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Citizens/Communities Reducing Nitrogen Pollution in Indian River Lagoon FL

Date: Friday, August 2, 2016

Time: 3 to 5 p.m.

Location:
International Marine Conservation Congress, St. John's, Newfoundland CANADA

Rob Moir tells how America’s most bio-diverse estuary, Indian River Lagoon, located on the Atlantic coast of Florida, is suffering from excessive nitrogen pollution causing harmful algal blooms with fish, manatees, and dolphin kills. In an effort to reduce nitrogen pollution off of lawns by 25% with no fertilizing June 1 to September 30th, Martin County passed a responsible lawn care ordinance in 2011. Response by industry was fierce. Much organizing followed and the burgeoning efforts by many local and regional groups stopped state government from taking away local control of lawn care. Five year of work have resulted in all counties passing identical ordinances. Except for Palm Beach County, the wealthiest county on the southern edge of the lagoon. This presentation explores how nitrogen pollution was reduced and how the last county will adopt practices consistent with their neighbors. Speaker concludes with lessons learned and insights for nitrogen pollution reduction in Nantucket Sound and all 351 municipalities of Massachusetts.