(Photography: Randy García)
Efforts to restrict the use of fertilizers in Florida experienced a setback in 2023. In a move viewed with concern by some sectors, the state legislature approved the reduction of power from local governments in their battle to protect water quality, prohibiting them from creating new regulations limiting the use of these chemical products.
Florida, more than any other state in the nation, has the highest number of fertilizer manufacturing factories, according to an IBISWorld report that provides statistics for the industry. The publication shows that out of 612 companies in the United States, 91 operate in Florida. It was precisely this industry that exerted pressure on state legislators to curb the restrictions imposed by some local governments on the use of fertilizers.
That sector claims they are losing millions of dollars, even though recent reports show record profits in 2022 due to increased demand following the war in Ukraine. For instance, The Mosaic, one of the largest fertilizer producers in the country headquartered in Tampa, is reported to have earned $3.6 billion in net income in the last year, a 438% increase since 2020.
Miami-Dade County advocated for maintaining the current restrictions in place. “For Miami-Dade, it would be a setback to lose all the effort we put into creating a law in 2021, as we need to reduce the amount of nutrients produced by fertilizers,” said Mayor Levine Cava, whose office sponsored an ordinance that has prevented the use of fertilizers for irrigation during the rainy season between May 15 and October 31 of each year for the past 2 years.
Mayor Daniella Levine Cava during the Baynanza 2023 cleaning event (Photography: Carlos Zegarra)
Although fertilizers are beneficial for plant growth, excessive use can be incredibly harmful, especially when they carry too many nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus. During the summer months, due to heavy rainfall, these nutrients become hard to absorb and remain on the surface, making them susceptible to being washed into sewers and drains by any downpour. With the recurrent flooding in South Florida, these nutrients end up in the bay and the ocean.
Cleanup of dead fish due to low oxygen levels and high nutrient pollution in Biscayne Bay in 2020. (Photography: ???)
However, when too much nitrogen and phosphorus penetrate, algae flourish and deplete the oxygen levels in the water, preventing light from reaching the seafloor for seagrass to grow, and this cycle ultimately decimates aquatic life. For these reasons, experts in water quality consider it important to restrict the use of these substances, “what lawmakers are doing is a senseless measure because they are eliminating something good. Many of them are politicians who want to gain a couple of votes from the industry or secure funding and support for their campaigns, and they fail to realize that it’s like putting a knife to their throat because in the future, we will all be affected!” said Henry Briceño, a professor at Florida International University.
In Miami-Dade, the use of fertilizers is not allowed in the so-called “Dead Zones” or fertilizer-free zones, which are located within 20 feet from the top of the shoreline of any body of water (including ponds, lakes, canals, or streams), stormwater drains, Biscayne Bay, wetlands, the top of a seawall.
While there are fines for violators, the county has found it impossible to enforce them “There’s no way to fine for fertilizers, but we can educate residents. It’s impossible to have inspectors monitoring, but it’s necessary for there to be citizen awareness because there’s no need to fertilize during the rainy season. It’s important for them to understand that everything affects the health of the water,” explained Irela Bagué.
Cleanup of dead fish due to low oxygen levels and high nutrient pollution in Biscayne Bay in 2020. (Photography: ???)
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