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Indian River Neighborhood Association, Inc. Statement to IRC Board of County Commissioners July 18, 2013 Regarding the Model Ordinance for the application of fertilizers With your Board's approval of the Model Ordinance now before you, you will be taking the leadership role for the restoration of our Lagoon. While the cities of Vero Beach and Sebastian and the Town of Indian River Shores have adopted the Model as put forth by the FL Department of Environmental Protection, the Model for your consideration benefits from specific language about enforcement, education and specific fertilizer requirements. With the County's working in cooperation with the three municipalities, major steps can begin for the protection of the Lagoon. Cooperation is called for because there are so many elements in the Model that should not be duplicated by each entity -- The training of commercial applicators The preparation and distribution of educational materials to property owners, And, of critical importance, The enforcement of the Ordinance's provisions. The Model before you anticipates the employment of an Environmental Enforcement Officer. Taking the enforcement lead should encourage the municipalities to follow suit. The County's enforcement officer will be in the position to advise and assist the cities and town in ways they too can assume this important function. Besides our supporting the added provisions about education and enforcement, the IRNA strongly supports the additions to the model about specific requirements about the applications of phosphates and nitrogen. Their inclusion greatly adds to the clarification of the regulations for the general public, although additional educational materials will be necessary to make the requirements entirely understandable. We urge your adoption of this Ordinance and congratulate you on your leadership. (3 -55