March 26 - City of Melbourne, Florida

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CITY OF MELBOURNE, FLORIDA MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING BEFORE CITY COUNCIL MARCH 26, 2013 sweeping; taking part in Florida Yards and Neighborhoods; education efforts; and requirements for development to provide treatment. Ms. Lamb said that she has heard some information disseminated that 80% of the City’s stormwater is untreated and goes to the lagoon. She clarified that about 80% of the City’s land area drains towards the Indian River Lagoon and the other 20% drains towards the St. Johns River. Some of that runoff is untreated. Property developed since the 1980s is required to have treated stormwater. Continuing, she advised that Florida law requires each municipal government located within a watershed of a water body that’s listed as an impaired water body for nutrients to adopt at minimum the state’s model ordinance. Ms. Lamb closed by saying that, as requested by the Mayor at the last meeting. Dr. Laurie Trenholm from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Services (IFAS) is ready to provide scientific data on fertilizer. Mayor Meehan said that if there are no objections, she would like to change the five minute speaking rule to three minutes per speaker (based on the number of people who signed up to speak). There were no objections. Dr. Laurie Trenholm, professor of environmental horticulture, University of Florida IFAS, said that she is going to present results of a research project, which looked specifically at nutrient leaching – both nitrate and phosphorus. The work involved an eight-year project in three locations statewide. It was funded completely by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection; no industry money funded the project. The purpose of the project was to quantify and verify the model ordinance that was developed in the early 2000s. The project started in 2004 and the final report was turned into the FDEP October 31, 2012. Dr. Trenholm reviewed a presentation with Council and highlighted the following: • The least amount of nitrate leaching occurred during fertilizer application cycles of June through early October because that is when grass is actively growing and able to take up the majority of nitrogen that is applied. Based on scientific data, having a summer fertilizer ban is not necessarily something that is going to benefit the environment and reduce nitrogen leaching. • On a percentage basis, there were relatively low rates of nitrogen leaching when grass is established. In many cases, it was less than one percent of applied nitrogen. • There were clearly larger amounts of nitrate leaching when fertilizer was applied during winter months. • Based on a 4 ½ year nitrogen leaching due to nitrogen source study, there were no significant differences in amount of nitrate that leached. Sources fell into categories including water soluble, quick release, and slow/controlled release. The reason is that healthy turf grass that has a dense root and shoot system is able to take up the nutrients. Page 6 of 26
CITY OF MELBOURNE, FLORIDA MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING BEFORE CITY COUNCIL MARCH 26, 2013 Dr. Trenholm stated that many people say every fertilization is a potential pollution event when, in actuality, healthy turf grass takes up fertilizer regardless of rate or source. She summarized by stating that the model ordinance follows eight years of scientific research and provides the maximum amount of protection when there is a healthy turf grass system. Council Member John Thomas asked Dr. Trenholm her opinion on having a winter blackout period. Ms. Trenholm replied that it probably makes more sense than a summer blackout period throughout many locations in Florida. There are probably some slow release products that could be applied safely during the winter months, although she doesn’t have the scientific data to fully back that up. Vice Mayor Tasker referenced the portion of the study conducted in Gainesville and asked if the turf was adjacent to a water source. Dr. Trenholm replied by describing the methods and process used during the research project. Ms. Tasker said that the banks of the Indian River Lagoon are both sheer and gentle. She asked if that would have any affect. Dr. Trenholm replied that slope can make a difference, but healthy turf cover will mitigate both leaching and runoff events. Ms. Tasker asked about the runoff or leaching when fertilizer is applied to turf that is not healthy. Ms. Trenholm said every site is going to have slightly different characteristics in terms of soil, slope, rooting, and turf cover. She discussed the key to fertilizer application when establishing or repairing turf. Council Member Greg Jones asked if it is practical for the state to have one model ordinance for all regions in Florida. Dr. Trenholm explained that the model ordinance was designed to not be completely specific to different geographic regions. More localized adaptations are allowed in the model ordinance by referencing the Green Industries Best Management Practices. In response to Mr. Jones, Ms. Trenholm explained the phosphorus study, which was somewhat similar (to the nitrogen study). She added that native Florida soils may have ample phosphorus; however, many soils in developed areas are “fill soils.” Following the model ordinance and allowing for judicious application, up to .5 pounds per 1,000 square feet, is probably the best. A phosphorus deficiency will result in weakened roots, weakened turf. Ms. Tasker asked Dr. Trenholm what she thinks is adversely affecting the Indian River Lagoon. Dr. Trenholm commented that urbanization is affecting our water resources everywhere. Multiple components can go into non-point source pollution. Mayor Meehan stated that she also invited Troy Rice from the Indian River Lagoon Program (St. Johns River Water Management District). Troy Rice said that he is here to talk about the condition of the Indian River Lagoon. He reported that the state of the estuary is in crisis. Over 32,000 acres of sea grass have been Page 7 of 26
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March 26 - City of Melbourne, Florida

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