FDEP Model Fertilizer Ordinance Proposed revisions, call for comments and meeting announcement.

Subject: RE: FDEP Model Fertilizer Ordinance Proposed revisions, call for comments and meeting announcement.

 

Thank you to all who have taken the time and effort to comment.  All were considered, and some will be considered further.  I have attached a revised proposed model that will be discussed at the meeting on the 24^th, along with a summary of the comments received, and a few I responded to.  In 3 cases, the comments are in embedded files and must be opened from the spreadsheet.  I encourage you to print out the materials, as limited copies will be available on-site, especially at the remote sites where we may not have DEP folks attending with copies.

 

We currently have only 19 people attending at Gainesville, 3 at Ft. Lauderdale and 5 at Immokalee, 5 at Balm. 2 at Apopka, and no one at Milton.

 

Due to the low turnout, I have suggested the RECs use their small conferencing rooms instead of the big classrooms, which will make a better viewing environment.

 

Model Ordinance for Florida-Friendly Fertilizer Use on Urban Landscapes

2010 Revision Meeting, 24 June,

Room 209 of  Emerson Alumni Hall  (or locations below by Videoconferencing)

University of Florida, Gainesville

10am-4pm

Please RSVP

your preferred location to attend

to Lori Jarvis (gi.bmp@ifas.ufl.edu), Phone (352) 273-4517

 

 

To view a map of Emerson, you can use the UF map search—go to http://campusmap.ufl.edu/ and type “Emerson Alumni Hall” into the search box at the upper left.  Satellite videoconference sites at Balm, Immokalee, Apopka, Milton, and Ft. Lauderdale (please RSVP for this site.) RECs

Apopka:                         Room

Address: 2725 S. Binion Road, Apopka, FL 32703-8504
Phone: (407)884-2034
Fax: (407)814-6186
Email: mrec
Website: http://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/
Map:

********************************************************

Balm:                          Room

Address: 14625 CR 672, Wimauma, FL 33598
Phone: (813)634-0000
Fax: (813)634-0001
Website: http://gcrec.ifas.ufl.edu
Map:

******************************************

Ft. Lauderdale                  Room

Address: 3205 College Avenue, Davie, FL 33314-7719
Phone: (954)577-6300
Fax: (954)475-4125
Email: flrec@ufl.edu
Website: http://flrec.ifas.ufl.edu
Map:

******************************************

Immokalee:                      Room

Address: 2686 Hwy 29 N, Immokalee, FL 34142-9515
Phone: (239)658-3400
Fax: (239)658-3469
Email: swfrec@ufl.edu
Website: http://www.imok.ufl.edu
Map:

*******************************************************

Milton:                         Room 4822

Address: 5988 Hwy 90; Bldg 4900, Milton, FL 32583
Phone: (850)983-5216
Fax: (850)983-5774
Email: sdavis02@ufl.edu
Website: http://wfrec.ufl.edu
Map:

 

 

Subject: FDEP Model Fertilizer Ordinance Proposed revisions, call for comments and meeting announcement.

 

Thank you for your interest in the Department’s Model Fertilizer Ordinance revisions for 2010, and welcome to those who are new to our distribution list.

 

This email serves 2 purposes, to transmit the Department’s proposed changes to the Model Ordinance, and a copy of the original for those who may not have it, and to provide logistical details on the upcoming public meeting to take additional comments. Since many new people have been added to the distribution list, I am also repeating the material in the first email.

 

At this time, the Department intends to limit changes to clarifications, updates to recognize changes in Florida Statutes, and technical updates based on new scientific research or consistency with other Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ documents.

 

In an effort to maximize the convenience for public participation, we intend to make use of our partnership with the University of Florida’s Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ program to offer 2-way videoconference sites throughout the state.  The intent is that no citizen should have to drive more than 3 hours to a meeting site, and most will be within a 2 hour drive.  The proposed site locations are listed below , although we await confirmation of availability and room capacities.

 

Emerson Alumni Hall  on the UF Campus can seat about 85 people in addition to DEP Staff, and will serve as the host site for the videoconferencing.  Please let Lori Jarvis (gi.bmp@ifas.ufl.edu) at UF  know as soon as possible where you plan to attend the meeting, as all sites are somewhat limited.  She will coordinate the IFAS facilities.  The UF/IFAS Research and Education Centers (RECs) usually have both a small conference room (10-15 people, but a better video view) and a classroom (30-50 people, harder to see, hear, and be heard) with videoconferencing capabilities.  It will be to everyone’s benefit to select the correct room to be set up.  We set the date to take advantage of the break between summer terms.

 

Please feel free to email comments, there is no need to follow up with a paper copy.

 

 As described in our Email of May 19^th, the Department is beginning to revise the Florida Friendly Landscaping™ (FFL) book:  “Florida Friendly Landscape Guidance Models for Ordinances, Covenants, and Restrictions”, including updates to the “Model Ordinance for Florida-Friendly Fertilizer Use on Urban Landscapes” referred to in 403.9337 Florida Statutes.  The comprehensive FFL book on model ordinances will be revised to include changes to Florida law, incorporate model ordinances for pet waste disposal and irrigation, and present example maintenance contracts.  The “Model Ordinance for Florida-Friendly Fertilizer Use on Urban Landscapes” needs to be revised for consistency with SB 494 and SB 2080, to correct errors with Agricultural BMP provisions, and to provide additional points of clarification.  Specific to the agricultural BMP provisions, please note that this provision was inadvertently captured in the model fertilizer ordinance.  The management practices contained within the “Model Ordinance for Florida-Friendly Fertilizer Use on Urban Landscapes” is directed to urban landscapes and is not applicable to agricultural operations.

 

Revisions to the  “Model Ordinance for Florida-Friendly Fertilizer Use on Urban Landscapes” must be finalized prior to proceeding with other revisions to the comprehensive FFL book; therefore, this will be a phased effort beginning with the model fertilizer ordinance.  Once complete, other sections of the FFL book will then be updated.  An anticipated schedule is listed below for your planning purposes.

 

 

June 24-                               Public meeting in room 209 of  Emerson Alumni Hall  on the UF Campus in Gainesville, presenting the revised model ordinance including all comments received prior to June 14^th.  Parking will be available.

 

July 6-                                   End of comment period for the model fertilizer ordinance.

 

July 30-(Tentative) -        Draft revisions to the comprehensive FFL book emailed to interested parties for comment.  The FFL book will include all revisions made to the model fertilizer ordinance.

 

August 31 (Tentative) -  Public meeting (location to be determined) presenting the revised comprehensive FFL book.

 

In an effort to expand this opportunity for input and comments, the Department encourages you to notify individuals from local government and environmental interest groups who are willing to assist with this effort.   All interested parties may contact michael.thomas@dep.state.fl.us to be added to, or removed from, the email and contact list. 

 

Thank you for your cooperation and assistance.

 

Mike Thomas

 

The Department of Environmental Protection values your feedback as a customer. DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole is committed to continuously assessing and improving the level and quality of services provided to you. Please take a few minutes to comment on the quality of service you received. Simply click on this link to the DEP Customer Survey. Thank you in advance for completing the survey.

 

Mike Thomas, Ph.D., P.E.
Nonpoint Source Management Section
Bureau of Watershed Restoration
Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
MS 3570
2600 Blair Stone Rd. 
Tallahassee, FL 32399-2400  USA
Phone: (850) 245-7513
Fax:   (850) 245-8434
Email:  michael.thomas@dep.state.fl.us
http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/nonpoint
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