NOTES from city of fort lauderdale meeting Sept 27, 2018,
regarding algae in city canals
In attendance: Commissioner Steve Glassman, City Mgr Lee Feldman, Todd Hiteshew and Larry Teich of the City’s Environmental Services Dept., and approximately 25 neighbors, mostly from Las Olas Isles neighborhoods.
Todd:
Algae is caused by nutrients – main source is nitrogen and phosphorus from residential fertilizer
- “Best Management Practices” should be used:
- Do not apply fertilizer closer to water than 10 feet
- Do not over-fertilize. Plants absorb some of the fertilizer, but not all of it
- State of Fla DEP has been testing the algae: There are no toxins in the algae in our canals. Testing by the state has occurred eight times.
- Animal waste is also a major contributor to algae growth
- Lawn service crews blowing debris into the canals adds to the nutrient load
- Average temperatures being higher than usual is a factor this year
- The state takes samples and tests them: the state tests where people will likely contact the water, ie swim in it
- The City has requested for the state to test Las Olas Isles, but they have refused
- Algae bloom causes oxygen depletion of the water
- The City’s Environmental Inspectors constantly inspect it (weekly basis), report to state & request testing
- The City does NOT test algae, nor does the county. Only the state tests it and they are overwhelmed.
- The City has issued a flyer to licensed landscapers, as they are causing problems blowing debris into canal
- The algae will start to disappear as the weather cools in October
Lee Feldman:
- “Boaters throw trash into the canals” ( doubtful this is contributing to algae problem)
- Lawn service crews should rake up lawn debris and place in green landscape waste carts
- The City has an Environmental Crimes Detective who will handle landscaper violations: emccoy@fortlauderdale.gov
Larry:
– in response to a comment about sewage spills from broken pipes contributing to the problem: there have been no sewage spills since way before the algae started
Feldman:
- There is a City ordinance against blowing lawn debris into the street. Neighbors should call FLPD when they see this occurring
Larry:
- Treating the algae ( spraying): Approval by the state DEP is required
- The governor issued an emergency order for seven counties which released $3 mil for algae; Broward was not one of those counties
- State is opposed to chemical treatment at this time
- There is no proven technology to handle the problem
- Skimming doesn’t work: Lee County spent $700K trying this. It was only a temporary solution
- The state is analyzing solutions
- The county has been taking samples, but is not implementing mitigation
- Stuart: They are trying Ozone Generators for closed bodies of water such as ponds. It is a pilot program, not proven yet
- Any technology that the City would try requires DEP approval, which takes at least three months
Neighbor:
- Lots of debris in canals. Todd: The canal cleaning crew comes through all canals every 6-8 weeks. There is only one crew now. Feldman: If neighbors want canals maintained more, an assessment would be necessary. The City Commission voted down to assess for canal maintenance last year ( Note: this is wrong, the proposed assessment for canals last yer was for dredging)
Neighbor ( boat captain)
- He feels that algae from Lake Okeechobee is reaching our area. Can see the floodgates opening at granduskylamb.com.
- He feels that duckweed can be used to filter the water. ( Spoke w. Larry about this afterwards: Duckweed consumes the same nutrients as algae, not sure it could be used to control algae).
Todd & Larry:
- Responding to question about fertilizer sold to public, can City require it be sold with less nutrients: By Florida law, all fertilizer sold in state is regulated by the Dept of Agriculture, and they control type of fertilizer that is sold. Conversation went to general discussion about state pre-emption of things that local govt should control.
Feldman:
- Responded to comments about the City using Roundup to control weeds: City uses it frequently. ( Not sure that Roundup has anything to do with algae)
Glassman:
- City will continue to monitor, recommends that neighbors continue to send emails to him about it.
- Willing to hold another meeting soon