Town council approves fertilizer ordinance
Fort Myers Beach Town Council members unanimously approved an ordinance that will restrict the use of fertilizer on Estero Island and require a three-foot buffer zone near bodies of water.
Residents will have 180 days to comply with the ordinance and council members also approved spending $5,000 for an education program for residents.
Beach council members followed Lee County, Sanibel, Bonita Springs and Fort Myers that have passed similar ordinances to restrict and regulate fertilizer use.
Local Planning Agency member Joanne Shamp spoke to council members on the importance of passing the ordinance during the first public hearing on the ordinance.
“Many people do not realize that fertilizers in use to day were actually designed after World War II for agricultural purposes on the heartland farms of America,” Shamp said. “The negative impact by the use of these same products in state bordered by water bodies and characterized by heavy rainy seasons was not recognized until recent years when scientists studied red time, red drift algae and other environmental water quality issues. The fertilizer industry has reacted by producing products appropriate to our region of the country and this ordinance provides the framework for educating the public and regulating the application of these new environmentally safe fertilizer products.”
The proposed ordinance was reviewed and recommended by the LPA, Marine Resources Task Force and an ad hoc committee, made up of town staff, MRTF chairman Charles Hester, LPA member Shamp, Anchor Advisory Committee chairman Jim Rodwell and former Beach mayor Dan Hughes.
Marti Daltry of the Fort Myers Sierra Club said after meeting with LPA and council members she was confident the measure would be approved.
“I am totally pleased having talked to you and the LPA members and I know you’re very concerned about the environment and about water quality,” Daltry said. “I’m optimistic that you’ll be passing this fertilizer ordinance tonight.”
Daltry offered her services to help educate residents of the proper use of fertilizer.
“The most important thing is spreading the message and getting the people to know what the ordinance is about,” she said.
Laura Miller, Director of Natural Resources of the League of Women Voters in Lee County and a Beach resident, said her organization has a long history of protecting the environment.
“I commend you for the action you’re considering in passing the fertilizer ordinance,” Miller said. “We have a wonderful resource here in Estero Bay and we should spare no effort in protecting it.”
Miller added that she would like council members to consider expanding the buffer zone from three feet to six feet.
Vice Mayor Herb Acken said expanding the zone would not be practical on Estero Island because of many small lots in residential areas.
“A six foot zone could be 25 percent of somebody’s yard,” Acken said. “Unfortunately, I think that’s too much for our situation.”
Councilman Tom Babcock, who moved for passage of the ordinance, said he would like for council members to review the success of implementing the ordinance in one year.
“I’d like to think that a year from now we’ll have a pretty good idea how we’ve done,” Babcock said.