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Table 1: Summary of regional fertilizer guidelines as developed through the TBEP <br /> sponsored workshops.*Non-agricultural fertilizer application was <br /> recommended by TBEP Management Board instead of"residential <br /> fertilizer." <br /> Key Issue Recomme datio(s) <br /> All site supervisors and managers of professional lawn care companies should be required to <br /> attaincertincation in the Florida Green Industries Best Management Practices(BMPs)for Protection of <br /> Water Resources in Florida training coordinated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection <br /> and taught by professionals with the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. <br /> 1 Other employees of lawn and landscape maintenance companies should be required to complete less <br /> intensive,task-speck training(i.e.,proper moving,proper fertilization,mulching,debris cleanup,etc) <br /> within 90 days of hiring.This less intensive training could be provided by BMP-cerofied trainers within the <br /> company and provided annually or whenever an update is needed due to changes in the state-approved <br /> U—sing/Certification of BMPs w local ordinances. <br /> Lawn Care Professional <br /> 2 Certification of additional Spanish-speaking BMP treiners and BMP courses taught in Spanish should be <br /> st—gy encouraged. <br /> A baywide or Tampa Bay region"license or certificate should be created,encompassing Hillsborough, <br /> Manatee and Pinellas counties,so that commercial fertilizer applicators would not have to obtain separate <br /> BMP certification in each community In which they do business.Reciprocity should be strongly encouraged <br /> 3 so that any Tampa Bay community with a fertilizer ordinance recognizes and accepts the regional <br /> cenification.A special decal denoting this regional certification should be created,and all lawn <br /> carellandscape companies who have obtained BMP certification should be required to display this decal <br /> on their service vehicles. <br /> Fertilizer should not De applied by either professional applicators or homeowners within 10 feet of a <br /> 1 waterway(defined as a bay,river,lake,stream,pond,canal,wetland or any other water body),unless a <br /> deflector shield is used.With a deflector shield,fehtilizar may be applied as close as 3 feet from a water <br /> Buffer Zones body- <br /> Waterfront property owners should be encouraged to establish a 6-foot low-maintenance or no move zona <br /> 2 of plants Instead of turfgrass adjacent to waterways to reduce the potential for fertilizer residues entering <br /> bodies of water. <br /> Application Timing(Two 1a Ban non-agdcultural nitrogen fertilizer application*from June 1-September 30 <br /> Altemative Options Developed <br /> from Workshops) 11,Allow n=release nitrogen fertilizer application(non-agricultural)*firm June 1-September <br /> 30 upon a professional determination of nitrogen deficiency <br /> Educational information about the amount of nitrogen contained in retlaimed water(treated wastewater) <br /> Reclaimed Water 1 should be provided to homeowners In communities where reclaimed water is provided for Irrigation of <br /> residential lawns. <br /> 1 Education about proper fertilizer use is critically needed <br /> 2 Education about sloe-release nitrogen fertilizer is important to make homeowners aware that use of these <br /> products may not produce an immediate'greening*response in their lawns <br /> 3 Proper irrigation management is critical and Inextricably linked to proper fertilization <br /> d Controlling spillage of fertilizer and organic debris on non-vegetated areas(including impervious surfaces) <br /> is critical <br /> 5 Use of deflector shields is an important element of fertilizer BMPs <br /> Additional Issues Related to <br /> Public Education,Outreach 8 No phosphorous fertilizer should be applied at any time of year in the Tampa Bay region without a soil test <br /> &Application Guideline shaving a phosphorous deficiency <br /> Compliance 7 No Nitrogen fertilizer should be applied on newly established turf for the first 30 days <br /> 8 Consistent guidelines for fertilizer application are needed for the Tampa Bay region <br /> 9 Adequate enforcement is a key issue that needs to be addressed <br /> 10 Guidelines should encourage the use of trained,certified professionals to apply fertilizer <br /> 11 All landscape maintenance contracts should specify compliance with the DEP Green Industries Best <br /> Management Practices <br /> 12 Improve timing and dissemination of public educational materials <br /> 3 <br /> 59S-S� <br />