Rockledge Fertizer Ordinance Passes

By Deborah Longman-Marien

On March 20, the Rockledge City Council, by a vote of 5-2 passed the Fertilizer Ordinance they had been considering, making them the first in Brevard to pass an Ordinance, and a stricter ordinance than the County! This is the first community to pass stricter rules than the county did.

Rockledge city council orders restriction of fertilizer use
http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20130321/NEWS01/303210048/Rockledge-city-council-orders-restriction-fertilizer-use

Great news for the lagoon, for water quality, and quality of life in Rockledge. These reasonable requirements will begin to help staunch the long term decline of the lagoon. More is needed to be done county wide to address the lessening of the water quality in the county through various pollutants. Algae in the lagoon and other bodies of water, exacerbated by fertilizer and other nutrients becomes smelly, is actually a health hazard. It is unattractive, lessens the appeal of waterfront properties and parks and discourages recreational activities in these areas. Wildlife that make the area appealing to residents and tourists alike are at risk of dying off from problems associated with too much nutrient in the water. This includes loss of seagrass which feeds manatees and harbors baby sports fish, sea turtles, mollusks and other lagoon creatures which feed wintering ducks and some of our beautiful wading birds.