BMPs for Florida Landscapes. Laurie E. Trenholm Urban Turfgrass BMP Specialist University of Florida

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1 BMPs for Florida Landscapes Laurie E. Trenholm Urban Turfgrass BMP Specialist University of Florida

2 BMPs in Florida The first urban BMP in Florida began in 2000 in Broward County because a specific canal was impaired The South Florida Water Management District brought together UF, industry and others to develop workable BMPs to address this

3 Statewide BMPs in Florida Began in 2001 as a continuation of the Broward County BMPs, but with more partners Partnership between UF, DEP, and industry in response to legislation requiring DEP to implement urban BMPs Educational program began in 2003 Little interest from industry in this educational program until last few years Manual revised in 2008

4 Florida-Friendly Landscaping The Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology Green Industries Best Management Practices Florida Yards and Neighborhoods FYN-Builder & Developer Program Future Best Management Programs?

5 Nutrient Issues in Florida Increasing local government fertilizer ordinances statewide Turfgrass is seen by many as environmentally unfriendly Each fertilization event is a pollution event Extreme environmentalists very antiturf and very outspoken

6 Protecting Florida s Waters Watershed Restoration Act, 1999 Irrigation contractor fines regarding rain shut off devices HOAs may not prohibit FFL, 2009 Urban Turf Fertilize r Rule, 2007 Mandates fertilizer ordinance in some areas, 2009 GI-BMP training and FDACS certificat e by 2014

7 Best Management Practices "Best management practice" means a practice or combination of practices determined by the coordinating agencies, based on research, field-testing, and expert review, to be the most effective and practicable on-location means, including economic and technological considerations, for improving water quality in agricultural and urban discharge Chapter Florida Statutes

8 Development of Statewide Fertilizer Labeling Rule Began in 2006 through Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Regulation of fertilizers, labels, and sales Affects label language on any fertilizer (< 50 lbs) sold for use on lawns or urban turf

9 The Statewide Fertilizer Labeling Rule FDACS held a number of public hearings around the state UF-IFAS research data used as basis for recommendations in the rule This rule is based on scientific data No regulatory influence in this

10 The Statewide Fertilizer Labeling Rule Nitrogen shall not be applied at a rate greater than 0.7 lbs of readily available nitrogen per 1000 ft 2 at any one time based on the soluble fraction of formulated fertilizer No more that 1 lb total N per 1000 ft 2 to be applied at any one time Annual N rates follow UF recommendations

11 Statewide Fertilizer Labeling Rule Limits P to 1/4 lb P 2 O 5 per 1,000 ft 2 per application and 1/2 lb P 2 O 5 per 1,000 ft 2 annually Requires lawn care industry to follow Green Industries BMP manual

12 BMP Education Class

13 BMP Education State Legislature lists UF Extension as the primary educational provider Agents must be certified as instructors Statewide BMP Coordinator and Data Manager Attendees must achieve 75% on the post-test Certificates of Completion mailed from UF

14 BMP Education DEP staff also has certified trainers and coordinators through NERRs (combine DEP and NOAA funding for coastal education) Limited horticultural knowledge Industry can also have certified trainers They have additional requirements to become certified

15 After Mowing BMP Never leave clippings on paved surfaces Never let clippings get into the stormwater system

16 Disposing of Landscape Waste BMP Never Sweep or Blow Debris into Water Bodies or Storm Drains

17 Turfgrass Stress

18 Fertilizer Storage BMP Store fertilizer in areas protected from rainfall Load fertilizer away from wells or waterbodies Store fertilizer away from flammable substances Clean up spills immediately 18

19 Sweep-up spills! BMP Load liquid and/or granular fertilizer on impervious (paved) surfaces can pollute water bodies.

20 Use Deflector Shield BMP Buffer Area Sidewalks Stormwater Drain Asphalt 20

21 Some problems are easily repaired while some may require the help of an irrigation contractor M. Dukes UF/IFAS

22 BMP Educational Program through April 30, 2010

23 BMP Verification Concurrently with these issues, a very large research project began in 3 locations in Florida in 2005 All funding from DEP NO 3 -N and P leaching under many conditions Starting year 6 in 2010

24 UF West Florida Research and Education Center, Jay UF Plant Science Research and Education Unit, Citra Ft. Lauderdale Research and Education Center

25 BMP Leaching Studies NO 3 -N leaching from newly planted turf due to species, N rates, N timing, irrigation NO 3 -N leaching from established turf due to species, N rates, irrigation NO 3 -N leaching during winter months due to N rate and irrigation NO 3 -N leaching due to N source and species NO 3 -N leaching due to mowing height and clipping disposition P leaching due to P rate, species

26 Lysimeters buried in center of each plot

27 Research Needed Nutrient runoff Influence of compacted soils Influence of reclaimed water How do we change human behavior?

28 Bottom Line BMPs are becoming a regulated way of life for the green industries in Florida Hard to change/ enforce behavior No enforcement (other than Labeling Rule) for homeowners Many local regulations not based on science Research has a long way to go to overcome beliefs not based on science