HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 03-18-2010
St. Lucie County
Environmental Advisory Committee
March 18, 2010
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Environmental Resources Department Conference Room
SLC Building, 25 St. & Virginia Ave. 1 Floor
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MEMBERS: R. Scott Taylor, Eric G. Haenni, Bob Bangert, Edward Bowes, John Holt
GUESTS:
STAFF: Amy Mott, Yvette Alger, Ed Skvarch, Jennifer Evans, Heather Lueke, Karen
Smith
Roll call taken. Introductions around the table.
Elections: Scott Taylor was nominated for Chair (John Holt moved approval, Ed Bowes 2)
nd
Bob Bangert was nominated for Vice-Chair.
Sunshine Laws:
Heather Lueke, SLC Assistant Attorney, covered the State of Florida’s Government in the
Sunshine rules and regulations. A brochure was distributed. All members present
indicated they understood subsequently signed a written statement signifying the
same.
Irrigation Ordinance:
Heather Lueke explained that due to a Senate Bill the County is required to consider the
State’s model Irrigation Ordinance. She and Ed Skvarch outlined the details of the model
ordinance and the committee discussed briefly their perceptions on the issue. A motion
was made to table the discussion until the next meeting to give them more time to read
about and understand the issue. Motion passes.
Fertilizer Ordinance:
Heather Lueke explained that due to a Senate Bill the County is required to adopt the
State’s model Irrigation Ordinance. She and Ed Skvarch outlined the details of the model
ordinance and the committee discussed briefly their perceptions on the issue. John pointed
out that while this ordinance focuses on phosphorus, nitrogen is currently a major pollutant
problem in the Indian River Lagoon. He asked how much a lawn needs on average. Ed
Skvarch responded that IFAS recommends1 pound of nitrogen per 1000 square feet if
“slow release”. .75 pound of nitrogen per 1000 square feet if not “slow release”. But in the
summertime they recommend iron to green a lawn up. Ed stated that he believed
education was the way to approach the fertilizer misapplication/pollution issue. He said he
would send the group the Orange County version of the ordinance which he feels is very
good. John mentioned that the County needs to address this now, by regulations, or later
with the cleanup costs which he estimated to be about $300 per pound. Somebody
mentioned that instead of 1 staff member of a company being trained to get the company
certified that all applicators within that company should be trained. Amy discussed the 75
1
foot buffer that ERD recommend be added to the model ordinance. Ed Skvarch showed a
power point presentation on IFAS BMP education. A motion was made to table the
discussion until the next meeting to give them more time to read about and understand the
issue. Motion passes.
A motion was made to adjourn.
Meeting adjourned at 5:00pm.
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