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More than 10-thousand acres of seagrasses
Fish, Oysters, Clams, Shrimp, Crabs
The J.N. 'Ding' Darling National Wildlife Refuge
Recreational fishing industry
Commercial fishing industry
The entire estuary system
Southwest Florida's economic future
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Lee County Solid Waste Division Announces Operation of Permanent Household Chemical Waste Facility
The City of Sanibel received notification from the Lee County Solid Waste Division that they have opened a permanent Household Chemical Waste Facility located at 6441 Topaz Court, Fort Myers. (See driving instructions from Sanibel below). The permanent facility is open to all Lee County residents from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday (closed on Lee County Government observed holidays).
As Lee County taxpayers, Sanibel residents are urged to utilize this facility to dispose of household chemicals in addition to disposal at the City's annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day. Residents are particularly reminded, as we approach hurricane season, to clean out old, unused or expired household chemicals that could contaminate local waters in the event of a storm surge. Residents may also dispose of any unused fertilizer not in compliance with the City of Sanibel's recently adopted and amended Fertilizer Ordinance at the permanent Household Chemical Waste Facility.
Household Chemical waste includes the following materials:
*Ammunition *Antifreeze, Gasoline and Motor Oil *Auto/Boat/Motorcycle/Household/Rechargeable batteries *Cell Phones *Fertilizer *Fluorescent Bulbs and Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs *Medication and Used Syringes/Sharps *Empty Paint Cans and Partially Emptied Paint Cans *Propane Tanks
To package and transport chemicals safely, please take the following precautions:
*DO NOT mix chemicals together.
*Keep products in original containers, if possible.
*Label materials that are not in their original containers.
*Label unknown items to the extent possible. If unaware of a specific product name, provide product category such as pesticide or cleaning product.
*Place containers into cardboard boxes and use crumpled newspaper in boxes to prevent breakage.
*Place leaking containers within a larger plastic container containing an absorption material such as cat litter and seal with a tight-fitting lid.
*Put boxes in the trunk or in back of vehicles away from passengers. If you must transport the products in the passenger compartment, make sure there is adequate ventilation.
*DO NOT smoke while transporting hazardous materials.
For additional information regarding Lee County's new permanent Household Chemical Waste Facility, please contact Lee County Solid Waste at (239) 533-8000, or visit their website located at http://www.lee-county.com/solidwaste/.
Driving Instructions from Sanibel to the Lee County Household Chemical Waste Facility: *Take Sanibel Causeway to Summerlin Road. *Take Summerlin Road to Gladiolus and merge right (east) onto Gladiolus. *Gladiolus becomes Six Mile Cypress Parkway on the east side of US 41/Tamiami Trail. *Turn left (north) onto Metro Parkway. (Sun Harvest Citrus in on the right (south) side of the intersection at Metro Parkway and Six Mile Cypress) *Proceed north on Metro Parkway (Crossing over Daniel's Parkway) *Topaz Court is on the right (east) side of Metro Parkway just north of Crystal Drive. *Household Chemical Waste Facility is at the end of Topaz Court on the left hand side. *Drive up to front door unloading area under the canopy and Lee County staff will unload the hazardous material for you.
Sanibel Pharmacies Agree to Dispose of Unused Pharmaceuticals and Protect Sanibel's Water Quality
Improper disposal of prescription and over the counter pharmaceuticals pass through sewage treatment plants and septic tanks into surface waters, soils and groundwater. Pharmaceuticals can kill helpful bacteria in septic systems and pass largely untouched through sewage treatment plants. The US Environmental Protection Agency has recently cautioned consumers against disposing of hormones and contraceptives that contain hormones, down the toilet or sink as the estrogen can contaminate streams, rivers and lakes. Other pharmaceuticals that have been identified in water supplies include: beta blockers, caffeine, valium, albuterol and anti-inflammatory drugs.
The City of Sanibel encourages residents to dispose of their unused or expired prescriptions and over the counter pharmaceuticals by dropping them off at the following locations:
Each of the local pharmacies has agreed to properly dispose of medications. If you cannot drop your medications off at the pharmacy and must dispose of them in the trash, take the following precautions:
*Scratch or tear your name, address, phone number and medication information off of the label to protect your identity.
*Leave the medication in the original pill bottle and add water. Allow pills to dissolve in water and then add flour or a thickening agent. You can also use an undesirable substance such as coffee grounds or kitty litter.
*Place pill bottles in an impermeable, nondescript container before placing in trash.
By dropping off your unwanted medications for disposal at your local pharmacy, you are protecting your identity while protecting Sanibel's fragile water quality and environment.
City Compiles Regional Water Quality Testing Sites
Sanibel City staff has compiled a regional look at water quality monitoring sites, which will help create a strong big picture perspective of water quality in the area. This overview includes monitoring sites from the following municipalities and agencies:
*City of Cape Coral *Florida Department of Environmental Protection *Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute *South Florida Water Management District *United States Geological Survey *Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation *Lee County *Florida Healthy Beaches program *Florida International University *City of Sanibel *Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program
For more details and a map view of regional water quality monitoring sites, click on the Water Test Sites file under Recent News at the top right corner of this web page.
Algae Study Moving Forward
City Council unanimously passed a Resolution at its March 18th meeting approving an agreement for funding between the City of Sanibel and Lee County for completion of a Red Drift Algae Study. This study will be conducted by Florida Gulf Coast University, with assistance from the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation.
Sanibel and Lee County believe the research is essential because of the effects algae can have on marine life, seagrasses, beaches, and the economy. The study will look for answers regarding what happens to algae once it leaves the ocean floor and how physical processes such as wind, currents, tidal cycles, and river flow affect the distribution and fate of nutrients in the study area.
Vice Mayor Asks that Letters go to Delegates
Sanibel Vice Mayor Carla Brooks Johnston requested that letters be sent to Congressional Delegates asking that the C-43 Reservoir to handle overflows from Lake Okeechobee be included on an electronic database of projects to be considered as priorities for funding consideration.
Another important component of the reservoir is a need for a stormwater treatment area to filter the water before it is released into the Caloosahatchee River.
Lee County to Reconsider Fertilizer Ordinance
The Lee County Fertilizer Ordinance is coming up for consideration soon. Mayor Denham plans to meet with individual Commissioners to share Sanibel's views. Charlotte County is also considering a new Fertilizer Ordinance, which is not as stringent as the City of Sanibel Ordinance, but still would be an improvement.
Mayor Denham said he is concerned that the Fertilizer Bill now in the House and Senate no longer resembles what was recommended by the State Fertilizer Task Force. He asked that other Council members as well as concerned citizens contact local legislators with a message that the current language is not acceptable.
Specifically, the new Bill includes language that would make it difficult for a municipality to develop more stringent Fertilizer Ordinances than the Task Force Ordinance model. This would prevent communities from taking added measures to protect water quality.
The Council discussed the idea of preparing substitute language to present to legislators for consideration.
Northern Everglades Protection Program Discussed
The City of Sanibel will have input as to priority projects to be considered under the Northern Everglades Protection Program. However, the way the criteria are currently set up biases priority projects in favor of those that are further developed. Thus, new projects can slide further down on the list.
Department of Natural Resources Director Dr. Rob Loflin told the City Council that this makes it all the more important that projects important to Sanibel and all of Southwest Florida be pushed along in terms of design and engineering, among others, to help improve funding opportunities.
The City Council discussed formulating a letter in consensus with the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council and Lee County Commission to help strengthen any priority message.
Council Discusses Importance of Senate Bill 1634
Council talked again about the importance of proposed Senate Bill 1634. The Bill, sponsored by State Sen. Mike Bennett of Bradenton, would extend Florida's Healthy Beaches Program.
State Rep. Gary Aubuchon, of Cape Coral, is sponsoring House Bill 1503, an identical companion Bill.
If approved, it would require that cities and residents are notified if a nearby wastewater plant is out of compliance. The Florida Department of Protection would also be granted the power to investigate the cause and source of any contamination that closed a State beach.
Residents are encouraged to contact Senators and Representatives urging them to support both Bills.
Senators to contact are: * Burt Saunders at saunders.burt.web@flsenate.gov * Mike Bennett at bennett.mike.web@flsenate.gov * Dave Aronberg at aronberg.dave.web@flsenate.gov
Representatives to contact are: * Gary Aubuchon at gary.aubuchon@myfloridahouse.gov * Trudi Williams at trudi.williams@myfloridahouse.gov * Paige Kreegel at paige.kreegel@myfloridahouse.gov * Mike Grant at Michael.grant@myfloridahouse.gov * Nick Thompson at nick.thompson@myfloridahouse.gov
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