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More than 10-thousand acres of seagrasses Fish, Oysters, Clams, Shrimp, Crabs The J.N. 'Ding' Darling National Wildlife Refuge Recreational fishing industry Commercial fishing industry The entire estuary system Southwest Florida's economic future

Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council Approves Lower West Coast Watersheds Subcommittee First Stormwater Run-Off Resolution

PRESS CONTACT Rebekah Harp Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council (239) 338-2550 Ext. 217 Email: rharp@swfrpc.org

FORT MYERS, FL (September 18, 2008) The Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council (SWFRPC) announced its approval of the first of three resolutions concerning stormwater run-off that was prepared by the Council's Lower West Coast Watersheds Subcommittee. The Subcommittee, lead by Mayor Mick Denham of the City of Sanibel, submitted to the Council a resolution as part of its continuing efforts to address stormwater run-off in urban and suburban areas of the region. This work is an effort to address current water quality problems that are present in the bays, estuaries, and rivers in the region and in the Gulf of Mexico adjacent to the area beaches.

The resolution supported the treatment of stormwater from new development and previously-developed non-agricultural areas of the region in order to reduce pollutant sources including nitrogen and phosphorus, which cause excessive plant growth in water bodies and upsets the region's valuable ecosystem. The resolution also recommended actions for sustainable stormwater treatment control for water quality and quantity and provided for public funding of the future stormwater management systems. In addition, the resolution provided for citizen education as it relates to the importance of stormwater treatment and methods for improving water quality in the region.

Southwest Florida is a region where the water quality of the bays, estuaries, rivers, lakes, wetlands, bayous and the Gulf of Mexico is critical to the region's environmental, economic, and recreational prosperity and to the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of this region; and

The recent increased frequency and duration of red tide and blue green algae blooms, increased accumulation of red drift algae on local beaches and other algae and water related problems have heightened community concerns about water quality and cultural eutrophication of surrounding waters.

By approving the proposed resolution, the Regional Planning Council stated that there is a need to develop a stronger understanding of the connection between activities in yards, streets, and the built environment including its stormwater systems and natural water bodies among all those who live, work and recreate in the Southwest Florida Region.

The resolution is part of a multi-pronged effort by the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council to reduce nutrient leaching and runoff problems by actions including stormwater management, water conservation, septic systems, central sewage treatment, public education, restoration of surface and groundwater levels, and regional drainage of native habitats and ecosystems.

Tropical Storm Fay Inundates Florida, Army Corps of Engineers Releases Water from Lake Okeechobee

Slow-moving Fay dropped up to 22 inches of water in the Caloosahatchee Basin in late August with some areas north of Lake O receiving over 30 inches. Coupled with additional summer rains, and a brush with Tropical Storm Hanna, the Lake rose over 4 feet in August to just over 15 feet in elevation on September 8. With a continuing torrent of inflow from the Kissimee Valley, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began releasing water from the Lake to both the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie Rivers on September 4. These releases, measured at the Lake, were to average 4,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) for the Caloosahatchee and 1800 cfs for the St. Lucie (see Corps press announcement in the "Latest Release Info" page on this website). Combined with the already tremendous volumes of water flowing into the estuary from the river basin alone, these discharges are making a bad situation worse, both in terms of salinity extremes and nutrient loading.

City staff is working to minimize release volumes and improve the timing of the releases through input to a weekly teleconference with the Corps staff charged with managing the Lake but the rapid rise combined with concerns about additional rainfall from the remainder of the rainy season and hurricane seasons and the integrity of the Herbert Hoover Dike is proving challenging. The potential for algae blooms and red tide to be the result of all these freshwater releases with their high nutrient and sediment loads is alarming to locals who have seen a slow and still incomplete estuarine recovery from the extreme Lake releases in 2004 and 2005.

BE WISE IF YOU FERTILIZE

City Transitions from Education to Enforcement of Fertilizer Ordinance

As the rainy season begins, the City of Sanibel would like to remind all citizens, landscape and pest control professionals that frequent and unpredictable summer downpours increase the opportunities for nutrient run-off to enter our local waters. By not applying nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers, you can be part of the City's on-going effort to minimize local and regional nutrient pollution.

BEGINNING JULY 1ST, FERTILIZERS CONTAINING NITROGEN AND/OR PHOSPHORUS MAY NOT BE APPLIED TO LAWNS OR LANDSCAPE PLANTS. Applications of these nutrients, where needed, may resume on October 1 in accordance with the City's fertilizer regulations adopted by City Council in 2007.

Over the last six months, the City has worked diligently to educate its citizens, landscape and pest control professionals, and staff about the harmful effects of improper fertilizer use. To date, the City of Sanibel has:

* Mailed the "Be Wise if You Fertilize" DVD and brochure to all property owners on Sanibel

* Certified 91 fertilizer applicators (http://www.mysanibel.com/Building/)

* Completed training of all Police and Code Enforcement staff

* Given 7 Invited Presentations to island organizations

* Set-up and staffed a Fertilizer Information Booth at 4 homeowners' association meetings and 9 other island events

* Posted 23 Point of Sale displays with brochures

* Developed the City's Fertilizer Education Website (launch TBD)

* Offered 9 native plant tours of the grounds at City Hall

For lawns and landscape plants that may need summer nutrients beyond those available in the soil, consider the following:

* Nitrogen is responsible for plant growth. To achieve a "green-up" without unwanted growth, a micronutrient fertilizer containing iron may be used.

* When you mow, leave the grass clippings on your lawn. As the clippings break down, the nutrients will be recycled back to your lawn.

* Most Sanibel soils have enough naturally occurring phosphorus to support healthy plants. Unless a soil test indicates otherwise, save money and choose "no phosphorus" products year-round.

For more information regarding fertilizer use on Sanibel, view the Sanibel Fertilizer Video at http://www.mysanibel.com/NaturalResources/ or contact the Natural Resources Department at (239) 472-3700.

To report violations of the Sanibel Fertilizer Ordinance, please contact the Sanibel Police Department at (239) 472-3111.

City Council Sets Caloosahatchee Project Priorities

As part of the Caloosahatchee River Watershed Protection Plan (CRWPP), the South Florida Water Management District created a technical working group, including Sanibel Mayor Mick Denham and Natural Resources Department staff. This group has been tasked with developing a list of management measures: projects that will improve water quality in the Caloosahatchee River. The complete list of proposed measures includes 127 projects, some of which will result in little or no improvement on the River's water quality.

The Sanibel City Council has decided at their May 6 meeting to look for consensus with other major stakeholders on several "big bang for the buck" projects. Given the current budget climate in Florida, the best way to get these critical projects funded is through consensus building and by speaking with one voice.

Projects selected for priority ranking by City Council include 1) a filter marsh (stormwater treatment area or STA) for the proposed new C-43 reservoir, 2) Lake Hicpochee storage/flow-way/water quality treatment feature, 3) Centralized Recyclable Water Containment Areas (RWCA's) for storage and treatment of agricultural run-off, 4) Lehigh Acres Centralized Wastewater Treatment and Re-use conversion project and 5) a filter marsh for Billy Creek.

New Lake Okeechobee Water Regulation Schedule in Effect

Following over two years of consensus building and evaluation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced the final approval of the new Lake Okeechobee Water Regulation Schedule (LORS). This will replace the former "Water Supply Environment" (WSE) water management plan for the Lake. The new schedule, while it does not completely deter the threat of massive water releases from the Lake when heavy rains threaten the integrity of the surrounding Herbert Hoover Dike, does makes improvements to the way the Lake is managed. It seeks to keep the Lake at an overall lower level and authorizes relatively low volume water releases to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee Rivers at more environmentally acceptable rates of flow. It also requires the use of public lands for emergency water storage prior to major river releases. With close scrutiny and regular input, it is hoped this new schedule will reduce the number, severity and duration of future environmentally damaging massive releases from Lake Okeechobee.

2008 State Legislative Session Results

Water quality related legislation and funding levels for important projects achieved mixed results in this year's Tallahassee Session, which ended in early May. On the positive side, $300 million in continued funding for the Florida Forever Program ensured continued aggressive acquisition of needed parks, conservation lands and greenspace at a time when property values may be at bargain levels. Everglades project funding was reduced from a proposed $200 million a year level to $50 million a year, a decision sure to slow progress on critical restoration projects. A potentially destructive bill that would have negatively affected local governments' ability to pass their own regulations regarding fertilizer was defeated.

A bill that unfortunately did not pass would have required the State Department of Environmental Protection to identify the source of bacterial contamination when Health Department testing results in beach swimming advisories. This bill also would have required notification of local governments when sewage treatment facilities are operating out of compliance with State water quality regulations.

This important legislation, initiated by Sanibel City Council following beach swimming advisories being posted at Bowman's Beach and Blind pass, stalled in the Senate. Sanibel City Council has indicated they will seek to have this bill revived and passed in next year's session.

Algae Study Update

On May 6, 2008, Sanibel City Council received grants in the amount of $576,810, from Lee County for a comprehensive study to understand the dynamics of harmful algae growth in the waters of Lee County. The City of Sanibel will also be contributing $192,272 towards the study. This 24-month project will be overseen by the City of Sanibel's Natural Resources Department. Study to be conducted by Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) as lead contractor. The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) will be a sub-contractor.

Lee County Solid Waste Division Announces Operation of Permanent Household Chemical Waste Facility

The City of Sanibel received notification from the Lee County Solid Waste Division that they have opened a permanent Household Chemical Waste Facility located at 6441 Topaz Court, Fort Myers. (See driving instructions from Sanibel below). The permanent facility is open to all Lee County residents from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday (closed on Lee County Government observed holidays).

As Lee County taxpayers, Sanibel residents are urged to utilize this facility to dispose of household chemicals in addition to disposal at the City's annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day. Residents are particularly reminded, as we approach hurricane season, to clean out old, unused or expired household chemicals that could contaminate local waters in the event of a storm surge. Residents may also dispose of any unused fertilizer not in compliance with the City of Sanibel's recently adopted and amended Fertilizer Ordinance at the permanent Household Chemical Waste Facility.

Household Chemical waste includes the following materials:

*Ammunition *Antifreeze, Gasoline and Motor Oil *Auto/Boat/Motorcycle/Household/Rechargeable batteries *Cell Phones *Fertilizer *Fluorescent Bulbs and Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs *Medication and Used Syringes/Sharps *Empty Paint Cans and Partially Emptied Paint Cans *Propane Tanks

To package and transport chemicals safely, please take the following precautions:

*DO NOT mix chemicals together.

*Keep products in original containers, if possible.

*Label materials that are not in their original containers.

*Label unknown items to the extent possible. If unaware of a specific product name, provide product category such as pesticide or cleaning product.

*Place containers into cardboard boxes and use crumpled newspaper in boxes to prevent breakage.

*Place leaking containers within a larger plastic container containing an absorption material such as cat litter and seal with a tight-fitting lid.

*Put boxes in the trunk or in back of vehicles away from passengers. If you must transport the products in the passenger compartment, make sure there is adequate ventilation.

*DO NOT smoke while transporting hazardous materials.

For additional information regarding Lee County's new permanent Household Chemical Waste Facility, please contact Lee County Solid Waste at (239) 533-8000, or visit their website located at http://www.lee-county.com/solidwaste/.

Driving Instructions from Sanibel to the Lee County Household Chemical Waste Facility: *Take Sanibel Causeway to Summerlin Road. *Take Summerlin Road to Gladiolus and merge right (east) onto Gladiolus. *Gladiolus becomes Six Mile Cypress Parkway on the east side of US 41/Tamiami Trail. *Turn left (north) onto Metro Parkway. (Sun Harvest Citrus in on the right (south) side of the intersection at Metro Parkway and Six Mile Cypress) *Proceed north on Metro Parkway (Crossing over Daniel's Parkway) *Topaz Court is on the right (east) side of Metro Parkway just north of Crystal Drive. *Household Chemical Waste Facility is at the end of Topaz Court on the left hand side. *Drive up to front door unloading area under the canopy and Lee County staff will unload the hazardous material for you.

Sanibel Pharmacies Agree to Dispose of Unused Pharmaceuticals and Protect Sanibel's Water Quality

Improper disposal of prescription and over the counter pharmaceuticals pass through sewage treatment plants and septic tanks into surface waters, soils and groundwater. Pharmaceuticals can kill helpful bacteria in septic systems and pass largely untouched through sewage treatment plants. The US Environmental Protection Agency has recently cautioned consumers against disposing of hormones and contraceptives that contain hormones, down the toilet or sink as the estrogen can contaminate streams, rivers and lakes. Other pharmaceuticals that have been identified in water supplies include: beta blockers, caffeine, valium, albuterol and anti-inflammatory drugs.

The City of Sanibel encourages residents to dispose of their unused or expired prescriptions and over the counter pharmaceuticals by dropping them off at the following locations:

*Island Pharmacy, 2330 Palm Ridge Road, #12 (239) 472-6188

*CVS Pharmacy, 2331 Palm Ridge Road (239) 472-1719

Each of the local pharmacies has agreed to properly dispose of medications. If you cannot drop your medications off at the pharmacy and must dispose of them in the trash, take the following precautions:

*Scratch or tear your name, address, phone number and medication information off of the label to protect your identity.

*Leave the medication in the original pill bottle and add water. Allow pills to dissolve in water and then add flour or a thickening agent. You can also use an undesirable substance such as coffee grounds or kitty litter.

*Place pill bottles in an impermeable, nondescript container before placing in trash.

By dropping off your unwanted medications for disposal at your local pharmacy, you are protecting your identity while protecting Sanibel's fragile water quality and environment.

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