Jim Waymer

FLORIDA TODAY

As the rot of a dying Indian River Lagoon sets in, many who live or make their living along the estuary are asking what they can do.

Scientists say the lagoon's recovery will take years, fish kills will happen along the way, and that most of the answers lie in our own back yards, rather than solely in the halls of government.

Here are some of the actions that experts have been preaching for decades, which if enough people took them, would speed the lagoon's recovery:

1. Limit your fertilizer use and lawn and landscaping watering.

In recent years, local governments along the lagoon enacted rainy season "blackout" periods in which fertilizing is prohibited from June 1 to Sept. 30. Activists had hoped it would give the lagoon a break from the nitrogen and phosphorus influx that fuels toxic algae blooms.

But given this week's fish kill, many are calling for further fertilizer abstinence, even during the period when fertilizing is allowed.

"I'll give up my green lawn," said Tony Sasso, director of the nonprofit Keep Brevard Beautiful. "When I was growing up, nobody fertilized their yards."

Advocates for stricter fertilizer rules pointed to research that shows lawns can still thrive without fertilizing during rainy months.

Opponents — most associated with fertilizer, turf grass or lawn-care interests — point to conflicting science. They cite University of Florida research that shows depriving grass of nutrients when it's most able to absorb them, during peak growing season, would result in more nitrogen and phosphorus running off the weaker grass when applied at other times of the year.

Fines for violating local fertilizer ordinances can run up to $500. But officials teach, rather than preach or levy fines.

You can find your city's ordinance here.

What we know about the Indian River Lagoon fish kill

2. Tap the Brevard County Extension Office.

Learn more about lagoon-friendly lawn practices: 321-633-1702.

Brevard County Extension: http://brevard.ifas.ufl.edu

Brevard County Extension horticulture information

3. Keep storm drains clean.

blow grass clippings back into the yard, instead of into the street.

4. Don’t let any grass clippings or pet waste get into the water.

The clippings are especially bad because they carry fertilizer and organic matter into the lagoon that forms muck.

5. Maintain a 10-foot “maintenance-free zone” from the water.

It should be where you don’t mow, fertilize or apply pesticides. That can provide a last line of defense to capture nitrogen, phosphorus and soils.

To prevent soil erosion, which contributes to muck buildup, follow Florida Friendly Yards landscaping guidelines.

6. Get your septic tank inspected.

Inspections should take place every three to five years. Also consider hooking up to the sewer system, if available.

Brevard County has an estimated 100,000 septic tanks. Scientists spar over the relative role septic tanks play in the lagoon's ecological problems, compared to fertilizers, sewage spills and other sources of excess nitrogen and phosphorus. But they agree that when septic tanks fail, the local impact can be significant.

Waste pools up in drain fields and runs off into ditches, canals and tributaries that lead to the lagoon. Heavy rains also push septic system plumes to the estuary, where each pound of phosphorus can grow 500 pounds of algae, suffocating seagrass and other lagoon life.

In 2012, state lawmakers considered, but rejected, a law to force septic tank inspections and pump-outs and have since failed to enact strong solutions to the problem.

Clean up time: Inmates help with fish kill

7. Get involved

Volunteer to become an oyster gardener through Brevard Zoo’s oyster gardening program. For information, visit http://brevardoystergardens.org.

The Marine Resources Council also offers volunteer opportunities to help monitor lagoon water quality, plant native shoreline plants and remove invasive plants and trees. Contact them at 725-7775 or visit http://www.mrcirl.org.

The Florida Oceanographic Society also has a volunteer oyster restoration program in the St. Lucie area and southern lagoon. For information, call 772-225-0505 ext. 104 or email kgeorge@floridaocean.org.

8. Report sick, dead or injured wildlife

Sick or dead birds or other wildlife should not be handled. Instead, report them by calling the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Wildlife Alert Hotline at (888) 404−3922 or visiting the FWC website. Entangled, injured or dead manatees can be reported by sending a text to Tip@MyFWC.com.

9. Help clean up dead fish

Brevard County is leading a volunteer cleanup effort that includes county parks and private property owners who collect dead fish. The county is putting dumpsters at five convenient locations so residents can discard the fish they collect. The fish will be hauled daily to the county landfill and will be buried.

Dumpster locations are: Bicentennial Park in Cocoa Beach; Eau Gallie Boat Ramp, Melbourne; Kiwanis Island Park, Merritt Island; Kelly Park, Merritt Island; and POW/MIA at Pineda Causeway. The dumpsters will be put close to boat ramps to facilitate disposal of fish collected by boat.

For information, call Keep Brevard Beautiful at 321-631-0501.

Local government to ramp up fish kill cleanup

10. Call or write your local representatives

U.S. SENATORS

Bill Nelson (D)

Washington office: 716 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510, 202-224-5274; fax 202-228-2183

716 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510, 202-224-5274; fax 202-228-2183 State offices: U.S. Courthouse Annex, 111 N. Adams St., Suite 208, Tallahassee, FL 32301, 850-942-8415; fax 850-942-8450. Also, Landmark Two, 225 E. Robinson St., Suite 410, Orlando, FL 32801, 407-872-7161; 888-671-4091; fax 407-872-7165. (He also has district offices in Coral Gables, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Jacksonville, Tampa and West Palm Beach.)

Marco Rubio (R)

Washington office: 284 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510, 202-224-3041; fax 202-228-0285

284 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510, 202-224-3041; fax 202-228-0285 State office: 201 S. Orange Ave., Suite 350, Orlando, FL 32801, 407-254-2573 or 866-630-7106; fax 407-423-0941. (He also has district offices in Jacksonville, Miami, Naples, Palm Beach Gardens, Pensacola, Tallahassee and Tampa.)

U.S. REPRESENTATIVES

Congressional District 8

Bill Posey (R)

Washington office: 120 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515, 202-225-3671; fax 202-225-3516.

120 Cannon House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515, 202-225-3671; fax 202-225-3516. District office: 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Building C, Melbourne, FL 32940, 321-632-1776; 888-681-1776; fax 321-639-8595.

2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Building C, Melbourne, FL 32940, 321-632-1776; 888-681-1776; fax 321-639-8595. Satellite offices: 321-383-6090 in Titusville; 772-226-1701 in Vero Beach

STATE

Gov. Rick Scott (R)

The Capitol, 400 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001, 850-488-7146

or 850-488-4441. Email: rick.scott@eog.myflorida.com

Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera (R)

The Capitol, 400 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001, 850-488-7146. Email: carlos.lopez-cantera@eog.myflorida.com

STATE SENATORS

Andy Gardiner (R), District 13

Email: gardiner.andy.web@flsenate.gov

gardiner.andy.web@flsenate.gov Capitol office: 409 The Capitol, 404 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, 32399-1100, 850-487-5013

409 The Capitol, 404 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, 32399-1100, 850-487-5013 District office: 1013 E. Michigan St., Orlando, FL 32806, 407-428-5800

Thad Altman (R), District 16

Email: altman.thad.web@flsenate.gov

altman.thad.web@flsenate.gov Capitol office: 314 Senate Office Building, 404 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, 32399-1100, 850-487-5016

314 Senate Office Building, 404 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, 32399-1100, 850-487-5016 District office: 8910 Astronaut Blvd., Suite 210, Cape Canaveral, 32920, 321-868-2132

8910 Astronaut Blvd., Suite 210, Cape Canaveral, 32920, 321-868-2132 Satellite office: 1225 Main St., Sebastian, 32958, 772-571-6115

STATE REPRESENTATIVES

Tom Goodson (R), District 50

Email: tom.goodson@myfloridahouse.gov Capitol office: 218 House Office Building, 402 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, 32399, 850-717-5050. District office: 400 South St., Suite 1C, Titusville, 32780, 321-383-5151.

Steve Crisafulli (R), District 51

Email: steve.crisafulli@myfloridahouse.gov

steve.crisafulli@myfloridahouse.gov Capitol office: 420 The Capitol, 402 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, 32399-1300, 850-717-5000.

420 The Capitol, 402 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, 32399-1300, 850-717-5000. District office: 2460 N. Courtenay Parkway, Suite 108, Merritt Island, 32953, 321-449-5111.

Ritch Workman (R), District 52

Email: ritch.workman@myfloridahouse.gov

ritch.workman@myfloridahouse.gov Capitol office: 422 The Capitol, 402 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, 32399, 850-717-5052.

422 The Capitol, 402 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, 32399, 850-717-5052. District office: 33 Suntree Place, Suite D, Melbourne, 32940, 321-757-7019.

John Tobia (R), District 53

Email: john.tobia@myfloridahouse.gov

john.tobia@myfloridahouse.gov Capitol office: 405 House Office Building, 402 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, 32399, 850-717-5053.

405 House Office Building, 402 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, 32399, 850-717-5053. District office: 8060 S. Highway A1A, Melbourne Beach, 32951, 321-984-4848.

Why care about the lagoon?

•The Indian River Lagoon generates $3.7 billion in economic activity annually, including almost a $1 billion annual increase to property values for anyone who lives within 0.3 miles of the lagoon. Even property not on the lagoon benefits. The lagoon is a major draw for newcomers moving here, helping to bolster property values throughout the region.

•The lagoon contributes $47 billion to the property values in the five counties along the estuary. This impact is 22 percent of the market value of all property in the area.

Source: Indian River Lagoon Economic Assessment and Analysis Update, Hazen and Sawyer