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10. B. 4. REQUEST TO SPEAK BYBRIAN CARMAN, MARINE RESOURCES COUNCIL <br /> REGARDING FERTILIZER ORDINANCE <br /> Brian Carman, 1190 Ainsley Avenue SW, Indian River Neighborhood Association and <br /> Marine Resources Council Board Member, played a videotape featuring Sarasota County <br /> Commissioner Jon Thaxton reporting on the beneficial impacts that adopting a fertilizer <br /> ordinance has had upon Sarasota County waterways and marine life . After the video <br /> presentation, Mr. Carman relayed the request of the Marine Resources Council for the Board to <br /> adopt a similar fertilizer ordinance, which he felt would educate the public and set the standard <br /> for fertilizer use . He stressed that the proposed ordinance would not solve all the pollution issues <br /> affecting the Indian River Lagoon, but many Counties have found that enacting the ordinance <br /> has resulted in cleaner waterways . Mr. Carman implored the Commissioners to have staff draft <br /> the proposed ordinance and hold a public hearing before making their decision. <br /> Commissioner Davis observed that although he did not disagree with the intent of the Q <br /> ordinance, he deemed it unenforceable. He preferred to use education, rather than regulation, to <br /> inform the public about the best practices for fertilizer usage . <br /> Commissioner Solari pointed out that Scotts Miracle- Gro Company is voluntarily <br /> removing phosphorous from their fertilizer, and did not feel an ordinance was warranted . He <br /> outlined some projects that the County has successfully implemented to remove nutrients and <br /> prevent contamination from entering the Lagoon, and noted that today ' s Agenda Item, 12 . J. 1 , <br /> (pages 369-376 of the agenda package) is related to another pollution control project. He <br /> affirmed the Commissions ' dedication to preserving the Lagoon, but stressed that education, not <br /> regulation, is the best way to accomplish that goal . <br /> Chairman Wheeler believed that the ordinance would be unenforceable, and would create <br /> conflict between those following the law and those ignoring it. He remarked that education <br /> would work better, with less conflict between people, and that much more focus has been placed <br /> on the fertilizer ordinance than on what the County has already accomplished. <br /> OFlot <br /> 142 OG $ 2 <br /> a4 F <br /> August 21 , 2012 26 <br />