Editorial: Red tide drifts back, keep focus on fertilizer

The latest red tide test results for Collier County show it’s too soon to breathe a sigh of relief once and for all because this threat to our beach lifestyle isn’t entirely behind us.

That’s why we applaud local elected leaders who this week pressed for a review of what’s contributing locally to our polluted waters. Regulations for applying fertilizer were a common denominator in their discussions.

At separate council meetings Monday, Naples Mayor Bill Barnett, Bonita Springs Mayor Peter Simmons and Marco Island Councilman Victor Rios each brought the red tide concern forward to see how their respective government bodies want to respond to better protect our waterways. Kudos to these elected leaders, just as our applause went to Collier Commissioners Penny Taylor and Burt Saunders who last week pushed for a countywide summit to discuss fertilizer and water pollution causes.

Test results

In an editorial Sunday, we celebrated that all sampling sites in Collier County last week finally had shown red tide wasn’t present. Red tide is naturally occurring, but pollution is considered a cause of aggravating the blooms.

Another round of testing was done Monday. Results released Tuesday showed medium or low red tide along northern Collier beaches but “not present” at Naples Pier or South Marco Beach. More testing was scheduled for Thursday with results to be released Friday.

Tuesday’s Collier report notes onshore winds aggravate the conditions that create respiratory difficulties from red tide and that variable winds are expected this week.

For the sake of beachgoers’ health and our coastal-based economy, we hope the universal “all clear” comes back again from Thursday’s testing.

Three E's

Historically, the cities of Naples and Bonita Springs have been leaders on fertilizer regulations. For example, there are certification requirements for companies applying fertilizer and rainy season periods when application of nitrogen and phosphorus is restricted.

Naples and Bonita Springs each adopted fertilizer regulations in 2008. Barnett said Naples’ ordinance was “the toughest in the state.” Thankfully, today’s local elected officials are showing they want to remain leaders in protecting our waterways from fertilizer.

Unfortunately for unincorporated Collier, as county attorney Jeff Klatzkow reminded current commissioners last week, a county ordinance was prepared back then but never adopted by commissioners in office at the time.

The Legislature since adopted a law leaving any new fertilizer regulations up to the state, but Florida allows modifications to any prior adopted local ordinances if certain conditions are met. Even so, staff and legal advisers cautioned Naples and Bonita councils Monday against revamping terms of their 2008 ordinances to toughen them, for fear the state law pre-empting them from regulations might take control.

Marco’s council, meanwhile, has a previously contracted water quality report due from a consultant in mid-October.

Monday’s three separate council discussions prompt us to suggest three E's:

• Education: Many folks have arrived since 2008, including homeowners and landscaping or golf course employees. That’s not to mention there are many new developments. Foremost is educating newcomers, as well as those who have forgotten the fertilizing rules. Catchy public service announcements, like Lee County’s showing a water creature reacting to an overfertilizing homeowner, are a good start.

• Enforcement. Current state and local laws should be enforceable and enforced before creating new ones.

• Efficiency. Naples and Marco councils independently decided Monday to meet as early as October to explore the topic. Collier commissioners want to have a discussion. It would be more efficient for local governments to collaboratively hear from the experts, not schedule three different meetings.