Sierra Club muddies fertilizer debate

Regarding "Limit fertilizer use in bay area" (Other Views, March 8):

It's unfortunate that the Florida chapter of the Sierra Club has diverged so far from the vision of its founder, the late John Muir, one of America's most famous and influential conservationists and "the father of our National Parks."

A Sierra Club regional director criticized pest-control companies without merit and without acknowledging our efforts to promote fertilizer training, adopt science-based regulation and protect Florida's water quality.

Unmentioned in the article was the Sierra Club's endorsement of the Florida Model Ordinance regulating fertilizer use, which it now states is inadequate to protect water quality. These fertilizer guidelines were created by a wide array of scientists, regulators, local governments and environmental groups, including the Sierra Club. It did not contain a four-month "blackout period" for summertime fertilizer application, which scientists say would have the unintended consequence of stressing turf, nature's best filter, contributing to nutrient loading and harming water quality. Blackouts also will encourage over-fertilizing lawns in spring and fall, outside the peak growing season when turf most needs nitrogen nutrition.

The Sierra Club has undermined University of Florida scientists, claiming their research is "bought and paid for" by industry, and have refused to participate in a coalition of researchers, industry and governmental groups investigating the source of nutrients in waterways. Although they decry residential fertilizer applicators as a primary source of nutrient pollution, the group isn't interested in supporting the necessary research to substantiate their claim.

The turf-grass industry and pest-control companies have contributed less than .007 percent of the IFAS research budget, which could hardly account for "buying and paying" of peer-reviewed research published in scientific journals. Regardless, industry support of academic research is quite common. As an example, pharmacological companies bring new drugs to market based on academic research.

Ironically, Sierra Club Florida supports federal takeover of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's role in water quality, which was widely opposed by Florida citizens, local governments, farmers, ranchers and businesses at recent public hearings across the state. Yet the Sierra Club wants local government control over fertilizer ordinances. Water quality is a very complex issue, and its regulation is far beyond the resources and expertise of city councils and county commissions.

The pest-control profession has the highest number of individuals trained in Green Industry Best Management Practices (BMP) - the accepted, science-based standards for applying fertilizer without impact to water quality. Last year, we supported successful legislation that mandated BMP training for all commercial applicators, which clearly demonstrates firm commitment to providing valuable service to consumers while protecting water quality.

As local businesses, we are invested in the environmental health of the communities in which we do business. As Floridians, we enjoy our state's beautiful and special water resources. As pest-control professionals, we are equipped and capable of delivering both healthy lawns and protecting water bodies.