30 June 2016

Tallahassee — With algae outbreaks turning South Florida’s coastal rivers and beaches a fluorescent green and No Swimming signs posted as we approach the Fourth of July holiday, the Florida Department of Agriculture is proposing to wipe out a state requirement that local governments use to monitor fertilizer use.

Cities, counties, and other organizations use state-reported fertilizer sales information to figure out how much pollution could be headed to local waterways. Excess fertilizer, manure, and partially treated sewage spark nasty algae outbreaks in public waters, like the one sliming the coast north of Palm Beach right now.

Incredibly, as this environmental crisis unfolds, the Florida Department of Agriculture is proposing to wipe out a state requirement that tracks how many tons of fertilizer are sold.

“The slime outbreaks on our South Florida coasts are heartbreaking,” said Earthjustice attorney Alisa Coe. “These slugs of fertilizer-laden water are coming from Lake Okeechobee. When they pump it to the coasts, you can see what happens. Instead of trying to hide information from the public, the Department of Agriculture ought to be trying to solve this public crisis.”

Earthjustice, representing the Environmental Confederation of Southwest Florida, is asking the state to hold a public hearing before it considers approving the rule to hide fertilizer information.