Stop Fertilizer Pollution From Harming Our Waterways

Marco Island is one of the only municipalities in Southwest Florida without an ordinance to reduce fertilizer pollution into our water. Pollution from nutrients in fertilizers can contribute to harmful algal blooms resulting in dead fish washing up on our beaches — it also poses risks to human health, economics, and the environment.

Contact the Marco Island City Council to endorse adopting a strong fertilizer ordinance that can help protect our waterways.

Southwest Florida Needs the Gold Standard

• Fertilizers, containing nitrogen or phosphorous, are a contributor to nutrient pollution that can be minimized with the right standards in place.
• Clean and productive waters are the lifeblood of our area’s tourism economy, and directly relates to our quality of life.
• It is more costly to clean up water pollution than to prevent it. Strong fertilizer ordinances have saved other cities millions of taxpayer dollars and tons of pollutants from entering the waterways.
• Waters in Marco are at risk for pollution, and some already require restoration. The critical condition of our local waterways call for the strongest standards, as has already been adopted by over 90 local municipalities from City of Naples to Tampa and beyond.

Support A Fertilizer Ordinance That:

• Bans application during the rainy season (June 1-Sept. 30) to prevent nutrients from running off into our waterways.
• Limits fertilizers containing phosphorous. Southwest Florida lawns typically do not require additional application of phosphorous.
• Requires a minimum of 50 percent slow-release nitrogen in the product used. This will help ensure that rain or over irrigation will not result in fertilizer leaching or runoff.
• Restricts application to a maximum of 4 lbs. of nitrogen per 1,000 ft. per year — any excess may end up in our waters.
• Provides for a minimum 10 foot fertilizer-free buffer at the water’s edge; however, 25 feet would be even better to help reduce runoff directly into our waters.

The Conservancy of Southwest Florida is working with Marco Island’s decision makers to adopt an ordinance that will protect our sensitive waterways and beaches — WE NEED YOUR HELP!

• Attend the City Council meeting and give three-minute testimony on February 16, 2016 at 5:30pm. Location is the Community Room at 51 Bald Eagle Drive, Marco Island, FL 34145.
• Email each of the Marco Island City Council members to support the strongest fertilizer ordinance –above and beyond what the State recommends as a minimum- for the City’s waters — to the contacts below.