and less algae.

• Landscape contractors report a reduction in fertilizer use of hundreds of tons annually, with no ill effect to plants. They also report a reduced need for insecticides, fungicides and water. This reduces water bills and costs of pesticides.

Urban Fertilizer Ordinances are Currently Enforceable

• Dozens of fines and warnings have been issued from random inspections of the professional landscape industry. Preemptively exempting the landscape industry would render local urban fertilizer ordinances ineffective.

Urban Fertilizer Ordinances Improves Public Health

• Reduced safe fertilizer use has reduced the incidence of rashes, skin reactions and respiratory problems in susceptible humans.

• Toxic algae growth is promoted by excess nutrients.

• Reduced safe fertilizer use has reduced the probability of toxic reactions to fertilizer for domestic dogs, domestic cats, and wildlife.