Keep it clean a citizen's guide to protecting our estuary

[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]

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EEP IT CLEAN

A Citizen's Guide To Protecting Our Estuary

Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
Florida Department of Natural Resources

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Z7 Sanctuaries and Reserves Division

Written and Photographed by Carla Kappmeyer
Cover and Illustrations by Margo McKnight

This guide was funded through a grant (Award # NA170R0327-01) from the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, Sanctuaries and Reserves Division. It is available through:

DEE,A
Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
Florida Department of Natural Resources
0 10 Shell Island Road
Naples, Florida 33962

We wish to acknowledge the contributions and assistance of numerous colleagues andfriends:

John Begeman Larry Nall
Steve Bertone Peggy O'Donoghue
Craig Blocker Belinda Perry
Dawn Cooper Ellen Peterson
June Cradick Barb Prynowski
Jim Craft Bob Reperming
Wayne Daltry Danny Riley
Elsie Johnson I,' ristie Seaman
Jackie Jordon Philip Sherwin
Keith Kipp Dr. Mike Shirley
John Kiseda Mike Slayton
Eric Lovestrand Shelly Smith
Gary Lytton Dr. T. J. Smith
Chuck McKenna Heather Stafford
Ann Muga Steve Theberge

Special thanksgo to Ginger Hinchcliff (whose idea ledto thisbook), Susan Davis, Judy Ott, andPam Zamora
for their assistance with editing.

The Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is part of the National Estuarine Research Reserve
system, established by Section 315 of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended. Additional
information about the system can be obtained from:

AT The Sanctuaries and Reserves Division
Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Mgmt.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
U. S. Department of Commerce
1825 Connecticut Avenue N.W.
EW OF
Washington, D.C. 20235

Printedoit lecycledpaper

CONTENTS

PREFACE
INTRODUCTION ..................................... o.o ....................................................................V
CffAPTER ONE
ATHOME ..........................o ...............................................................................................................1
Household Chemicals ........................................................................................................................1
Home Water Conservation ...............................................................................................................5
Septic Tanks ........................................................................................................................................8
Auto Care .......................................................................................................................................... 12
Pets ..................................................................................................................................................... 14
Aquariums ......................................................................................................................................... 15
Pools ................................................................................................................................................... 16
CHAPTERIVO
FRONT YARD/BACKYARD .......................................o...........................................o.................... o 17
Lawn and Landscape ........................................................................................................................ 19
Watering and Irrigation ................................................................................................................... 21
Erosion and Sediments .................................................................................................................... 24
Permeable Pavements ...................................................................................................................... 25
Contouring, Terracing, and Infiltration Devices .......................................................................... 26
Gardening ......................................................................................................................................... 27
Fertilizers ........................................................................................................................................... 29

................... ..............
Pesticides .......................................o... CffAPTER.THREE .............................................................. 31
WATERFRONT PROPERTY ..............................................o.......o........................................... oo ... 35
CHAPTER FOUR
RECREATION ..............................................................o.......o..... 3 9
Boating .............................................................................................................................................. 39
Air Boats, PWC's, and ATV's ............................o............................................................................ 42
Marine Dumping and Debris .......................................................................................................... 43
Beach Outings, Picnics, Camping, and Community Events ........................................................ 45
Golf .................................................................................................................................................... 46
CHAPTER FIVE
COMMUNIIT ..........................................................o..................................................................... 49

APPENDICES

Natural Alternatives To Commercial Products ............................................................................ 55
How A Septic Systern Works .......................................................................................................... 59
Bibliography ...................................................................................................................................... 60
Resources .......................................................................................................................................... 62
Household Hazardous Waste Chart .............................................................................................. 65
Self Evaluation .................................................................................................................................. 69

BEFoREYou TuRNTHE PAGE....

Do you use common household products such as laundry detergent, drain cleaner, air freshener, furniture
Polish, floor wax, paint, rust remover, glue, and batteries?

Do you water the lawn? Do you use fertilizer and pesticides in yard care or gardening?

Does your home run on a septic system?

Do you drive a car? Do you maintain your vehicles or change the oil in your car?

Do you have pets or an aquarium?

Do you have a backyard swimming pool?

Do you live on waterfront property?

Do you fish or play golf?

Do you own a boat or an all-terrain vehicle?

Do you enjoy going to the beach, on picnics, or camping?

Do you vote?

If you answer "yes" to any of the above questions ....

The information in this book applies to all of us .... YOU, TOO!

Is there a common thread to the above questions? They all have to do with what individuals can do to help
prevent water pollution. Most of us would like to do more for the environment. This book gives you the
opportunity to do just that! To find out more about water pollution, how individuals can make a difference,
and some helpful hints on using Keep It Clean, turn to the PREFACE.

'NA 9E E S ROOKERY BAY
NATIONAL ESTUARINE
RESEARCH RESERVE

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PREPARED BY MA. SHIRLEY. FLORDA

PREFACE

Water pollution is a problem that most of us are aware of, but feel comfortably removed from. The Exxon
Valdez spilled millions of gallons of oil in Alaskan waters, the sewage and hypodermic needles of large
eastern cities washed up along the northern shores of the Atlantic seaboard, and the groundwater
contamination of Love Canal occurred in New York. However, water pollution is a problem that knows no
boundaries. The water which we withdraw for use in our homes is ultimately released as some form of
wastewater. Eventually it finds its way into our rivers, lakes, oceans, or the aquifers storing our groundwater.

We are all too often satisfied with the quality of water that comes out of a tap and that of our rivers, lakes,
and oceans. Should we be satisfied with purifying sewage, using reverse osmosis, buying bottled water, and
installing carbon filters in the kitchen sink to obtain "safe" drinking water? Should we be concerned with
declining fisheries, the disappearance of once abundant species, and the deterioration of coastal Florida and
the Gulf of Mexico?

Sources of Water Pollution
Most of us associate pollution with major urban centers. We think of smokestacks spewing out fumes,
antiquated sewage treatment plants, and outfall pipes discharging industrial wastes directly into a river or
lake. A significant amount of water pollution comes from this type of "point source" pollution, or pollution
originating from a particular site such as a factory. However, if every industry and city were to shut down and
stop discharging wastes for one day, over half of all of today's pollution would continue to reach our rivers,
lakes, and estuaries! The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 60% of the remaining water
pollution in the U.S. can be attributed to nonpoint sources. "Nonpoint source" pollution is generated over
the broader areas of our cities, towns, and suburbs rather than from one specific site. It results from the kind
of everyday activities that no one thinks twice about such as driving to work, cleaning with household
chemicals, and applying fertilizer and pesticides to lawn and garden. In contrast to point source pollution
which occurs on a fairly continuous basis, nonpoint source pollution is carried into receiving waters at
irregular intervals by stormwater runoff.

Stormwater runoff is the rainwater which runs off our roofs, driveways, and along city streets picking up oil,
grease, lead, zinc, and other heavy metals, litter, and dirt from construction sites. In rural areas, runoff flows
over the land carrying sediments, fertilizers, pesticides, and animal wastes. Stormwater runoff washes into
storm drains, drainage ditches, our rivers, creeks, bays, and the Gulf of Mexico.

Runoff moving across the ground may also sink into the soil and contaminate groundwater resources.
Pollutants found in groundwater include pesticides from agriculture, petroleum products from gasoline
storage areas, heavy metals from motor vehicles, and nitratcs,'bacteria, and viruses from septic systems.
Rainwater percolating through older, unlined landfills can leach any number of highly concentrated, toxic
chemicals and carry them to the groundwater.

If Water Is A Shared Resource, Then Preventing Water Pollution Must Be A Shared Responsibility.
Thewaters of Rookery Bay are the primary concern of thisbook. The Coastal Zone ManagementAct of 1972
addressed the need to protect the nation's inshore marine habitats and established the National Estuarine
Research Reserve system under the direction of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA). NOAA is responsible for designating estuaries as reserves and administering the system in
cooperation with state governments. The two Florida reserves, Rookery Bay and Apalachicola Bay, are
managed by the Florida Department of Natural Resources, Division of Marine Resources. A third Florida
NERR, located on the east coast, is being considered for designation. However, government agencies, laws,

iii

and regulations alone cannot fully ensure the ftiture of the Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research
Reserve.

Without the help of individuals and a greater community effort, Rookery Bay and the great wealth of life
within its waters will decline. Nonpoint source pollution is produced unintentionally; we need to address it!
It is ironic that we often end up polluting our environment by how we care for it. Carelessly using something
as simple as soap in our homes or fertilizer on our lawns, affects the people who live downstream and impacts
all other life downstream as well. Individuals can make a difference. When a whole community makes the
commitment to work together, the results can be astonishingly successful. Just imagine saving 30 gallons of
water in your home each day. Your new water-conserving habits are magnified enormously when 100 other
people in the neighborhood get behind the project and do the same. Together you have saved over 3000
gallons of water!

Using KEEP IT CLEAN

An "environmental audit" is the first step to becoming environmentally responsible. Careful examination of
our daily routines may reveal that some of the most ordinary things we do are also the most harmful! This
book can assist you with your own environmental audit. Used as a guide, it can help you determine if what
you are doing has a positive or negative impact on our waters. Clearly this isn't the final word on preventing
water pollution. The possibilities are open and waiting to be explored. Some suggestions will be useful to
you, others will not. Use what best fits your personal circumstances.

Background at the beginning of each chapter and individual sections within chapters provides information
on specific pollution problems. Background information is intended to further your understanding of the
environment, in your own space (inside and outside of the home) and the greater Rookery Bay area.

Key Concepts, summary statements in bold print, focus attention on the most important points of a chapter
or section.

Bullets are bolded and suggest steps that the average citizen can take to help solve water pollution problems.

Safety Concepts are in bold print to alert the reader to potential health risks and safety hazards.

"How To" Concepts are shaded and highlight longer, explanatory blocks of information.

Appendices provide further information.

Resources within the Appendices list agency and organization addresses and telephone numbers to which
the reader is referred throughout the book.

Self Evaluation is included at the back of the book for you to cut out, return by mail, and let us know what
steps you have taken in preventing water pollution. You may come up with a few creative ideas of your own,
too! Let us hear from you. Your feedback can help us evaluate the book and determine future outreach
programs.

Although you may be tempted, please don't skip the INTRODUCTION! It has some startling statistics
about Florida waters and how we use water. It will also introduce you to Rookery Bay, the estuary, and our
watershed. You will never again think of water as only something to drink, swim in, or boat on!

INTRODUCTION

Ask anyone .... yourself included, friends and neighbors, a Florida native, a northern snowbird, and even a
first-time tourist to imagine Florida and make a list of the most striking images which come to mind. What
are the most vivid and lasting impressions of Florida? Palm trees, orange groves, and Disney World;
alligators, ospreys, snail kites and the vast expanse of sawgrass and shining waters of the Everglades; the
heyday of Miami Beach and faded elegance of Art Deco hotels; fishing the black tea waters of the Suwannee
River or the brilliant blue waters off the Florida Keys. The answers will be surprisingly diverse, but invariably
one response will appear throughout the list ..... water.

Bordered on three sides by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, the Florida coastline
runs a distance of nearly 11,000 miles. Equally impressive are the more than 7700 lakes, 1700 rivers and
streams, and 300 springs throughout the peninsula. With outflows ranging from less than one gallon per
minute to millions of gallons in one day, springs remind us of the amazing capacity of Florida's aquifers.
These vast, hidden, underground reservoirs of groundwater provide 90% of us with drinking water.
Thousands of acres of wetlands (riverine floodplains, marshes, swamps, prairies, sloughs, and cypress forests)
must also be included as a major part of Florida's waters. Perhaps because water has such an extraordinary,
widespread presence in Florida, it is taken for granted. As Florida's population continues to soar, water
resources can no longer be thought of as endless.

Based on data compiledby the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Water Resources Council makes projections
concerning water use in the U.S. Regarding the daily volume of fresh water withdrawn for use in the home,
Florida ranks among the top ten states. The average Florida resident uses approximately 175 gallons of water
per day. This amount is well above the nationwide average of 110 gallons and almost three times the amount
used by Great Britain and western Europe which is only 59 gallons per person per day. Intense demand for
water in heavily populated coastal areas may exceed local water supplies, particularly during the dry winter
season when populations peak. Increased pumping in coastal areas can damage wetlands and lead to
saltwater intrusion. We are certain to see rising costs for pumping and treating water as well as increased
competition for water among municipal, industrial, and agricultural interests.

Rookery Bay .... Backyard Treasure
Not so very far beyond your own backyard, there is another 'backyard ...... Rookery Bay. Although it is of
much greater scope and harbors extraordinary wealth, it remains largely unknown to most of us. It may be
surprising to think of water as having greater value than gold, oil, or a pirate's stolen cache. However, water
can be equated with life. Water is essential to all living systems, regardless of whether we are considering a
small forest pool with tree frogs or one of the great cities of the world. Water is the lifeblood of Florida and
our most important link to the environment. It supports Florida's natural resource base, sustains wildlife and
fisheries, and contributes greatly to Florida's economy.

Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is of special interest, because it has many of Florida's
ecosystems within its boundaries and is a microcosm of the greater Florida peninsula. Upland habitats within
or adjacent to the Reserve include assemblages of pine flatwoods, cabbage palm, oaks and other hardwoods,
and tropical hammocks. Strands and pockets of coastal scrub remain here. Rookery Bay has important
wildlife values and plays a significant role in providing habitat and maintaining species diversity. Species
found or sighted in the Reserve and listed by the Federal Government and state Game and Fresh Water Fish
Commissions as endangered, threatened, or of special concern include the West Indian manatee, Atlantic
loggerhead sea turtle, gopher tortoise, bald eagle, least tern, Eastern indigo snake, Florida scrub jay, and the

Florida panther. The cypress community, a freshwater wetland habitat, is scattered throughout the Reserve.
Tangled mangrove forest, parts of which are neither land nor sea, and the fluid expanse of grasses, sedges,
and rushes of salt and freshwater marsh, compose more than 90% of the emergent wetland vegetation. The
many backbays and numerous islands form one of the most extensive mangrove areas in Florida. Marine and
estuarine animals find food, shelter, and nursery habitat within the warm, quiet waters and dense thicket of
prop roots. Herons, egrets, and other coastal birds nest within the mangroves of the overwash islands.

Estuaries ..... Where Rivers Meet the Sea
Located between wave-dominated beaches to the north and a network of low energy lagoons and coastal
mangrove islands to the south, Rookery Bay is a dynamic and ecologically complex estuary. Estuaries are
shallow, inshore marine habitats where the waters of a freshwater stream flow to the sea and meet salty ocean
waters. An estuary may be a bay, lagoon, the mouth of a river, or any other drainage area with a connection
to the sea. Productivity is tremendous with over 75% of the fish and shellfish that are important in Florida's
commercial and sport fisheries spending part of their life cycles within the estuary. The open waters of
Rookery Bay harbor over 100 species of fishes.

Other estuarine habitats found within the waters of Rookery Bay include seagrass beds, mud flats, and oyster
bars. Growing submerged in shallow waters, seagrasses support a diversity of aquatic organisms including
fishes, crustaceans, echinoderms, and sea turtles. Like the mangrove forest, the seagrass meadow provides
a safe nursery habitat, traps sediment, and stabilizes the bottom. Mud flats and oyster bars are home to
worms, mollusks, crabs, insects, and tiny organisms buried within the top layers of sediment. Though not
easily visible to the naked eye, the open waters of Rookery Bay are teeming with countless, driftingplant and
animal life, phyto- and zobplankton. Plankton is used as food by nearly all aquatic animals. The food web,
or who eats what, is always the business at hand. A frenzy of activity is continuously taking place beneath the
deceptively calm waters, where food items are being grazed on, nibbled at, shredded, munched on, filtered,
speared, or swallowed whole.

Canoeing the quiet backwaters offers the unique Florida experience of observing dolphins, manatees, and
birds foraging in shallow waters. Although we can easily observe these and other higher levels in the food
web, we should not forget the fallen mangrove leaf floating about, beginning to decay. Bacteria and fungi
are industriously working away, breaking down the leaf which will disintegrate into thousands of tiny food
particles for such small critters as shrimp, snails, and worms. Eventually the finest organic matter dissolves
and can be filtered or absorbed by animals in all the major estuarine groups. In addition to the food web,
aquatic productivity, and fishing, other important estuarine values include flood control, storm and wave
damage protection, erosion control, water supply and water quality maintenance, climate regulation,
recreation, and aesthetics.

Watersheds
Watersheds are essential to the dynamics and productivity of estuaries. A watershed is the drainage basin
or the land area drained by a regional creek, stream, or river system. Freshwater rivers carry dissolved
nutrients from upland and wetland habitats into the estuary. Decaying organic debris referred to as detritus
and sediments rich in minerals are part of this nutrient inflow. These ingredients, together with saltmarsh,
seagrass, and mangrove vegetation, plankton, and bottom sediments, are warmed by the sun and stirred by
the energy of wind, rain, tides, and currents. This very enriched broth is responsible for the great productivity
of Rookery Bay and other Gulf Coast estuaries.

Although nutrient input is essential to the health of an estuary, too many nutrients can cause serious
pollution problems. Fertilizers and malfunctioning septic systems are sources of nutrient pollution. Seasonal

weather patterns worsen the problem. During the dry winter months and times of drought, nonpoint
pollutants accumulate, building up heavy loads. When it rains, pollutant loads shock receiving waters and
estuarine systems. At the beginning of a storm, when the first flush of contaminants is washed into area
waters, aquatic life is subject to intense stress and damage.

An area of land known as Belle Meade is the primary watershed of Rookery Bay. The Belle Meade
Watershed includes most of the area which drains into Henderson Creek and the Ten Thousands Islands.
Freshwater flow into Rookery Bay comes from Henderson Creek to the west and from Stopper and Sandhill
creeks to the northwest. Agriculture is currently the most significant use of land in the Belle Meade area,
along with single-family residences. Located approximately 10 miles southeast of Naples and comprised of
over 100,000 acres, Belle Meade is largely undeveloped with a number of diverse habitats including hydric
pine flatwoods, scrub, mixed swamp, pond apple sloughs, tropical hardwood hammocks, cypress domes,
strands, and savannas, cabbage palm hammocks, wet prairies, freshwater marsh, salt marsh, and mangroves.

Rain disappears through the deep, sandy soils, replenishes the water table, and trickles down through cracks
within the thick limestone aquifer to recharge groundwater. Wetlands store surface water and vegetation
slows and filters storrawater runoff before it is channeled into Henderson Creek. Rookery Bay depends on
clean freshwater inflows to dilute seawater, provide nutrients for plant productivity, and help create its
unique estuarine environment. Problems arise when the quality, amount, and timing of freshwater inflows
are altered. The loss of freshwater input and terrestrial nutrients can result in the deterioration of salt marsh,
mangroves, and seagrass beds due to increased salinities. Clearly, the protection and preservation of the
Belle Meade Watershed and Henderson Creek Basin are of critical importance to Rookery Bay.

Waters In Balance
As we have seen, Rookery Bay is a body of water that is made up of many different elements. All of the
biological organisms (animal, plant, andbacteria) and physical and chemical parameters including temperature,
salinity, pH, and dissolved oxygen exist together in "balance". If this estuary or any other "living" body of water
is disturbed, the balance is lost, the waters begin to die, fish kills result, and other aquatic species gradually
disappear.

We have to learn to think of a body of water as an ecosystem, the stability of which is proportional to the
number of species that inhabit it. Consider an aquarium as the living body of water which symbolizes a much
larger pond, bay, or an ocean. Imagine adding drops of oil, detergent, pesticides, or paint thinner to it with
an eyedropper. Think of the eyedropper as a river draining stormwater runoff from the watershed. A penny
and a nickel tossed into the aquarium are the heavy metals from automobiles. At some point, conditions in
this little body of water will change for the worse so that fish, crabs, plants, and bacteria will be unable to
survive. Regardless of size, rivers, lakes, estuaries, wetlands, and, yes, even oceans are vulnerable to
pollution.

It is only recently that we have learned that management of water resources must protect the natural
environment as well as meet our urban, industrial, and agricultural needs. Estuaries are sensitive to pollution
and subject to pressures from coastal development. Southwest Florida is one of the fastest growing areas in
the United States. Collier is one of four coastal counties containing 97% of the total permanent residential
population in a regional group of six counties. Northern seasonal residents increase the population of this
area by an additional 22% during the winter. Our presence is disturbing the"balance". Florida's history has
always involved water, often with drastic ecological consequences. Ultimately, it is up to each of us to write
a new chapter in Florida's water history .... one for the better.

vii

FA.T HOME

At Home, the beginning chapter of KEEP IT CLEAN 'includes a
number of different sections ranging from Household Chemicals to
Aquariums. Being cautious with chemicals and the benefits of A young mother with a house
conserving water are obvious to everyone. However, you may very cleaning service makes a habit of
well wonder why a section on aquariums is included. Seemingly using natural alternatives to
harmless aquariums have had a major impact on Florida waters. strong commercial products in
Reading the background information of ALL chapters and sections her business. She helps keep
will give you a more thorough understanding of the pollution surface and ground waters clean
problems threatening our waters today. The impact of aquariums and helps reduce the solid waste
and other less obvious water pollution problems will become stream at the landfill.
apparent after reading the introductions.

HouSEHOLD CHEMICALS

Preventing water pollution in and around our homes begins with
taking an inventory of common household products and cleaners
that we use everyday. Look under the kitchen and bathroom sinks,
check the laundry and utility room, and survey, the shelves and
corners of the garage, workshop, and storage
closet. Most of our homes will turn up a
small chemical arsenal. Oven, drain, and
toilet cleaners contain the caustic base lye
(sodium hydroxide). Laundry detergents,
abrasive cleansers, and mildew removers
contain bleach (sodium hypochlorite).
Cleaners that dissolve hard water scale
deposits contain sulfamic and hydroacetic
acids.

..........
Many common household products contain
petroleum-based chemicals and other non-
M
'MEW"
biodegradable ingredients. Aerosols,
automotive products, metal, shoe, and Im"",
furniture polishes, floor care products, and
bug sprays and pesticides are high in carbon-
based organic compounds. Petroleum distillates make some
products flammable. Some of the most toxic household products
are those used in home maintenance and repair including paints,
preservatives, strippers and thinners, glues, and varnishes.

The garages, basements, and attics of older homes are quite possibly
storing products that have been sitting for years, and in some cases,
even decades. Unknown chemicals with missing or illegible labels

and banned pesticides such as DDT, whose active ingredients are
now considered too risky for consumer use, may turn up. Homes
with a photography, art, or ceramics studio or a swimming pool,
boat, or garden add more chemicals to the inventory.
Mostpeople take extra precautions with strong household cleaners,
chemicals, and other substances that could potentially poison or
harm children and pets. Few people think twice about pouring
chemicals down the drain, flushing them down the toilet, dumping
Take care when buying, them on the ground, or hosing them off the driveway. We don't stop
to consider the dangers when we dispose of "empty" containers by
using, storing, and setting them out for garbage pick-up. Cans and other containers
with residual chemicals that are trucked to landfills could potenti,
disposing of household leak toxins into the air, soil, groundwater, and eventually the food-
chain. In the case of incinerators, gaseous emissions and other fine
chemicals. Cut down particulate matter have the potential to contaminate air and surface
waters. The improper storage of toxic ash has the potential to
on the number of pollute groundwater. We can significantly reduce the impact of
hazardous chemicals in a number of ways.
hazardous household
When purchasing household chemicals:
products. Read the label. It should list the ingredients, instructions for
use, storage, and disposal, potential hazards and warnings.
Compare a number of products, select the least toxic product,
and buy only the amount needed.

o Buy nonaerosol sprays and biodegradable products that come
in recyclable containers.

o Buy rechargeable batteries. Nickel-cadmium batteries are
more expensive than alkaline, but can be recharged up to 100
times saving money in the long run and keeping toxic metals out
of the landfill or incinerator.

0 Buy multi-purpose products. Uok for the non-phosphate,
biodegradable laundry detergent that cleans and bleaches and
the all-purpose household cleaner that can clean a variety of
washable surfaces: walls, tiles, floors, counter tops, glass, ceramic,
and wood.

o Consider nontoxic alternatives in place of strong household
cleaners and commercial products. Simple ingredients such as
soap, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), washing soda (sodium
carbonate), borax, distilled white vinegar, lemon juice, and
ammonia can be safe, effective, and economical.

When using household chemicals:

0 Use the product only as directed and only when needed.

e Read the label carefully so potential hazards are understood.
Take appropriate precautions (opening windows for adequate
ventilation, wearing protective gloves or goggles, removing
food and dishes, etc.).

� Never remove a label. Labels should remain intact for easy
referral.

� Follow the directions for the amounts needed. More is not
better. More will not clean faster and may even create problems.
Continuing to dump lye drain cleaner down a clogged drain
after the initial application fails to open it can damage pipes or
the septic system.

� Keep sand, kitty litter, sawdustor some other absorbent material
on hand to clean up spills.

e Never use chemicals around wells, septic systems, cisterns, or
waterbodies.

CAUTION. Never mix household products together or use
simultaneously. Dangerous chemical reactions can occur. The
combination of ammonia and chlorine bleach produces deadly
chloramine gas.

When storing or disposing of household chemicals:

� Store products as directed. Products should be kept in a safe,
well-ventilated place, out of direct sunlight, and in areas not
subject to temperature extremes.

* Neverdispose ofpaints, preservatives, thinners, brush cleaners,
or other solvents by pouring them down the drain, on the
ground, or into a street or storm drain. Some of these products
contain the suspected carcinogen methylene chloride, toluene,
and other toxic chemicals. Disposing of these chemicals carelessly
could destroy the beneficial bacteria of septic systems and
sewage treatment plants. Septic systems and sewage plants are
not able to break down hazardous wastes completely, so some
toxins are carried into area surface and ground waters.

� Never burn or bury unused chemicals or their containers.

Do not use wood preservatives containing creosote,
pentachlorophenol, or arsenic. Leftover wood preservatives,
treated scrap wood, shavings, and sawdust should be delivered
to a hazardous waste collection center.

CAUTION. Store products out of the reach of children.
How To
CAUTION. Store products with lids tightly closed. Harmful fumes
What to Do With Leftover may escape from an open container; acid may splash the .. .. ......
Supplies person who reaches for the container.
Unused or partialy used paints and
decorating supplies can be donated to CAUTION. Store products in their original containers. Transferring
local organizations such as theater a toxic substance to a different container is dangerous the
groups, homeless shelters, or to a could result in accidental poisoning. Some ingredients are
hazardous waste collection exchange chemically incompatible with materials from which containers
program. If leftover paint cannot be are made (certain plastice, for example), and will dissolve or
used, place the opened can in a well- melt the container.
ventilated place (preferably outdoors).
After the contents solify, stuff the can RESOURCES: Refer to the Appendix for a complete list of products
with old newspapers, seal the lid, and set and the traditional cleansers and natural alternatives that can be
out for curbside trash collection. Paint substituted for these products.
thinner, turpentine, mineral spirits, and
brush cleaners containing solvents can
be recycled by storing in a closed
container until particles settle out. The
liquid solvent should then be filtered
into a separate labeled metal container
and stored for further use. The container
with sludge should be taken to a
hazardous waste collection center.

HOME WATER CONSERVATION

Water is an essential resource.... necessary for agriculture, industry,
recreation, the environment, and all life. Water conservation is the
responsibility of all users including individual homeowners. Wise
water use is crucial to Florida's environmental health and general
well-being. Rainfall is the only source of fresh water in central and
southern Florida, and it is not spread evenly throughout the year.
The demand for water is greatest during the winter months when
rainfall is at the lowest levels. Seasonal residents swell the population
and waves of tourists arrive during the winter. The water problem
. compounded in the Naples/Rookery Bay area and other points
's
along Florida's coasts. Seasonal increases in population are greatest
in coastal areas where fresh water is least available.

Reducing water consumption saves money. Residents who are on
a municipal water system pay for pumping, treating, and distributing
water to users. Wastewater treatment bills may be based on the
quantity of water used. People in rural areas may have good well
water available, but they must pay for the installation, operation,
and maintenance of a pump. Most of us use far more water than we
need. An average Florida household uses between 60 to over 300
gallons per person per day! By practicing water conservation, we
can reduce the amount of water use in our homes between 30 to
40%!
Important ways to conserive water include thefollowing: Think about water
9 Use water-saving, flow-restricting shower heads, low-flow
faucets, toilet flushing devices, and other water-saving conservation before
appliances.
e Reduce the amount ofwater used for flushing toilets. Place two turning on the faucet.
half-gallon plastic milk jugs (cleaned and partially filled with A few simple changes
gravel or stones to add weight) inside your toilet tank where
they do not interfere with flushing mechanisms. The bottles in our everyday habits
displace a certain amount of water which refills the tank and
cuts down the number of gallons used per flush. reduce water use and
e Repair leaky faucets, pipes, and toilets promptly. A steady drip
can waste as much as 20 gallons in one day, 600 gallons in one add up to save water.
month! Water leaking from the toilet tank into the bowl can
waste between 200 and 500 gallons of water in one day! Check
your toilets by adding food coloring to the tank. If color
appears in the bowl after half an hour elapses without any
flushing, you have a leak. Leaking faucets and toilet tanks can

eventually saturate the drainfield of a septic system. Worn out
faucet washers and faulty toilet valves account for 5% to 10 %
of all residential consumption.

� Run the dishwasher only when fully loaded. Use the energy and
water-saving cycles with short washes and rinses. Dishwashers
can use as much as 15 gallons of water. Water-saving cycles cut
the amount by almost half. Dishes can be pre-rinsed or soaked
Remember the Indian in a stoppered sink instead of under running water.
Proverb: The frog does 9 Do laundry at intervals throughout the week instead of doing
several loads all at once. The greatest volume of water e;dting
a home in one surge is from the washing machine. Washers use
not drink up the pond in between 30 to 50 gallons for a full load. Always turn the water
level control to the appropriate setting (low, medium, high) to
which he lives. match the corresponding size load of clothes. Permanent press
cycles use an additional ten to twenty gallons of water.

� Explore recycling "gray water". If you have a large family
requiring many wash loads, consider installing a separate gray
or dual water system for bath/shower runoff. Graywaterwaste
is non- sewage as opposed to blackwater waste from toilets and
garbage disposals.

� Use the garbage disposal only when needed and once at the end
of meal preparation and dinner. Garbage disposals require a
large quantity of running water to operate. Garbage sorted for
the compost pile and trash collection is preferable to sending it
down the disposal.

� Avoid running water continuously in the kitchen sink. Rinse
dishes, fruits, and vegetables in a bowl. Thaw frozen foods in a
container of cold water, in the refrigerator, the microwave, or
at room temperature. Keep a container in the refrigerator for
cool drinking water.

� Avoid letting the water run down the drain. You can save
between 10 and 20 gallons of water by turning off the water until
it's time to rinse while brushing teeth, shaving, or shampooing.

Take shorter showers. Take a 3 gallon shower instead of a 30
gallon shower and don't fill the bathtub so full.

0 When dining out, inform service personnel not to bring water
to your table unless you order it.

e Sweep sidewalks and driveways rather than hosing them down.

0 W ash the car using a bucket and hose with a.shut-off nozzle.

e Water the lawn, garden, and plants only when needed. For
specific recommendations, see the Watering and Irrigation
section in the chapter FRONT YARD/BACKYARD.

SEPTIc TANKS

Water pollution problems associated with malfunctioning septic
systems area major problem. Septic systems are the most frequently
reported sources of groundwater contamination. There are over
one million septic systems in Florida! Prior to 1970, Collier County
had close to 7500 septic tank systems. Following 1976, new septic
tanks were installed at the rate of 1000 per year, keeping pace with
Collier County's rapid population growth. When properly designed,
installed, and maintained, septic systems can provide cost-effective
treatment of household sewage and many years of dependable
service with little adverse impact on the environment. Whenever
someone in your family showers, takes a bath, flushes the toilet,
runs the garbage disposal, runs the dishwasher, or washes a load of
clothes, wastewater leaves the house and carries along human
Whatever is rinsed wastes, dirt, oil and grease, chemicals, nutrients, and bacteria and
viruses. Septic systems receive, treat, and dispose of this wastewater
d all that it carries.
down the kitchen sink an
Because septic systems are underground, they are often forgotten
or flushed down the or ignored by many homeowners. Problems arise when normal
maintenance procedures are neglected. A failing system becomes
toilet makes its way apparent when toilets and drains operate sluggishly, sewage backs
up, or foul- smelling effluent rises to the ground. In some instances,
into the soil and however, a malfunctioning septic system may not show any
indications of trouble. The failure goes undetected, and the system
groundwater or continues to quietly release pollutants into the groundwater.
remains in the septic When a septic system malfunctions, it loses the ability to remove
pollutants and disease -carrying microorganisms from the
tank until it is pumped wastewater. What follows is the pollution of groundwater and deep
wells supplying drinking water and other household needs. Surface
out. waters, near-shore areas, streams, and estuaries may also be
contaminated from leaking systems. When a septic system fails, the
homeowner is faced with plumbing back ups, overflows, and
expensive repair costs. There is also a very serious potential threat
to human health. Our domestic wastewater contains bacteria and
viruses that cause hepatitis, dysentery, and gastrointestinal infections.

Another harmful effect of leaking systems is the addition of nutrients
to surface waters. Nitrogen and phosphorus act as fertilizer, foster
excessive growth of algae and submerged aquatic weeds and
vegetation in areawaters, and disturb the natural balance of aquatic
communities. Dissolved oxygen can be used by the vegetation and
depleted to the point where fish and other aquatic creatures are
endangered. In extreme cases, fish kills result. Nitrogen in the form
of nitrate poses a significant health threat. Septic effluent carries

nitrogen in the form of ammonia, which undergoes a chemical
reaction to form nitrate. Nitrates move through the soil and into
surface and ground waters. If nitrates are not diluted by rainwater,
concentrations can reach harmful levels and contaminate
groundwater and drinking wells. Nitrates interfere with the blood's
ability to carry oxygen and are of particular risk to infants.

Naples is one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the
United States. As the population continues to grow, housing needs
expand and new homes are built. The consequence of one faulty
septic system multiplied many times over, becomes a problem of
enormous magnitude. When added together, the cumulative effect
of failing septic systems is absolutely devastating to water quality.

Responsibly use and maintain your septic system:

Know the location ofall parts ofyour septic system. Checkyour
septic tank for accumulation of sludge and surface scum on an
annual basis. Most licensed septic companies will do a free
inspection as a courtesy service. Sludge and scum should be
removed every three to five years, although some systems may
operate satisfactorily for a longer period of time. Removing
sludge and scum ensures an adequate volume of wastewater in
the tank and prevents solids from clogging the soil absorption
field.

Keep the septic tank and adjacent soil absorption field clear.
Heavy vehicles can'collapse drain lines and tree roots can clog
lines. The drainfield needs to 'breathe" and should not be
covered by any hard surface such as a patio or tennis court.
Donotuse Iseptic tank additives or cleaning compounds. There Not for septic systems:
is no evidence that yeast, bacteria, enzyme additives, and chemical kleenex
treatments improve the system.
paper towels
Minimize or eliminate the use of the kitchen garbage disposal. hygiene products
Using a garbage disposal can increase the solids load to the disposable diapers
septic tankby as much as 50%. Never pour grease, cooking oils, condoms
fats, or gristle down the sink drain or through the garbage dental floss
disposal.. Grease should be absorbed in paper and put in the
garbage. Solidified -fats can build up and obstruct parts of the cigarettes
system. A kitchen sink strainer helps reduce the amount of food coffee grounds
waste entering the septic tank. grease
cat litter
Do not use the bathroom toilet or kitchen sink as a trash can.
Burdening a system increases maintenance and repair costs.

Do not pour household chemicals down the kitchen sink or
toilet. Avoid using strong detergents, solvents, and disinfectants
which can destroy the beneficial bacteria actively decomposing
sewage. Products are now labeled "safe for septic tanks". Dump
cleaning water in the yard. Use toilet paper that has not been
bleached, dyed, or perfumed.

� Use phosphate-free laundry and dishwashing detergents,
biodegradable cleaning products, and natural substitutes that
will not damage the septic system.

� When installing a septic system, have a state-certifled contractor
evaluate the site. Factors such as soil permeability, water table
elevation, and the size of the drainfield should be explained.

� Evaluate'Your septic system when home water requirements
change. Older homes equipped with smaller septic systems may
not be able to handle the large amounts of water modern
appliancesuse. Increase in water use may saturate the drainfield
and force water to the soil surface. The system may need to be
enlarged.

� Directrain runofffrom roofdownspouts and foundation drains
away from the septic system to avoid saturating the soil.
Refrain from watering the lawn orvegetation over the drainfield.

� Conserve water and reduce water flow to the septic system.
Leaking faucets and, toilet tanks can eventually saturate the
drainfield. For more information, refer to the section Home
Water Conservation.

Signs of septic system failure:

0 Sluggish flow from drains in the house and sluggish toilet
flushes accompanied by gurgling sounds in the plumbing. If
only one drain is affected, a single clogged pipe may be
responsible. If all kitchen and bathroom drains are slow, the
problem is likely to be within the septic system.

0 Patches of lush, green grass in the yard indicate the system is
allowing effluent to rise near the surface.

CAUTION. Effluent rising to the ground. Wastewater forming
puddles on the lawn is serious. Children might play in them by
mistake. Effluent rising from trenches will appear as a gray-
black liquid flowing across the ground or into a ditch or low
spot. The liquid will be clearly visible and have an unpleasant
smell.

Soft, spongy ground underfoot and the appearance oflow spots
or depressions in the soil, indicate poor drainage and soil
saturation. Poor drainage due to an undersized or improperly
installed system, one located in the wrong kind of soil, or a
drastic increase in water use may be responsible for drainfield
failure.

Noticeable odors inside or outside the house and plumbing
back ups indicate septic system problems.

Note: I-Egh water tables are prevalent in Florida, and they can
impede drainage. If the groundwater moves into the soil
absorption system, effluent can be forced up towards the surface
before pollutants and organisms are removed, or the wastewater
can be carried along with the groundwater and travel long
distances from the absorption area. It is essential that sufficient
depth of soil exist between the bottom of the drainfield trench
and the seasonal high water table.

Resource: For a detailed explanation of how a properly functioning
septic tank system works, refer to the Appendix.

AUTO CARE

Water pollution problems are associated with automotive
maintenance. Many automotive maintenance products and cleaning
compounds contain hydrocarbons and other chemicals which can
cause water pollution problems. Even in
small quantities, oil can severely damage
the aquatic environment and wreck hav
oc

..........
. . . . . . . . . . . on fish, invertebrates, mammals, and birds.
Approximately25% of a car owners change
their own oil. According to the Department
of Environmental Regulation, this accounts
for approximately 180 to 200 million gallons
of used oil annually. Only 10% to 14% of
this amount is disposed of properly. It is
.. . .. .. ...
estimated that 62% of all petroleum-related
pollution in the United States including oil
spills in coastal waterways, is used lube oil
which eventually works its way into the
M
ocean environment.

Each year in Florida alone, an estimated 7 million gallons of used
oil are disposed of improperly! The used oil may end up down a
storm drain, poured over a gravel road with the misguided intention
of keeping the dust down, thrown in the garbage, or just discarded
in a remote area on the outskirts of town. This oil may end up in a
nearby waterbody, it may leach into g'roundwater, or it maybecome
a source of pollution in stormwater runoff. The four to six quarts
of oil from one oil change are capable of producing an eight-acre oil
slick. Films of oil on the surface of a body of water prevent the
replenishment of dissolved oxygen, block sunlight, and impair
Auto Pollutants: photosynthetic processes. A single quart of oil has the capacity to
contaminate 250,000 gallons of drinking water. Individuals who
dispose of used oil by pouring it down a storm sewer are sending oil
oil and gasoline into coastal waters. The U.S Coast Guard estimates that sewage
battery acid treatment plants discharge twice as much oil (15 million gallons per
antifreeze year) into coastal waters as do tanker accidents (7.5 million gallons
transmission fluid per year). It just makes good sense to recycle used oil. Refining
brake fluid used oil takes only 113 the amount of energy that refining crude oil
rust preventative to lubricant quality requires.
degreasers Oil is only one factor. More than 13,000 leaking underground fuel
car waxes tanks have been reported in Florida since 1986! In a five coun
group including Collier, there are more than 900 leaking gasoli e
storage tanks. Water pollution problems may arise from t e
improper use or disposal of other auto products. Another water
quality problem associated with vehicles has to do with heavy

metals. Such heavy metals as lead, zinc, copper, cadmium, and
chromium are found in the tires, brake systems, and hydraulic fluids
of cars, trucks, and buses. These metals, along with oil and grease,
appear as dark streaks on the road, and are washed off area
highways in stormwater runoff after a hard rain. Cars and trucks
also pollute water indirectly through exhaust emissions. Lead and
hydrocarbon pollutants exiting a vehicle's exhaust system eventually
settle and are carried away from the road as runoff. Heavy metals
become amassed in the bottom sediments of our streams and
estuaries causing adverse impacts to aquatic life as well as Never pour oil down a
contaminating the water.
Specifics tofollow in automobile maintenance: storm drain.
0 Keep your vehicle in good operating order. Drive a fuel- Recycling used oil and
efficient car that uses unleaded gas and keep the engine well- antifreeze is a must.
tuned to limit pollutant emissions.

* Check the conditions of belts and hoses. Replace hoses before
they develop cracks and repair fluid leaks immediately.

* Never discard oil or other automotive chemicals in a careless
manner. Used oil should be taken in a labeled container to a
hazardous waste collection center, a county recycling station, or
to a local service station that recycles oil.

CAUTION: Antifreeze/engine coolant contains ethylene glycol, a
compound toxic to humans, fish, and wildlife. It poses a special
threat to pets. Cats and dogs that encounter a puddle of
antifreeze, are likely to lap up the sweet-tasting liquid and die.
Used antifreeze goes to a hazardous waste collection center, a
radiator specialist, or to a garage with an antifreeze storage
drum.

o Wash your car only when necessary. Use non-phosphate or
very low- phosphate, biodegradable, mild soaps or detergents.

o Use a bucket, sponge, and a hose with a pistol grip nozzle. This
kind of shut-off nozzle produces high pressure, uses a low
volume of water, and is easily attached to any standard garden
hose.

0 Hosing down the car and washing it in sections, followed by a
quick final rinse conserves water and limits surface runoff.
Commercial car washes use water efficiently, recycle water, and
dispose of runoff properly.

Homeowners with large expanses of yard, can wash the car on
the lawn and water the grass at the same time. Avoid parking
near the septic tank system.

Resource: Refer to the Appendix for the location of oil and battery
recycling facilities.

PETS

"Curb Your Dog", once the customary rule to follow when walking
the family dog, is no longer considered to be acceptable behavior
Keep animal wastes because of potential water problems associated with animal wastes.
Carried by stormwater runoff, the untreated animal wastes
out of Florida waters. contaminate surface waters with the nutrients nitrogen and
phosphorus and with bacteria and viruses. In urban areas, surface
runoff flushes petwastes off sidewalks, streets, andgutters into storm
drains and ditches, then carries the wastes into surface waters. Urban
ponds, lakes, and wetlands can be contaminated by wastes from
Muscovy ducks and other waterfowl. In rural areas, keeping large
farm animals such as cows and horses, requires the proper
management of manure so that it is not carried into nearby streams
by runoff.

Help keep our surface waters clean:

0 Clean up afteryour pet. Pickup wastes and dispose of them in the
trash. Use a "pooper scooper" when walking the dog on a paved
surface.

0 Bury wastes at least 6 to 8 inches below the soil surface and away
from surface waters.

0 Flush wastes down the toilet, if doing so won't stress a septic
system.

0 People who keep horses and other large animals should store
manure on higher dry ground and spread manure at least 100
feet away from waterbodies.

Refrain from feeding domestic ducks, waterfowl, and wildlife in
city parks and urban wetlands.

Awmuums

The presence of non-native plants and animals is
another serious problem of Florida waters.
Florida's sub-tropical climate, 2.6 million acres
of inland waterways, thriving aquarium trade,
and cattle ranches resulted in the introduction of
exotic aquatic plants into state waters. In the
absence of native biological controls, these plants
spread aggressively, displaced native species, and
are controlled at great economic cost.

The aquarium plant, hydrilla, is now part of the
Florida flora, having spread throughout the state . . . . . . . . . . .
during the 1960's. A freshwater vascular plant,
hydrilla grows rooted from the bottom or drifts
in the water. It blocks navigation, depletes o en,
and leads to deterioration of fisheries. Hydrilla and other aquatic
plants became illegal to possess after state legislation was enacted in
1969. The importation, transportation, cultivation, collection,
possession and retail sales of aquatic plants are prohibited without
first obtaining a permit from the Department of Natural Resources.
Other problem aquarium herbs include the sprawling hygrophila and
limnophila, which grow in the water and along banks.

Water hyacinth and water lettuce are floating aquatic plants which
form dense rafts in the water and mud. The mats interfere with the
passage of light and the diffusion of oxygen into the water, shading
out and eventually killing beneficial submerged vegetation. Torpedo
grass, planted throughout Florida as pasture forage, is another
problem species. It grows in both terrestrial and aquatic habitats
where it forms large mats.

Exotic and/or tropical fish can present problems, too. The Nile perch
and peacock bass are a problem for native sport fishes as they
compete aggressively for bedding sites. The impact of the notorious
walking catfish is not yet known. Non-native aquarium
Help keep Florida watersfree of exotic species plants and animals do
Never empty an aquarium into a stream, canal, or any other body not belong in Florida
of water. Aquarium plants clog waterways and impede the flow
of water. Aquarium fish may displace native fishes. Fish may be waters.
returned to pet stores.

Resource: Refer to the Appendix for aquatic plant control
information.

POOLS

Many Florida residents enjoy the pleasures of a backyard swimming
pool. Pools require substantial chemical treatment, particularly
chlorine, to keep the water bacteria-free. Chlorine and other pool
maintenance chemicals should never be drained directly into a street
Keep chlorine and pool or waterbody.
chemicals out of Follow these precautions when draining swimming pools:
Florida waters. 9 Drain your pool only when necessary. Never drain a pool when
water restrictions are in place.

� Allow pool water to stand for several days without any new
addition of chemicals before draining, as chlorine dissipates
rapidly.

� Drain the pool slowly over a large expanse ofyard. The water can
filter evenly down through the ground and be absorbed by the
soil.

� Swimming pool chemicals and containers should be taken to a
hazardous waste collection center.

Mt-I.ONT YARD
K-ACK YARD

Stormwater runoff is responsible for more than half of Florida's
waterpollution! It is a problem in both urban and rural communities.
Urbanization brings paved roads, buildings, parking lots, tennis
courts, homesi and driveways. Rain cannot soak into these hard
surfaces, but pollutants can accumulate on them. The pollutant A county Principal Environmental
load is large and includes oils and heavy metals from cars and trucks, Planner teaches Native
chemicals used in lawn care and agriculture, a flush of nutrients Landscaping in a community adult
from septic systems, sewers, and storm drains, and sediments, litter, education program. By using
and other suspended solids from streets and construction sites. native plants, homeowners
During hard rains, stormwater runoff and all that it carries is conserve water and keep surface
flushed out to Florida's coastal waters via creeks, canals, and weir and ground waters free of fertilizer
systems. Aside from environmental impacts, there are economic and pesticides.
impacts. When natural and engineered systems are unable to safely
carry and store flood waters, property damage may result.
Storinwater pollution may close shellfishing, fisheries suffer, and
the cost of providing clean drinking water increases.

In the past, areas of scrub, pine flatwoods, and cypress forest were
more extensive throughout Florida and Collier County. Runoff
moved in wide sheet flow patterns following the natural contours of
the land. Vegetated areas allowed rainwater to soak gradually intc
the ground where it filtered through soils, recharged groundwater,
or freshened stagnant surface waters of wetlands and was taken
up by plants or slowly evaporated.

Rapid population growth accompanied by continued urbanization
interferes with natural drainage processes. We have all
experienced driving through flooded areas after a torrential
summer downpour. All of this water must go somewhere .... into
a drainage ditch along the side of a road, down a storm drain into
a sewer system, and into creeks or canals which eventually empty
into estuaries, bays, and the Gulf.

Althoughwe may thinkthat land use management and stormwater
anagement are the responsibility of city and county governments,
what we do in our yards, on our driveways, and in our gardens
in

directly impacts water quality and the health of our lakes, creeks,
and estuaries. Our everyday outdoor activities may contribute to
stormwater pollution. A thorough examination of a home's
exterior, driveway, yard and landscaped areas after a hard rain
may reveal problems of drainage, soil erosion, or rapid runoff.
Howweplan ourhomes, landscape ourproperty, andcare for our

lawns and gardens can greatly reduce surface runoff and help keep
surface runoff clean. Creative landscaping has both environmental
and economic benefits. In addition to filtering rainwater and
preventing erosion, it cleans the air and minimizes dust. By providing
natural cooling, it reduces electricity and utility maintenance bills.
Landscape screening increases privacy and reduces noise pollution.
It provides habitat for wildlife and supports natural communities.
Finally, creative landscaping provides beautiful green spaces for
family use and enhances the appearance, liveability, and the value
of home and property.

Being environmentally

healthy does not always

mean having the

greenest yard on the

block!

LAwNAND LANDSCAPE

Cutting the grass too short, overwatering, and using too many
fertilizers and pesticides are the most common mistakes in yard
care. A manicured, weed-free, emerald green lawn is not always
environmentally sound.

Adopt a sensible lawn care program and landscape plan:

o Limit the amount of lawn. Trees, shrubs, ground cover, and
other native vegetation absorb many times more rainfall and
require less maintenance than a mowed lawn.

* Avoid cutting the grass too short. Increased blade height avoids
stressing the grass and allows the development of a deeper root Common Natives:
system. Adjust frequency of mowing to the time of year, the
amount of rainfall, and how high the grass has grown. The Trees
general recommendation is to mow so that no more than 113 of
the blade height is removed with each mowing. live oak
o Leave grass cuttings on the lawn. Grass cuttings quickly laurel oak
decompose and are a natural fertilizer returning nitrogen to the slash pine
soil. Be aware that chemically treated lawns slow the decay cabbage palm
process. buttonwood

o Keep your lawn mower serviced. Dull blades do not cut
properly and weaken the grass, making it susceptible to pests. Shrubs
Dense, healthy grass eliminates weeds and the need for
herbicides. wax myrtle
o Landscape around your home and throughout the yard. myrsine
Strategically planted vegetation will promote water infiltration sea grape
into the soil. Plants soften the impact of rain and their roots take COCOPIUM
up water. Leaf debris, mulch, grass clippings, and other decaying lantana
organic matter recycle nutrients, build up the organic content of firebush
the soil, and improve the capacity of the soil to retain moisture. silver buttonwood

Preserve existing native vegetation. Established natural plant
communities are self-maintaining and providebenefits including Ground Covers
shade, storm and erosion protection, and visual screening.
Landscaping can easily complement existing native vegetation. leather fern
coontie
Consider native plants when designing a landscape. Plants that beach sunflower
grow naturally in Florida are heat, drought, salt tolerant, and
pestresistant. Native specieswithstand common disease, weather sea oxeye
the occasional cold spell, and eliminate the need for extensive woodbine
watering and the use of chemicals. gaillardia

Remove invasive exotic plants. Brazilian pepper, Australian
pine, and melaleuca grow rapidly, overtake habitat, and prevent
the recovery of disturbed land and ecosystems.

Recycle unused horticultural waste. Dispose of grass clippings,
leaves, palm fronds, and tree and shrub trimmings on designated
yard waste collection days. Horticultural debris accounts for
about 15% of all wastes disposed of in Collier County. Solid
Waste processes these materials into a weed-free natural mulch
which is available at all Collier County waste facilities free of
charge.

Use a professional lawn care service with a customized service
to meet your lawn and landscape needs. The service should use
fertilizers and pesticides as needed, not on a mass-production
base with a set number of treatments to deal with potential
problems.

WATERINGAND IRRIGATION
21
Landscapes can demand as much as 50% of the
waterused in home consum tion. Water-efficient

landscaping practices must be adopted now. Wise
water use helps to avert emergency water
conditions.

Practice water conservation through
creative landscaping.

Arrange plants in groups according to their
cultural needs. Know the conditions of a
Plant native
plant's natural community.
species that exhibit wide latitude in adaptation
to different conditions.

Water only as needed, instead of on a fixed schedule. Heavy
summer rains revive lawns overnight. During the fall and winter
when there are periods of infrequent rain or cool, cloudy
weather, water once every two or three weeks if at all.

Irrigate in the early morning, late evening, or during the night
to avoid hot sun and a strong breeze. Water is lost to evaporation
or scattered by wind during the day.
HOW TO
Direct water sprinklers away from paved areas such as streets, qC4qU
sidewalks, and driveways. Irrigating Efficiently
Sprinklers and pop-up spray heads
which cover larger areas are best for
lawns. Soaker hoses can be used in
narrow areas such as borders and
Turn off automatic watering systems during periods of heavy areas of ground cover. Low volume 6qAqr a re 0q6qp
rains. drips are suitable for areas where
annuals are planted. Micro-jets and
bubblers can be used to water
individual trees and shrubs. Water
is kept at the base of the plant so the
root zone is soaked. Bubblers are
Explore new technology. Super-absorbent water polymers also useful in smaller areas around
form a transparent gel, capture gravitational water from rain or ptios and pools.

sprinklers, and absorb many times their own weight in water

releasing it to plants as the soil dries out.

Avoid overwatering the lawn. Water the yard when the grass

fades to a dull blue-gray. Soak the grass and soil in the root zone,

not just the top of the blades. Frequent light sprinklings can

cause shallow rooting and open the yard to disease pathogens.

Observe water use restrictions which are administered through
local municipal and county government agencies.

HOW TO

Grouping Plants By Water Need

Create a watcr-wisc landscape by planning the following zones:

1) a very low water zone where native and drought tolerant
plants thrive with no irrigation. Watering is needed for a limited
time to establish new plantings. Existing native vegetation is
included here. 2) a low water zone where plants occasionally
require irrigation. Watering is needed only during extended
drought. Plants in this zone can survive for a long time without
rainfall. A mulched/planted border around a house is an example
of a lowwater zone. 3) a moderatewater zonewhich is functional,
limited in size, and easily maintained. Lawn is one of the main
parts of this zone. 4) a zone where plants that need more
frequent irrigation are grouped closely together including smaller
areas such as vegetable gardens, flower beds, and fruit trees. 5)
zones with specific sets of conditions. Examples include areas
with sandy soils, terrain where water drains off rapidly, and areas
of the yard that are too far to reach with irrigation devices. Areas
of poor drainage or low wet areas should be planted with trees,
shrubs, and ground covers that thrive in wet soils.

HOW TO

Watering The Lawn
Water lawnsby applying3/4 to 1 inch of waterper irrigation. This
will moisten the soil to a depth of 4 to 6 inches. To determine how
long it takes your sprinkler to deliver one inch of water, place
several cans at spaced intervals in the spray pattern and run the
system until the water levcl in the cans averages one inch. To
water efficiently and for a more exact calibration, follow these
steps: 1) For hose-end sprinklers, set 5 to 10 cans (3 to 6 inches
in diameter) out at equally spaced intervals in a line from the
sprinkler to the far edge of the water pattern. For in-the-ground
systems, place the cans at random within one zone and repeat for
each zone. 2) Turn on the water for 15 minutes. 3) Measure the
depth of water in each container to the nearest eighth- of-an
inch. 4) Calculate the average depth of water by adding up the
sum of all the depths and dividing by the total number of cans.
5) Multiply the average depth of water by 4 to determine the
irrigation rate in inches per hour. This is the amount of water
soaking into the soil in one hour. Use the table as a reference for
how long your sprinklers should run. If your system operates at
a rate of 1 inch per hour and you want to apply 3/4 of-an-inch of
water, you would have to turn it on for about 45 minutes.

Irrigation Rate (inches per hour)

1/211 111 11/2" 2"

Amount of water Time in minutes to run each zone
to be applied

1/4" 30 15 10 8

1/2" 60 30 20 15

3/4" 90 45 30 23

120 60 40 30

EROSIONAND SEDIMENTS

Stormwater runoff carries sediment loads from
construction sites and eroding stream banks into
our estuaries. The resulting turbidity stresses the
seagrass community as sediments muddy the
. . . . . . . . . . . .water, block sunlight, and settle'on grass beds.

Help prevent soil erosion b addressing the
OWN-`
following.

Land adjacent to a home should slope away
from it. This prevents water from seeping through
the foundation.

Disperse rainwater from the roof of a house
with eave troughs and drain spouts. Install
Dutch drains (gravel-filled seepage pits) at the base of a
downspout to drain water into the soil for gradual infiltration.
Plant a dense ground cover in problem areas.

� Plant ground covers where soil is exposed and re-sod bare
patches in the yard.

� Mulch the exposed soil of heavily trafficked areas. Mulch
gardens, flower beds, and shaded areas with organic leavings
such as straw, grass clippings, leaves, pine needles, and melaleuca
wood chips.

� Cover exposed soil or small mounds ofdirt with a tarp. Contain
larger piles of dirt from landscaping and construction activities
with bales of hay, screening, or a filter cloth fence.

PERMEABLE. PAVEMENTS

Hard, paved surfaces force rainwater to run off at very fast rates.
Erosion, flooding, and stormwater pollution are recurring problems.

Help reduce surface runoff.

9 Limit the amount of paved surfaces around your home.

o Consider alternatives to slab concrete when planning or
replacing a driveway or walk. Pre-cast concrete lattice facilitates
soil stabilization and permeability allowing slow filtration of
rain.

* Consider the use of interlocking pavers. Water drains between
the stones and down through the ground as no binder is used.
Refer to Paving in the yellow pages of the telephone directory.

Permeable Alternatives:

porous asphalt
interlocking pavers
bricks and tiles
flat stones
wooden decks
crushed shells
bark chips

CONTOURING,TERRACING,AND
INFILTRA'nONDEVICES

Contouring, terracing, and infiltration devices shouldbe considered
in areas where stormwater runoff is a problem. Rainwater that is
captured, spread, and allowed to infiltrate the soil slowly loses its
erosive force. It is important to watch where runoff is directed to
be sure that it does not become a neighbor's problem.

Control stormwater runoff and reduce erosion:

Use a swale and berm system to slow down runoff or move
excess water from one area to another. Swales are low
depressions that collect water. Berms are ridges bordering the
swales; which direct water into and through them.

Channel rainwater across the natural contours of a slope
instead'of down. The soil can absorb more water and
susceptibility to drought is decreased.

� A subsurface drainage system may be the answer to extreme
drainage problems that cannot be corrected by using a swale
and berm system or contouring.

� Use a series of terraces to promote gradual absorption over a
wider area by distributing runoff in a fan pattern across
terrain.

� Consider installing a gravel-lined detention basin to hold
runoff. Soil filtration is gradual. Be aware of limiting conditions
which can lead to saturation, poor drainage, and standing
surface water including compacted soil, clay hardpan, a short
depth (1 to 2 feet) to bedrock, or a seasonally high water table.

GARDENING

Gardening in southwest Florida can be something of a challenge.
Having to deal with sterile sandy soils, nematodes, and wilting heat
can lead to overfertilization, reliance on pesticides, and overwatering.

Basics to follow for successfid gardening include:

9 Select an appropriate location for your garden. A good site
should receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight on a daily basis,
be located close to a source of water for irrigation purposes, and
have good natural drainage.

e Analyze the soil. Determine the soil pH, organic content, and
the texture which affects water absorption and drainage. The
pH of a soil influences the availability of nutrients to plants and
the activity of soil microorganisms. An ideal pH range in sandy
soil is between pH 5.5 and 6.3. If soil is too acidic, powdered
dolomitic limestone can be added to raise pH. If soil is too basic,
garden fertilizers containing essential micro-nutrients can be
used. If the soil has a naturally, high pH, grow plants that can
tolerate alkaline conditions.

9 Develop a garden plan based on the different growing seasons.
Spring is preferable for many vegetables. Southern species and
tropicals flourishing in damp heat continue a garden through
the summer. Vegetables that thrive in colder weather should be
planted in fall and winter.

9 Prepare soil thoroughly by adding topsoil, a soil mix, and
organic materials. Mulch, compost, grass cuttings, and other
organic matter should be mixed into the soil at least a month
before planting. Well-composted materials can be applied
when planting.

o Use mulch in gardening and for other landscaping needs.
Mulch, a layer of organic material applied to the soil surface,
protects plant roots from extremes of heat, cold, and drought.
Mulch retains soil moisture, discourages the growth of weeds,
slows erosion, and helps prevent soil compaction. Mulching
materials include vegetable trimmings, moldyfruit, grass cuttings,
wood chips, and a layer of newspaper minus the glossy inserts.

Control nematodes by raising the organic content of the soil.
Organic matter encourages a population of beneficial insects,
worms, bacteria and fungi which discourages nematodes. In
severe cases, pest populations can be reduced through soil
fumigation or soil solarization. In solarization, the garden lot is
prepared, raked over, and covered with a clear plastic sheet for
one month or more. Heat from the sun penetrates the earth and
destroys the nematodes.

HOW TO

Home Composing
Composits organicfertilizer manufactured by mixing organic materials
such as kitchen scraps (no meats, bones, dairy products, or fats) and
non-woody yard wastes with topsoil, manure, fish scrapts, and
biodegradable paper. Benefits are a continual source of oranic
materials for mulch and recycling as an alternative to landfill disposal.
Composing can be as simple as building a heap ( 3 x 3 x 3 feet
minimally) in a corner of the yard or more complex using a series of
turning units or a barrel composter which tumbles the waste for
aeration. Compositing can be speeded up by shredding wastes, achieving
a good carbon to nitrogen ratio through mixing wastes high in carbon
(paper, straw, leaves, woodchips, saw dust) with wastes high in nitrogen
(food scraps, grass cuttings, manure), providing adequate moisture
(damp sponge consistency), and adequate aeration (sufficient air
passage) throughout the pile. Turning on a weekly basis can prevent
the pile from being smothered so that bad odors don't develop.

FERULIZERS

Serious water problems result from application of synthetic fertilizers
to lawns, gardens, and agricultural fields. Approximately two million
tons of fertilizers are applied in Florida every year! Plants can only
use a certain percentage of what is applied leaving excess fertilizer
tobewashed awayby storinwater runoff into areawaters. Fertilizers
containing nitrogen and phosphorus end up feeding our streams
and estuaries as well as our lawns and gardens. A creek, canal, or
pond enriched by nutrient pollution can be suffocated by excessive
growth of vegetation and dense blooms of algae. The rapid
ushrooming of vegetation disrupts the balance of aquatic
communities and stresses fish and other aquatic organisms by
M

robbing them of vital oxygen, sometimes to the point of kills.

Fertilizer that is not washed off the surface of the yard or leached
from the soil during a hard rain, percolates downward into the
groundwater. Nitrate concentrations can build up, contaminate
drinking wells, and seriously threaten human health. Other
problems related to overfertilization include the accumulation of
inorganic chemical residues in the soil, the decline of humus
content and soil microorganisms, and soil deterioration.

Fertilize wisely:

� Feed the soil, not the plant; build your garden's soil. Know
what your soil requires before applying fertilizer. Monitorsoil
fertility by testing on a regular basis, and don't fertilize if it isn't
necessary.

� Use the minimal amount of fertilizer required. Overfertilization
can damage roots, cause excessive top growth, burn lawns, and
lead to water pollution problems.

� Read labels carefully. Select a fertilizer that has little or no
phosphorus and approximately 60% of the nitrogen in slow-
release water insoluble form. Be wary of words such as
"natural"and "organic". Some organic fertilizers have too high
a content of phosphorus for watershed nutrient control
standards.

0 Fertilize during the dry season, generally from October to May.

0 Avoid applying fertilizer on windy days, prior to a forecast of
heavy rains, or near paved surfaces. Sweep up spilled fertilizer
so it doesn't wash off in the next rain.

0 Never apply fertilizer within 50 feet of a waterbody.

0 Use fertilizer according to package instructions. Never use a
fertilizer formulated specifically for gardens on the lawn or vice
versa. Fertilizer is generally applied when the soil is moist.
Watering lightly helps it sink into the root zone.

PESUCIDES

The use of pesticides has created another set of environmental
problems. Home gardeners use more pesticides per square foot in
their gardens than farmers do in their fields! Pesticides are polluting
our streams, lakes, and aquatic ecosystems. Chlorinated
hydrocarbons and other chemicals are produced to resist breaking
down under normal conditions. After application they may be
leached from the soil through precipitation or carried off the
surface by runoff.

Chemicals formulated to kill specific organisms regarded as pests
have unintentionally killed or damaged other plant and animal
species. The insecticide DDT was commonly used throughout the
United States until the late 1960's. Now banned, DDT washed into
waterbodies and entered aquatic food chains. Bald eagles that
ingested contaminated fish were unable to nest successfully.

Insecticides used to control specific pest populations may end up
killing predatory spiders, insects, and other beneficial organisms
which could have controlled the pest population naturally. Other
problems resulting from widespread pesticide use include the
development of resistance to pesticides and resurgence by a pest
population, secondary pest outbreaks in which a non-target organism
becomes a pest, and accidental poisoning by swallowing, inhalation,
and absorption through the skin.

Although DDT and other dangerous pesticides (Chlordane,
Lindane, Dieldrin, etc.) have been banned or are under strict
regulation, information on pesticide toxicity is limited The
Environmental Protection Agency is responsible for the registration
of pesticides. Detailed examination of data on short-term and long-
term environmental impacts, health, and safety is a continuing
process. The availability of a product at your local hardware store
or garden center does not guarantee that it has undergone a
thorough evaluation.

Integrated Pest Management reduces pesticide use:

9 Buy disease and pest-resistant varieties of plants.

e Time planting with an awareness of insect life cycles. It is
possible to avoid specific pests and peak infestations. Keep
records of dates when problems occur for reference.

� Avoid monoculture gardening techniques. Spot planting or
growing a certain type of plant in several sections of the garden
can allay total destruction if pests move in.

� Use intercroppingor planting alternate rows ofcomplementary
plants. Planting herbs between vegetables will attract beneficial
insects that prey on pests. Examples are herbs belonging to the
mint family and some members of the carrot family.

� Use mixed or companion planting to discourage insect pests.
Some herbs and flowers can be used as borders to effectively
repel insect pests.

� Use rotation. Shifting the growing locations of vegetables
inhibits the stabilization of pest populations. Giving the land a
rest helps reduce fertilizer use, too. Divide the garden into
sections and leave one part fallow.

� Include perennial beds and mulched paths in your garden plan
as habitat for pest-eating critters. Allow annuals and perennials
to go to seed before pruning them to provide food and cover.

� Plant trees, shrubs, and groundcover of varying heights to
accommodate birds, lizards, toads, and other wildlife. Diversity
is apart of the stability of natural systems. A balanced ecosystem
will include natural enemies as a check on the explosion of pest
populations and the overexpansion of all species.

� Encourage the presence of beneficial insects by growing a
number ofinsect-attracting plants thatwill provide both nectar
and larval food. Dragonflies, ladybugs, and green lacewings are
helpful. Spiders are voracious predators. Caterpillars are
parasitized by some species of wasps. Have patience as there
will generallybe some lag time between the appearance of a pest
population and the point when natural enemies move in. Any
measures taken prior to their arrival should not kill off the
natural predators.

� Use physical barriers and mechanical. means to prevent and
control pests. Cover seedlings with a fine mesh cloth or wrap
aluminum foil around the plant base. Wes and aphids are
knocked off with a burst of water from the garden hose.
Homemade traps can be made by collecting leaves of the plant
to which the target insect is attracted. Flat wooden boards
placed on the ground next to plants can end a slug problem.

Care for your garden. A properly watered and fertilized garden
is less susceptible to disease or pest infestation. Keep the garden
and yard free of insect-attracting debris such as fallen fruits and
vegetables, old sacks, baskets, and other rubbish. Remove pots,
watering cans, and other containers which hold water as they
are breeding places for mosquitoes.

Inspect the garden at least twice a week for insect damage.
Examining seedlings and plants early each morning for potential
problems can prevent a major infestation. Remove egg clusters, HOW TO
larvae, and adult pests by hand. For assistance in identification
or control recommendations, take a specimen of the pest or
evidence of its damage to the Collier County Extension Service. Using "Safe" Pesticides
Natural insecticides derived from plants
can be used. Pyrethrum, derived from
Use biological controls WITH CAUTION. Bacillus thuringiensis the chrysanthemum, should only be
sprayed directly on the pest as it is non-
(BT) kills leaf-eating caterpillars by paralyzing the digestive discriminatory and will kill beneficial
insects as well as harmful species.
tract, but is not appropriate for use in areas where butterflies Quassia, derived from the bark of the
Picrasma quassidoes tree, is evvective
are attracted. Synthesized hormones can be used to alter the against sawfly, leaf miners, and soft-
bodied aphids and caterpillars. One of
the safest botanical insecticides, Quassia
growth, development, and reproduction of an insect. doesn't harm bees, ladybugs and other "good" insects. Other low-toxicity
Use chemical pesticides only as a last resort. Pesticides labeled pesticides include mild soap solutions
such as Ivory liquid. Insecticidal soap
has a potassium salt base which destroys
pest membranes. Soaps should be
applied directly on the insects and are
"CAUTION" are less toxic than those labeled "WARNING effective against aphids, mealy bugs
scale, white flies and red spider mites.
Homemade plant sprays such as table
which are less toxic than those labeled "DANGER". Safer salt spray, tomato leaf spray and other
recipes using a variety of ingredients
insecticidal soap and dormant oil sprays are less toxic than (onion, garlic, hot peppers, pungent
herbs) can all be tried. Effectiveness
will vary. Consult an orgnaic gardening
conventional synthetic pesticides. Choose synthetic pyrethroids reference for more information.
over organophosp hate- or carbamatc-based products.

Pyrethroids remain in the environment for a shorter time.
Treat all pesticides as potential poisons. Follow directions and

safety precautions. Refer to the Household Chemicals section

and the Household Hazardous Waste Chart for more

Apply pesticides in late afternoon or early evening to avoid

killing bees and other pollinators. Stop applications during
harvesting season.

Never apply pesticides near wells, streams, canals, marshes, or
other bodies of water unless the instructions specifically allow
for such use. Never apply pesticides on a windy day.

Never apply pesticides to bare ground or eroded areas. Many
pesticides bind to the soil and would wash into storm drains and
waterways along with sediments during a heavy rain.

Never hose down pesticide leaks or small spills. Cover the spill
with an absorbent material such as sand, sawdust, or kitty litter,
and sweep it into a sturdy bag. Double bag this and take it to a
hazardous waste collection center. Wash down the area (if a
hard- surfaced floor or driveway) with a solution of water and
bleach or a strong detergent.

Resource: Refer to Resources in the Appendix for more infor-
mation concerning native plants, lawn care, landscape manage-
ment, gardening, integrated pest management, and pesticide
spills. The Collier County Extension Service provides educa-
tional materials and offers advise and workshops. The South
Florida Water Management District has important educational
materials about xeriscape, water conservation through creative
landscaping.

OVATERFRONT
PROPERTY

Special responsibilities come along with the pleasures and
advantages of living on the water. Waterfront property owners A retired couple from up north
living along a bayfront, creek, or canal have access to these waters regularly canoe the creek behind
and the opportunity to protect and monitor them. Florida's their home and keep an eye out
economical well-being and ecological health are tied to fisheries, for pollution problems. The banks
wetlands, and estuaries. The loss of submerged lands to private are kept clear of debris and the
development and the construction of finger canals have resulted in waters are protected.
the destruction of estuarine habitats and the loss of aquatic life
along the Florida coast. Progressive siltation from these activities
contributes to the reduction of the rich biological productivity
associated with our estuaries.

Another source of sedimentation is shoreline erosion. The removal
of mangroves and other vegetation including salt tolerant grasses
contributes to increased erosion and the destabilization of the
shoreline. Red mangroves, with their
characteristic prop roots, help prevent natural
wave and tidal erosion along the shoreline. The
L
mangroves absorb and diffuse the impact of boat
wakes and act as abufferin the event of hurricanes
or tropical storms. Removal of the mangroves
breaks the food web at its base and interrupts the
natural cycling of detritus (decaying leaves and VI
other organic debris) into the estuary and offshore
waters. Detritus is an essential food source for
fish, shrimp, crabs, other invertebrates, and
plankton.

Natural shoreline vegetation, particularly the
red mangrove, has the ability to absorb nutrients
and pollutants found in stormwater runoff.
Excessive amounts of nutrients and pollutants
are prevented from entering the waterbody. With so many septic
systems and package sewer plants seeping into drainage ditches,
coliform bacteria counts in area waters can only increase as
vegetation is removed. Cutting vegetation to lower the height
causes a decline in filtering efficiency and nutrient absorptive
capacity.

Shoreline vegetation provides shade along waterfront banks and
acts as a water temperature regulator. Cooler waters have the
capacity to hold more oxygen, a factor critical to the survival of

aquatic plants and animals. Removing or trimin ing vegetation can
result in rising water temperatures and decreased amounts of
dissolved oxygen. Warmer water temperatures do not support the
diversity of fish that cooler temperatures do, and less desirable fish
become more abundant.

When mangroves and native shore grasses are replaced with a
hardened shoreline such as a seawall, the benefits of a once naturally
winding - shoreline are lost, shoreline length is shortened, and
stormwater runoff problems are greatly exacerbated.

Help preserpe natural shoreline and protect our estuaries:

0 Protect the natural slope and native shoreline vegetation.
Modification of shoreline structure through changing natural
contours and removing or cutting vegetation, can eliminate
benefits including productivity, water quality maintenance,
shoreline stabilization, flood controls, and feeding, breeding,
and nursery habitat for marine species and birds.

0 Revegetate areas with native plants. Take into consideration
the existing vegetation (find out what the original vegetation
was before removal or alteration), water depth fluctuations,
tidal activity, water salinity, shoreline slope, drainage
Waterfront properly characteristics and any other site specific factors. Refer to an
environmental consulting business that specializes in shoreline
.owners have the unique vegetation.
o Plant shoreline vegetation along a gentle slope from higher
opportunity to preserve ground seaward. Plantswillbe able to filter pollutants efficiently.
natural shoreline and o Use biodegradable paper, sisal nets, or a tarpaulin when
planting on a steep bank or eroded area. This prevents erosion
maintain native and helps stabilize the bank until vegetation covers and holds
the soil.
vegetation. o Regrade the shoreline landward of mean high water with a
gradual slope. Recommended slope measurement is between
six to three feet horizontal to one foot vertical. Variances may
be needed.

o Place a swale and berm system in areas where stormwater
runoff is a major problem. Swales should have gradually
sloping sides to be able to catch runoff. Pollutants can then filter
through the soil.

Create a percolation basin or pond to retain stormwater runoff.
Basins are appropriate in spaces with natural contours forcing
runoff to drain into one or two locations.

Use terracing to help control erosion and runoff problems on
waterfront property with steep backyards. A series of tiers with
the last tier meeting the water's edge could incorporate a Swale
and berm system, a ground covering that would not require
mowing or fertilizer, and native shoreline vegetation.

Use native plants in landscaping the backyard near the bank.
Plants should be suited to site specific drainage features. Non-
native species may require fertilizer or pesticides which damage
water quality and harm the ecosystem. HOW TO

Remove exotics (Australian pine, Brazilian pepper, and Taking A Stream Walk
Monitor the creek, canal, or waterbody
adjacent to the property. Walking,
melaleuca) and replace them with native vegetation. These canoeing, or boating along the waterway
species spread aggressively and become established along coastal behind your home on a regular basis
zones, canals, banks, and drainage ditches. They shade out, can alert you to any number of problems.
Look for erosion, stormwater runoff
and turbidity problems generated by
road and bridge construction. Are
displace, or exclude desirable native species which stabilize the turbidity screens in place and
functioning property or are the waters
near the worksite distrubed and muddy?
shoreline and are part of the estuarine food web. Get to know your waterway and keep
an eye out for algal blooms, fish kills
and discharge and sewage. Debris in
waterways can interfere with natural
Keep the adjacent waterway free of organic yard debris such as flow and block fish migration. Be aware
of areas along the stream where
dumping has occurred. Trash, derelict
vessels, and white goods such as old
grass clippings, shrubbery trimmings, and palm fronds. Debris washing machines and refrigerators
lodged in a creek bend or rotting at the end of a canal uses up should be removed. Mark the location dissolved oxygen in the process of decomposition, depriving fish
of potential problems on a map. Refer
and aquatic plants of needed oxygen. to Resources in the Appendix for a list
of government agencies that should be
Dock planning: Design the dock access ramp and the main notified in the event of finding a derelict
vessel, large obstructive trash, or oil
platform in accordance with Florida Department of Natural and other hazardous waste.

Resources regulations. Use the smallest possible area and a

plan which is environmentally sensitive. Consider sharing a

dock with your neighbor. Consider alternatives to building

docks.

Plant native vegetation seaward of a hardened shoreline or a

seawall. The soil must be at mean high tide or higher.

Consider the building and maintenance expenses as well as

environmental concerns before hardening a shoreline. Sloped

riprap is preferable to a seawall. Vertical seawalls are more

vulnerable to erosion, wave, and storm damage.

CAUTION: The toddler or young child who wanders off is far less
likely to drown in the shallows along a natural shoreline.
Mangrove prop roots and othervegetation give a child something
secure to grasp hold oE A vertical seawall is a steep drop and
a child would never be able to climb the slick concrete slab.

MANGROVES AND PERMITS

Mangroves are native trees of inherent value to Rookery Bay and
the Florida coast. Mangroves contribute to marine ecology in a
number of ways. They provide feeding, breeding, and nursery
habitat for a large assemblage of species, filter nutrients from
stormwater runoff draining uplands, maintain water quality, and
protect shorelines from erosion and flooding. Mangroves, along
with all trees and woody vegetation, areprotected in Collier County.
Violations of these regulations may result in fines and criminal
prosecution.

Red mangroves grow at the water's edge and are easily identified by
their characteristic, tangled prop roots. Black and white mangroves
are the two other local species. If you are uncertain whether or not
a tree is a mangrove, bring sample leaves to the Collier County
Extension Service, DER, or DNR. Mangroves should not be
pruned, cut, removed, or altered in any way unless a vegetation
removal permit has been obtained. This applies to freeze-damaged
mangroves, too. For more information concerning permit
applications, requirements, and fees, contact Collier County Project
Review Services. Upon obtaining a permit, notify an environmental
inspector in Compliance Services. A courtesy call helps to inform
field staff that the property owner is not in violation of mangrove
regulations.

Resource: For more information concerning projects requiring
variances, boat docks, and vegetation permits, refer to Resources in
the Appendix for a listing of government agencies, addresses, and
telephone numbers.

H-Dr,,"REATION

Florida's coasts offer a bountiful, seemingly infinite number of
wonderful recreational opportunities. Further inland, Florida has Well aware that plastic items and
a large number of rivers, lakes, and springs where visitors stop and other marine debris can harm or
enjoy recreational activities. Boating, fishing, swimming and diving kill marine mammals, the scout
are the activities that are most often thought of in connection with troop meets at the beach and
coastal ecosystems. People are out on the water in all manner of collects litter as part of an Adopt-
ways from large sailboats and cabin cruisers to the lone windsurfer A-Shore program.
or jet skier. Golf, along with so many other outdoor activities, is
available all year round. Windswept beaches of coastal strand and
barrier islands beckon us to take long walks at the water's edge.
These activitieswhich provide relaxation andbring so much pleasure
can adversely affect Florida's waters, when carelessly undertaken.

BOATING

There are one million registered boats in the state of Florida. This
number dramatically increases seasonally. A total of 15,140 boats
registered in Collier County between June 1, 1991 and May 31,
1992. Boating directly impacts the health of our waterways and
Rookery Bay. By understanding the potential negative impacts of
boating activities and observing precautions associated with boating,
boat owners can help, ensure the health of Rookery Bay and
preserve it for future generations.

Shoreline erosion, a major source of sediment, is a complicated
problem. Erosion and deposition are naturally
occurring geological processes, continuing over
time to reshape topographical features of the
earth. A river channel changes, a beach erodes,
and a new pass is cut through the mangroves.,
Boat wakes amplify the problem of shoreline
erosion. Erosion is a particular problem in narrow
creeks, canals, the Intracoastal Waterway, and
inlets where wakes wash heavily against the banks.
The extent of shoreline erosion caused by a

...........
boat's wake depends on the energy of the wave,
which in turn, is related to the hull size, boat
speed, the distance from shore, and the depth of
the water the boat is operating in.

Rookery Bay, like many of Florida's estuaries,
harbors and bays, is shallow. Eroded sediments

may cause further shallowing or create an unwanted shoal. In
addition to narrow erosion-prone areas, seagrass beds are subject
to sedimentation. Highly productive seagrasses grow in shallow
depthswhere they receive adequate fight. Seagrasses are particularly
sensitive to turbidity. When there is increased turbidity, sunlight is
cut off to the grass beds, seagrasses die off, and algae become more
abundant, creating more problems for estuarine and marine
ecosystems.

The other major problem associated with boats has to do with the
release of chemical pollutants into area waters. Fuel, cleaning
agents, and chemicals used in boat maintenance are toxic and
contribute to the degradation ofbay waters. Cleaners contain acids,
alkalies, and petroleum distillates. . Paints, paint removers, lacquer
thinners, and solvents contain substances such as chlorinated
hydrocarbons, ketones, toluene, and xylene, which are not only
toxic to aquatic life, but present health risks to humans as well.
Fuels and chemicals used in the operation, cleaning, and
maintenance of a boat should be used with extreme care.

BoAT OPERAMN

� Observe posted speeds and NO WAKE signs. Narrow areas
should be navigated at low idle. Along with being a safe boater
Reduce the impact of and helping to minimize shoreline erosion, you may also prevent
a manatee tragedy. Be aware of manatees.
your boat's wake on e Operate your boat inappropriate waterdepths. Leaveadequate
shoreline erosion. Slow clearance (at least 12 inches) between the boat propeller and
the submerged bottom. Avoid shallow areas to keep from
churning up the bottom. The turbulence caused by a propeller
down before, rather exceeds beyond the depth of the motor's lower unit, causing
than after, the speed damage to benthic or bottom-dwelling communities.
� Avoid cutting through seagrass beds. Become familiar with
limit marker. areas where seagrass beds are abundant. If you inadvertently
enter a shallow seagrass area, follow these steps: cut your
engine and back out of the vegetation with a pole or paddle.
Seagrass beds are vital to the health of the estuary. They suffer
extreme damage from propeller scarring and take years to
recover.

� When fueling the boat, avoid spilling Mel or overfliling the gas
tanks. Learn to estimate fuel consumption relative to your
boat's tank capacity. Tighten the cap and clean up any spilled
fuel. Fuel overflow is dangerous to people as well as aquatic life.

Bilge water should be discharged offshore in deeper waters
when possible. Fuel, oils, and chemicals that are spilled in a boat
are discharged with the bilge water. It is important to keep your
boat clean and free of spills.

BoAT MMNTENANCE

Maintain your boat engine to avoid any oil leaks. Many area
marinas recycle motor oil. If you change the oil in your boat,
bring used oil to a marina which provides a used oil drum for
recycling or to a hazardous waste collection center. Never
dump oil into a waterbody, a storm drain, or roadside ditch.

Rinse and scrub your boat with a brush and water. When soap
is necessary, use one that is biodegradable and phosphate-free.
Cleaning your boat on a regular basis will help to avert the need
for stronger cleaning agents.

Avoid products with "WARNING" or "DANGER" on the labels;
they can kill marine life ifwashed overboard. Always select the
least toxic product available.

Limit the use of cleaning, dissolving, and painting agents in
maintenance; they are toxic to aquatic life. When working on
your boat during the annual haul, be conscious of the materials
used and the toxicity of each. Take care in following the
manufacturer's directions. Hazardous wastes and their
containers should be taken to a hazardous waste collection site.
Refer to the Appendix for more information.

When scraping or sanding the bottom of a boat, place a drop
cloth underneath for safe disposal of the scrapings. Anti-
fouling boat paints containing copper or tin inhibit the growth
of barnacles and are extremely toxic. Use of tributyltin (TBT)
bottom paint is now restricted by federal legislation.

Thoroughly clean the boat's hull, propeller, and trailer after
using the boat in other waters. Never discharge bilge or ballast
water from foreign waters into Florida harbors or marinas.
Boats have been responsible for the accidental introduction of
exotic aquaticplants and animals into U.S. waters, causing stress
and damage to native species and changing the ecosystem.

Consider dry storage. Benefits include lower maintenance
costs and reduced environmental impacts.

AIR&ATs, PWC's, ANDATVs

The operation and maintenance of air boats and personal water
crafts have some of the potential negative impacts associated with
boating. Because of special features or compact size, air boats and
PWC's have access to areas that naturally restrict most boats. Many
Recreational crafts and vehicles of these areas are environmentally sensitive. As an air boat skims
should avoid environmentally over the water's surface, the weight of the boat pushes down,
producing a pressure wake. In shallow waters air boats leave a trail,
sensitive areas: pressing down vegetation, disturbing bottom sediments, and
damaging bottom- dwelling organisms. Personal water crafts run
shallow waters on an impeller system which has the potential to create turbidity in
bird rookeries shallow waters, and they use a gas/oil fuel mixture.
mangrove islands All-terrain vehicles provide outdoor experiences for some
erosion-prone areas individuals, but if driven indiscriminately, they can damage the
environment. All-terrain vehicles can traverse any number of
'habitats including fresh and saltwater marshes, pine flatwoods,
scrub, and cypress swamp. Over a period of time vegetation is killed,
areas are left bare and subject to erosion, and a set of tracks
becomes an unwanted road. Tearing up areas of land can alter the
natural flow of rainwater runoff and drainage patterns. All-terrain
vehicles can be very disruptive to wildlife, especially those creatures
which are buried in the mud at the sediment-water interface or the
top layers of the soil.

Air boat and PWC operators should obserpe thefollowing
boating precautions:

� Observe posted speeds and NO WAKE signs.

� Avoid cutting through seagrass beds.

� Avoid spilling fuel and clean up any spills immediately.

� Clean the air boat or PWC with a brush, sponge, water and a
biodegradable, phosphate-free soap.

All-terrain Pehicle operators can help protect water quality
and natipe plant and animal communities asfollows:

� Avoid environmentally sensitive areas including marshes,
cypress swamps, and scrub.

� Operate all-terrain vehicles atmoto-cross parks, cross-country
courses, and other areas reserved for all-terrain vehicles.

MARINEDUMPINGAND
DEBRIS

Dumping untreated sewage into coastal waters .. . . . . . . ..... ... .
may contaminate shellfish. Severe
@Mn, dWe""iR
gastrointestinal illness or infectious hepatitis can
develop in the unlucky individual who consumes
y
contaminated shellfish. Human wastes also
contain the nutrients which contribute to algal
blooms and oxygen depletion in shallow, inshore
waters.

Marine debris will not disintegrate, has the
"'Fill
potential to harm aquatic life, and has the
potential to damage boat engines by clogging
intake valves and ports and becoming tangled around propellers.
Plastic bags are mistakenly ingested by sea turtles as jelly fish, a
commonfooditem. Monofilament fishing lines and six-pack plastic
rings can entrap pelicans and other seabirds, and ultimately strangle
or starve the birds. Whales, dolphins, and other marine mammals
are at risk through ingestion or entanglement of plastic refuse.

Help protect Rookery Bay, offshore waters, and nwrine life:

0 Regarding sewage disposal, use onshore sanitary facilities
whenever possible. Eliminate marine

9 Use marina pump-out stations to empty your boat's marine dumping and debris:
sanitation devices or holding tanks. The U.S. Coast Guard
requires the use of sanitizing gear or an onboard holding tank
within three miles of shore. sewage discharge
e Marine sanitation devices use chlorine and disinfectants.
Chlorine degrades water quality and negatively impacts aquatic plastics
life. Discharge of treated waste is strongly discouraged and
should occur palywhen necessary and in offshore waters deeper monofilament line
than 20 feet, where tidal movement will disperse waste.
o Designate an area where trash can be stored on board the boat. old nets and hooks

e Secure any loose items so they do not blow overboard when the
boat is in operation.

o Never throw anything (cans, plastic objects, leftover food, etc.)
overboard.

� Know the procedu res for the safe removal of fish hooks,
monofilament line, and other fishing apparatus. Know the
procedures for rescuing injured birds.

� Follow appropriate "catch and release" practices when fishing.

Resource: Refer to Resources in the Appendix for the agency or
organization to contact concerning boating and fishing violations,
injured manatees, or for assistance in dealing with an injured bird
or animal.

BEACH OUTINGS9 PICNICS, CAMPING,
AND COMMUNiTYEVENTS

Trash is the most visible kind of pollution we encounter at the
beach, in our parks, forests, wildlife sanctuaries, and on roadsides.
Large public events drawing crowds of people create potential litter
problems unless trash disposal facilities are easily accessible and
arrangements for collection and removal are well-orchestrated. Trash is easily removed
Balloons, often sold or given away at fairs, festivals, grand openings, and even more easily
and other large community events can be fatal to wildlife. Balloon
releases are now unlawful in the state of Florida. Balloons are prevented.
commonly made from latex or Mylar plastic. Keep in mind they can
quickly turn into a form of plastic litter and are capable of killing or
debilitating sea turtles, seabirds, migratory waterfowl, and marine
mammals.

Help keep public recreational areas clean:

* Carry a bag to remove any trash at the end ofan outing. Involve
all family members in trash collection. Allowing the kids to
participate will help instill responsibility in young children.

e Use public restroom facilities. Do not allow children or pets to
urinate in the water or defecate on the beach.

* Encourage your municipality or county to provide clean,
adequate restroom facilities and maintain them. These public
areas should also have an adequate number of readily accessible
garbage cans.

Recover lost or downed kites. Mte flying is a popular beach
activity. Lost kites may drift offshore. If not recovered, kites
and other plastic items pose a serious hazard to sea turtles, birds,
and marine mammals.

Be responsible for food and drink containers, balloons, and
other items acquired at fairs and other public events.

Participate in Beach Clean-Ups and Adopt-A-Shore programs.
Beach Clean-Ups are a treasure hunt turningup some fascinating
items as well as trash. Participants enjoy the community spirit
and the satisfaction of a job well done at the end of the day. The
local Adopt-A-Shore is run through The Conservancy, Inc. and
is apart of the state's "Keep Florida Beautiful" program. Refer
to the Appendix for more information.

GoLF

Naples is known for its many beautiful golf courses. Pesticides and
fertilizers are used in the care and maintenance of golf courses.
Pesticide is a general term and includes insecticides used to control
insects such as fire ants and mole crickets,
herbicides to keep the course free of weeds and
aquatic weeds that would proliferate in ponds
and water traps, and fungicides to control fungi.
The potential problems related to pesticide usage
at golf courses are compounded by pesticide use
at nearby tomato farms, throughout the canal
system, and areas under mosquito control
. . . . . . . . . . . .
Agriculture relies on the use of pesticides.
Florida's citrus groves, tomato fields, and spring
and fall vegetable crops use another group of
pesticides
The herbicides Garlon 3-A, Aquathol-
K, and Glyphosate are used to control aquatic
vegetation as part of canal maintenance, and
Baytex and Malathion are used in mosquito
control. Pesticides often contain toxic organic or
inorganic chemical compounds. Depending on
their purpose, pesticides may be specifically formulated to resist
natural decomposition processes, or they may be formulated to
break down quickly.

There is considerable controversy surrounding the use of pesticides
and a continuing debate over potential health risks. Both the short-
term and long-term effects of pesticide use and exposure with
respect to the health of humans and the health of ecosystems need
Environmentally to be addressed. Five to ten years ago, it was a routine practice to
station the rental equipment used for pesticide application at a golf
compatible course maintenance facility. The result of locating the equipment
in the same spot year after year resulted in pesticide accumulation
maintenance of local and groundwater contamination.
After application, pesticides may leave residues of poisonous active
golf courses can help ingredients, inert ingredients, additives, or impurities. As chemicals
protect Rookery Bay decompose, a substance may be broken down into a different
compound, one that may be more or less toxic than the original
pesticide. A residual constituent may be harmless in and of itself,
and area waters. but in reaction with another substance forms something even more
t oxi c.

Pesticides targeting and controlling one pest, may have devastating
effects on another non-target group of organisms as an unwanted
side effect. Even for those pesticides which are relatively weak, the

cumulative effect building over ten, twenty, or fifty years, may have
serious consequences for the quality of area waters as well as certain
species. The factor of the unknown will always be a risk and can no
longer be ignored.

South Florida's weather patterns of hard spring and summer rains
coming after a long dry season, send a huge pulse of pesticides,
fertilizers, oils, greases, heavy metals, and other pollutants into
creeks, canals, and estuarine waters. Stormwater runoff channels
into drainage ditches. Low areas that were bone dry are turned into
wetlands overnight. Wading birds forage in these temporary,
seasonal wetlands, and their food -chain may be affected
detrimentally. In areas where storrawater runoff and other sources
of extra nutrients such as sewage effluence exist, nematode parasites
can proliferate and infect fish populations. Although adult wading
birds can tolerate some parasites, feeding infected fish to their
young may cause some of the nestlings to die as a result of organ
damage or secondary infections caused by the nematodes.

Avid golfers help protect area waters and wading birds by
taking an active interest in the management of local
courses:

� Encourage the use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), as
an alternative to the complete reliance on pesticides. IPM
monitors pest problems, takes into consideration environmental
factors, and uses synthetic pesticides only as needed.

� Encourage the minimal use of pesticides, herbicides,
insecticides, and fertilizers where older pest control practices
are still being used.

� Encourage the use ofan "all-natural fertilizer mix". Bone meal,
feather meal, wheat germ, soya, muriate of potash, enzymes,
and soil microorganisms are some of the ingredients found in a
natural fertilizer. Natural fertilizers help to reduce the number
of applications, may prolong the length of time the course
remains green, and work to increase the soil's ability to hold
water.

9 Encourage the use of a no-phosphorus fertilizer or a low-
phosphorus formula fertilizer, if phosphorus must be applied.
Example: a 12-4-8 formula indicates 12% nitrogen, 4%
phosphorus, and 8% potash by weight.

� Encourage the use ofa fertilizer that releases slowly despite the
presence of water. A high percentage of the nitrogen (at least
,n
60%) should be in the form of Water Insoluble Nitroge
(WIN). Slow-release fertilizers benefit the golf course and
downstream bodies of water. The greens receive a steady input
of nitrogen. Slow-release fertilizer washing into area waters will
not be immediately available to the plant life, thus preventing
algal blooms and uncontrolled aquatic weed growth.

� Encourage the periodic testing for pesticide contamination in
golf course waterbodies, adjacent creeks, and groundwater.

Pesticides used at local golf

courses:

MSMA 6.6
Illoxan
2,4-D Amine
Amdro
Dursban
Manzeb
Acephate
Ansar 6.6
Kerb 50-W
Baygon
Proxal
Direne
Pre-M
Sencor 75
Glyphosate
Oftanol 2,
Sevin

120MMUNITY

A community can mobilize for water pollution prevention, clean-
ups, environmental planning, and growth management. Although A businessman works on
they may not be fully aware of it, ordinary citizens do have the power implementing a recycling
to exert influence and bring about change. Our consumer decisions program in his condominium. He
have considerable leverage. We can make a significant impact by belongs to a local conservation
reducing our demand forwaterand electricity, petroleum products, organization and keeps abreast
paper, wood, metal products, and land. It naturally follows that we of community environmental
can also reduce the amount of toxic, non-biodegradable wastes issues.
which we produce and discard and in the process create serious
water pollution problems that are injurious to all life.... humans
included.

We need to ask ourselves if we really need a particular product and
weigh the benefits vs. the potentially harmful
effects. Using environmentally friendly products
and changing the timing of activities in order to
minimize environmental impacts can make a
difference. We have seen from the preceding
chapters that what each of us does individually
has an enormous impact when taken collectively.
By developing an awareness of our everyday M P.
actions, seriously examining those actions, and
practicing new non- polluting, water-conserving
habits we can protect and preserve Rookery
Bay, the watershed, adjacent lands, and our
2:M @@M
aquifers, waterways, estuaries, and natural
resources in general. Working together, we can
all move towards a more sustainable Florida.

Actions we can take to become an "environmentally wise
community:

Vote. Elect officials who support environmental protection.
Attend community election forums and town hall meetings
where candidates discuss theirviews and find outhow they stand
on local, regional, state, national, and global environmental
issues. Monitor a candidate's voting record and compile voting
charts on officials running for re-election to help inform the
general public. Request first-time candidates, who are without
a voting record, to complete an environmental survey.

Make your views known to elected officials. Letter writing to
local, state, and federal officials and to environmental regulatory
agencies, is one of the simplest and most effective ways to

influence public policy. The best time to call or write is when
decisions are being made. Write legislators before a vote on a
bill. Write environmental agencies when a regulation has been
proposed. Follow the news to keep track of legislation. Field
offices of state agencies can also provide information.

9 Garner support bywriting abrief, concise letter to the newspaper
editor. Suggest actions that others can take to assist your cause,
Elected officials and decision-makers scan the letters-to-the-
editor section to follow public opinion on current issues.
Help spread the word. e Become knowledgeable and involved with local comprehensive
Share this book with planning. Obtain a copy of the county comprehensive land use
plan, local zoning ordinances, and natural resources inventory.
friends and neighbors. Attendance at planning meetings can help you assess what is
happening within the community and public presence can be
Working together to influential. Collier County Planning Commission Meetings are
held the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month at 8:30 a.m. in the
prevent water pollution Board of Commissioners meeting room on the third floor of
Building F of the Collier County government complex. The
agenda for each meeting can be picked up at the Collier County
makes far more sense Community Development Services building, on the Friday
than cleaning up before the following Thursday meeting.
0 Attend city council and county commission meetings. Let
pollution. officials know that you are concerned as an individual or as a
member of an organization (homeowner's association,
conservation group, etc.). Become involved andworkto influence
decisions. Tackle an issue, become informed on the specifics,
challenge the experts, wage a publicity campaign, and submit
'best management practice" strategies as solutions to water
quality problems.

o Joinan organization. 'Thinkglobafly--Act Locally" andbecome
active in the local chapters of The Audubon Society, Sierra
Club, The Nature Conservancy, the Naples Chapter of the
Florida Native Plant Society, area sea turtle monitoring
programs, The Friends of Rookery Bay, Inc., The Conservancy,
Inc., or local land trust organizations. Even if you don't have
time to participate, membership dues are well-used and
newsletters keep you informed.

o Networking with affiliated groups on a statewide basis can
provide valuable information and may yield solutions to similar
problems.

o Join orform a water association addressingwater conservation,
pollution problems, and watershed and wetlands protection.

Find strength in numbers. Form alliances with groups and
agencies sharing common concerns. A coalition of
environmental groups, civic associations, and service
organizations has more influence than one single group. Take
your group's concerns to other professional, academic, and civic
organizations, too.

Involve civic associations, service organizations, churches,
scout troops, and other community groups in water quality and
natural resource protection. Arrange speaker/slide
presentations, panel discussions with local officials, and half-
day workshops on wetlands, estuaries, and water quality issues.
Track down speakers from area colleges, retired scientists, staff
from state field offices and board members of environmental
organizations.

o Learn first-hand about water quality problems and issues.
Arrange for tours of sewage treatment plants, landfills, large
agricultural operations, local creeks, and other areas of special
concern. Invite local government officials to attend and initiate
discussions on improving water quality. Propose constructive
measures to solve pollution problems and protect estuaries.

o Deal with speciflc issues. Concentrate on one particular problem
in the community. Avoid tackling many different problems and
diluting resources and volunteer manpower. Local
environmental groups should use scientists, physicians,
engineers, attorneys- teachers, and technicians from within the
community to set environmental priorities and help with
community actions.

o Develop educational water quality projects in which students
can participate. Creating and monitoring wetland habitats or
planting vegetation at restoration sites are examples. Parents
and teachers can encourage water quality projects in school
science fairs, 4-H fairs, and other area events where
environmental displays would be welcome. Agencies and
organizations have many fine educational materials available.

o Inform your state and federal government representatives
about important community projects to protect and preserve
our water resources, Rookery Bay, the watershed, and coastal
waters.

0 Request local TV and media coverage ofwater quality projects,
community events, and environmental programs to promote
greater public awareness. Thank them when they cover these
issues.

� Use press releases to local newspapers, posters on public
bulletin boards, library boards, and announcements in local
calendar listings and organization newsletters to publicize
events.

� Start a citizen volunteer monitoring program. Scientific water
quality monitoring involves volunteers collecting and analyzing
water samples from designated sites. They can document
pollution problems (nitrate levels), identify pollution sources,
raise public awareness of water quality issues, and educate the
public about preventing and reducing water pollution.

� Organize a stream clean-up and other water quality projects in
which all members of the community can participate. Walk,
canoe, or boat local creeks, canals, and designated areas of
Rookery Bay to remove trash and check for specific problems
including erosion, algal blooms, fish kills, sewage discharge,
stormwater runoff, and highway and construction debris.
Participate in Beach Clean-Ups, Adopt-A-Road programs,
Estuary Day, and other local environmental activities and events.
The Conservancy, Inc. organizes "Adopt-A-Shore" in Naples.

HOW TO

Effective Letter Writing
Follow Congressman Morris K Udall's suggestions (adaptedfrom The
Right to Write) for effective letter-writing:

Address it properly.

Identify the bill or issue by number or popular name.

The letter should be timely. Mail so the letter arriveswhile there is still
time for officials to take action.

Focus on your representatives.

Be reasonably brief and concise.

Ask for a response, don't hesitate to ask questions, and request
clarification to an equivocal response.

Write your own views. A personal letter incorporating your own
experiences and observations is far more effective than a form letter or
petition.

Give your reasons for taking a stand. Your legislators may not know
all the effects of thebill andwhat it may mean to an important segment
of their constituency-

Show understanding. Indicate an awareness of the proposed bill or
ordinance and its potential impacts within your community.

Be constructive and offer alternative solutions.

Ask for specific actions to be taken such as co-sponsoring a bill or
supporting an amendment.

Share expert knowledge with your representatives. Well-rese-arched
information is appreciated.

Use a personal or business letterhead with a complete return address.

Say'Vell Done"when it is deserved. Remembertothankrepresentatives
for their efforts. Expressing disagreement politely may help on a
related issue later.

Some don'ts include: Making threats or promises, berating your
representatives, pretending to wield vast political influence, and
writing on every single issue. J

Are You Up To The Challenge?

Along with the opportunity to make a significant difference comes
the responsibility of making our homes, yards, neighborhoods,
workplaces, and the greater Rookery Bay community
environmentally wise and environmentally responsible. Everything
we do from the way we clean our homes to how we care for our lawns
to how we maintain our automobiles can substantially add to or
lessen the amount of pollution reaching our surface and ground
waters. As long as there is a Florida, our communities are going to
continue to grow. We cannot wait for the "next generation" to solve
environmental problems, clean up the pollution which we all create,
and improve the quality of life.

Aside from holding government and industry accountable for the
health of our environment, we must begin to hold ourselves
responsible, too. Becoming involved can help our community to
more effectively manage water pollution and other environmental
problems. Encouraging environmental awareness among friends
and neighbors involves talking to people: the neighbor who hoses
down the driveway, your friend with the drainage problem in the
front yard, and the new family that moved in across the canal and is
planning to put in a dock. Teachers, scout troops, and church youth
groups looking for a worthwhile community project can benefit
from this book as well as homeowner, neighborhood, and civic
associations. And most importantly YOU can make a difference.

Following even one or two of the suggestions can make a difference
in your home, community, and ultimately the waters of Rookery
Bay. In most instances, the greatest requirement of taking the steps
outlined in this book is making a conscious decision to change.
Some.steps require very little effort and considerably less cost, as in
making our own cleaning products. Others may have to be
implemented over time and at greater cost, as in the case of
waterfront property owners restoring a natural shoreline. Most of
the actions will make very little difference in the ways we conduct
our lives, involving only minor inconvenience, if any, and will
simplify our lives in the long run. These actions, however, will have
a resounding impact in our corner of the world .... Rookery Bay, one
part of the great heritage of Florida waters. The greatest tragedy
would be to do nothing as a result of thinking that our actions don't
count. Each person who does something individually becomes a
part of a larger collective effort, which can have a walloping effect
when everyone participates! We are counting on your help. Are
you up to the challenge?

APPENDICES

NATURAL ALTERNATIVES TO COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS

Oven Cleaner

Avoid the use of harsh chemicals by wiping away grease and spills after use. For spills, let oven cool slightly,
sprinkle salt on the spill, wait a few minutes and wipe area clean with a wet cloth. For scouring the oven, use
baking soda (do not let baking soda touch wires or heating elements) and a damp sponge. Scour racks and
burner inserts with steel wool.

Drain Cleaner

For clogged drains, try a plunger first. Dissolve 4 ounces baking soda and 8 oz. vinegar in a small amount of
boiling water. Pour down drain and wait for fizzing to stop. Flush with tap water.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Sprinkle baking soda around the bowl followed by vinegar. Scrub with a toilet brush. Vinegar is a mild acid
and should remove hard water scale.

Abrasive Powder Cleanser

Sprinkle any of the following on the surface to be cleaned: baking soda, borax, or dry table salt and scour
with a damp sponge. Rinse thoroughly with water to remove grit.

Basin, Tub, and Tile.Cleaner

Cut a lemon in half and dip it in borax. Rub surfaces with lemon and rinse.

Ceramic Tile Cleaner

Mix 1/4 cup vinegar in I gallon of water. Scrub with a brush.

Mildew Remover

Dissolve 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/2 cup borax in warm water. Apply to tiles and grout with a sponge or brush.
Wipe and rinse clean.

Glass and Window Cleaner

Wipe away surface dirt with a paper towel or soft cloth. Window Cleaner 1: Mix a solution of 2 tablespoons
vinegar to 1 quart water. Apply with a wad of newspaper. Window Cleaner 2: Mix 3 T ammonia, 1 T vinegar,
3/4 cup water in a spray bottle. Wipe down with a squeegee to prevent streaking. Avoid spilling cleaner on
painted or varnished woodwork. Window Cleaner 3: Mix 1/2 cup cornstarch in 2 qts. warm water and apply
with a sponge. Wipe windows dry with a soft cloth.

Dishwasher Soap

Mix 1 part borax and 1 part washing soda. Depending on how hard the water is, adjust proportions to avoid
soap film on dishes.

Furniture Polish

Furniture Polish 1: Mix 1 part lemon juice with 2 parts olive or vegetable oil. Furniture Polish 2: Mix 2
teaspoons lemon oil and 1 pint mineral oil in a spray bottle. Furniture Polish 3: Mix equal portions of
denatured alcohol, fresh strained lemon juice, boiled linseed oil, and gum turpentine in a labeled jar. Shake
before each use.

Liquid Floor Polish

Melt 1/4 cup paraffin in a double boiler. Stir in 2 qts. mineral oil. Transfer to labeled containers.

Silver Polish

Clean silver items with toothpaste, mild dishwashing liquid, and warm water using an old toothbrush on
tarnished areas. Silverbrite Silverclean is a self-acting cleaning plate and cleans gold, silver-, bronze, brass,
copper, and jewelry.

Brass and Copper Cleaner

Combine 1 pint of soap jelly, 1 cup whiting, and 1 teaspoon ammonia into a paste and beat together before
soap jelly congeals. Rub the paste on metal articles. Wash them in hot sudsy water, rinse, and dry with a soft
towel. To make soap jelly: dissolve 1 cup of soap shavings or soap flakes in 1 qt. of boiling water. Afterthe
soap is entirely melted, pour it into ajar with a wide mouth and place it in a cool place until the mixture jells.
Copper can be cleaned by rubbing a mixture of salt dissolved in hot vinegar. Rinse and wipe with a clean rag.

Aluminum Cleaner

Scour with soap jelly and whiting using fine steel wool. Brighten discolored pans by boiling in a solution of
1 T vinegar and 1 qt. water.

All-Purpose Cleaner

General Cleaner 1: Mix 1 T baking soda, 1/4 cup vinegar, 1/4 cup ammonia and 1 gallon hot water. General
Cleaner 2: Dissolve 1/2 cup borax in 1 gallon warm water. General Cleaner 3: Mix 1/2 cup ammonia, 1/2
cup baking soda, and 1 gallon warm water into a bucket. After cleaning, rinse with clean water. Unused
cleaner can be stored in a labeled bottle or jar. Other general cleaners include: # 1 vinegar, salt, and water,
2 vinegar in water, # 3 baking soda and water, and # 4 soap pads.

Ant and Roach Sprays

Roaches: Mix 16 oz. boric acid, 1 cup flour, 1/4 cup sugar and pieces of finely chopped onion. Add water a
little at a time to make a soft dough. Shape into small balls and place these where roaches travel and hide.
Ants: Mix I egg white, 2 T sugar, 1 T boric acid, and 1/2 cup water together until boric acid is dissolved. Spoon
into jar lids and set lids in areas where ants appear and travel. Refill the lids when solution dries out. Allow
three to four weeks for poison to take effect. Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Moth Balls

Place cedar blocks, lavender sachets and other dried herbs in closets and drawers.

Note: The common alternatives including baking soda, washing soda, borax, boric acid, and ammonia
can be purchased at supermarkets and pharmacies. Linseed oil, turpentine, and whiting can be
purchased at hardware and/or paint stores.

Septic Tank

Nil

Drainfield

Oil

HOW A SEPTIC TANK SYSTEM WORKS

By understanding how a properly functioning septic system works and treating it with the same importance
as any other major household utility, homeowners can avoid septic system failure, unnecessary expenses,
health risks, and surface and ground waters contamination. A septic system is a sewage treatment and
disposal facility. Home septic systems consist of two basic parts: 1) a septic tank for the treatment of
wastewater, and 2) a soil absorption system for the disposal of wastewater. The tank, which is generally
prefabricated from concrete or fiberglass, receives wastewater from the home through an underground pipe.
Baffles regulate the flow of incoming wastewater and prevent sewage from flowing directly through the tank
and out into the soil absorption field.

Heavier solids including feces, soil, and food particles settle on the bottom of the tank and form a layer of
sludge. Lighter materials such as grease, foam, and paper products float on the surface of the wastewater
which fills the tank, and form a layer of scum. Anaerobic bacteria within the tank break down some of the
heavier organic solids into smaller particles and liquefy other waste products. The scum layer is also worked
on by bacteria. Between the bottom layer of sludge and the top layer of scum is a body of cloudy wastewater
with many dissolved substances and minute particles. The wastewater remains in the tank and is conditioned
over a period of time. When additional wastewater enters the septic tank from the house, the partially
treated wastewater or effluent flows out of the tank and into the soil absorption system.

The soil absorption system or drainfield consists of a distribution box, a series of perforated pipes buried over
gravel-filled parallel trenches, and a large area of soil. Effluent leaves the tank through an outlet pipe and
travels to the distribution box, dividing the flow between the lines of pipe. Older homes may have systems
made of drain tile or cement blocks. Wastewater seeps out of holes in the pipes or through tile seams, filters
down through the coarse gravel layer, and into the soil. Soil texture and soil permeability are critical factors
in the operation of a septic system.

Treatment of wastewater is accomplished as it percolates through the soil. If wastewater drains too quickly
as through a coarse sand, the soil does not have sufficient time to filter out harmful materials. Soils unable
to absorb wastewater, such as fine silt, clay, or compacted fill, are not suitable for a drainfield. Wastewater
entering the drainfield in one of these soils may fill the trench with effluent and eventually rise to the ground
surface or back up into the house. The wastewater may quickly drain out through cracks in compacted soils,
without the benefit of soil treatment. The soil acts as a natural filter and removes very small particles, disease-
causing microorganisms, organic materials, and nutrients. Plant roots take up nutrients, and the nutrient
phosphate is removed through adhesion to soil particles. The effluent continues to move downward through
the soil and eventually reaches the groundwater. Septic systems perform a valuable service by cleansing
wastewater, recycling it to the ground, and recharging groundwater.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Inc., Bayboo , Washington, D.C., Bems and Kay, Ltd., 1991.

Burke, David, G., Meyers, Erik, Tiner, Jr., Ralph, and Groman, Hazel, Protecting Nontidal Wetlands, Chicago,
American Planning Association, 1988.

Cavanaugh, Peggy and Spontak, Margaret, Protecting Paradise 300 WUs to Protect Florida's Environment, Fairfield,
Florida, Phoenix Publishing, 1992.

Center for Science in the Public Interest, 99 Ways to a Simple Lifeslyle, New York, Anchor Books, 1977.

East Central Florida Regional Planning Council, The Waterfront PropeM Owner's Guide, Winter Park, Florida,
1979.

Fernald, Edward A. and Patton, Donald J. ed., Water Resources Atlas of Florida, Tallahassee, Florida State
University, Institute of Science and Public Affairs, 1984.

Florida Cooperative Extension Service, How to CalibratC, Your Sprinkler System, Gainesville, University of Florida,
Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

Florida Department of Environmental Regulation, Stormwater Managemen , the Florida State of the Environment
Series.

Folit, Ruth, Bay Repair Kit, Sarasota, 1989.

Hammer, Marie S., Hazardous Household Substances: Alternatives That Are Relatively Free of Toxic Effects
Gainesville, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Universityof Florida, Institute of Food andAgricultural Sciences:
1988.

Hunter, Linda Mason, The Healthy Home: An Attic-To-Basement Guide to Toxin-Free Living, New York, Pocket
Books, 1989.

Livingston, Eric H., Overview of Stormwater Managerngnt, Florida Department of Environmental Regulation.

Lomax, Ken M., Home Septic Systems Proper Care and Maintenance, Newark, Delaware, Cooperative Extension
Service, University of Delaware.

MacEachern, Diane, Save Our Planet 750 EvejydU Was You Can Help Clean Up the Earth, New York, Dell
Publishing, 1990.

Myers, Ronald, L. and Ewel, John J., ed., EcoUstems of Florida, Orlando, University of Central Florida Press, 1990.

Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District, Please Don't Feed Our Streams How to Feed Your Lawn
Without Overloading the Ba , Falls Church, Virginia.

O'Hara, Kathryn, J., ludicello, Suzanne, and Bierce, Rose, A Citizen's Guide To Plastics In The Oceans: More Than
A Litter Problem, Washington, D.C., Center For Marine Conservation, 1988.

Rosen, Morris, ed., Xeriscape Plant Guide 11, West Palm Beach, South Florida Water Management District.

Schauffer, Flis, Watershed: An Action Guide to Improving Maine Waters, Maine Department of Environmental
Protection, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Maine, 1990.

Sheehan, Amy, "How Your Garden Grows", The Ft. Myers News-Press, Feb. 2,1992, pages 1D-2D.

Shiffman, John, "Leaking Tanks Put Water Supplies at Risk", The Ft. Myers News-Press Aug. 9,1992, pages 1A, 7A.

Sponenberg, Torsten D., Kahn, Jacob H., and Sevebeck, Kathryn P., A Homeowner's Guide To Septic Systems,
Blacksburg, Virginia, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia Water Resources Research Center,
1985.

Stephens, J.M., Dunn, R.A., Kidder, G., Short, D., and Simone, G.W., Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide,
Gainesville, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, 1989.

Taggart, Judith and Bracht, Betty, Handle With Care Your Guide To Preventing Water Pollution, Washington, D.C.,
The Terrene Institute, 1991.

RESOURCES

Contact the following agencies and organizations.

For information about household hazardous waste and recycling.
Solid Waste Department
Collier County Environmental Services Division
3301 E. Tamiami Trail
Building H
Naples, FL 33962
(813) 732-2507

Safety dispose of household hazardous waste:

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center
Collier County, Naples Landfill
Landfill Road (off County Road 951)
(currently open 8:00 am - 12:00 pm Saturdays)
(813) 455-2830

Recycle motor oil and car batteries at thefollowingfacilitles.
Recycledyard waste mulch is available in commercial and residential quantities at these same locations.
Naples Transfer Station Carnestown Transfer Station
W. Enterprise Avenue (off Airport-Pulling Road) County Road 29 and East U.S. 41
643-3099 695-4331

Marco Island Transfer Station Immokalee Landfill
Elkcam Circle (next to the fire station) 700 Stockade Road
394-2134 657-6566

To report the discovery of oil or hazardous waste in a waterbody or a large pesticide spill or one directly into
water.

Emergency Management Naples
Collier County Emergency Services Division
3301 E. Tamiami Trail
Building F
Naples, FL 33962
(813) 774-8444

For information about home water conservation and conserving water through creative landscaping.
South Florida Water Management District
Big Cypress Basin
6167 Jane Lane
Naples, FL 33942
(813) 597-1505

For information about lawn care and landscape, gardening, and integratedpest management.
Collier County Extension Service
14700 Immokalee Road (10 miles east of 1-75)
Naples, FL 33964
(813) 353-4244

For infonnation concerning variances and vegetation removalpermits:
Project Review Services
Collier County Community Development Services Division
2800 N. Horseshoe Drive
Naples, FL 33942
(813) 643-8471

To informfield staff after receiving a vegetation removalpermit.-
Compliance Services
(813) 643-8458 or 643-8459

For b1formation concerning boat dock permits:

Customer Service
Collier County Community Development Services Division
2800 N. Horseshoe Drive
Naples, FL 33942
(813) 643-8400

For iqformadon about aquatic plant control.
Water Management Department Florida Department of Natural Resources
Collier County Environmental Services Division Bureau of Aquatic Plant Management
3301 E. Tamiami Trail 300 Business Parkway Suite B-100
Building H Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411
Naples, FL 33962 (407) 793-5666
(813) 732-2501

To report mangrove violations, excessive turbidity, prop dredging through seagrass beds, and damage to submerged
natural resources:
Florida Department of Environmental Regulation Florida Department of Natural Resources
South Florida District Bureau of Submerged Lands and Preserves
2269 Bay Street 2295 Victoria Avenue Suite 166A-D
Ft. Myers, FL 33901 Ft. Myers, FL 33901
(813) 332-6975 (813) 332-6996

To report derellet vessels, iy#ured manatees or marine mammal strandings, boating andfuhing violations, iffegat
dumpingfrom boats, and other law eqforcement matters:

Florida Marine Patrol
Division of Law Enforcement
District 5 Office
2423 Edwards Drive
Ft. Myers, FL 33901
(813) 332-6966
1-800-DIAL FNIP (1-800-342-5367)

For ass istance in dealing with an injured bird or animal andfor information about the Adopt-A-Shore program:

The Conservancy, Inc.
1450 Merrihue Drive
Naples, FL 33942
(813) 262-0304

For iqformation about the Adopt-A-Roadprogram:

Road and Bridge Facility
Collier County Transportation Services Division
2901 County Barn Road
Naples, FL 33962
(813) 774-8925

For information about sea turtk monitoring:

Natural Resources Department
Collier County Environmental Services Division
3301 E. Tamiami Trail
Building H
Naples, FL 33962
(813) 732-2505

For information about land trust organizations:

Southwest Florida Land Preservation Trust
P.O. Box 2721
Naples, FL 33939
(813) 597-1001

Note: Telephone numbers and addresses are subjec t to change.

Using The Household Hazardous Waste Chart

The Household Hazardous Waste Chart is a reference to safe,
effective disposal of wastes in the home.

Water Drop: indicates materials which can be poured down the
drain with plenty of water for dilution.

CAUTION: Some chemical substances cannot be used with septic
tanks. Read labels carefully. Products are now required to carry
warnings if damage to septic systems can occur. Such materials
should be taken to a location where the wastewater is sent to a
secondary wastewater treatment plant or to a hazardous waste
collection center. Treat older, unlabeled products and unknown
chemicals as materials to be taken to a hazardous waste collection
center.

CAUTION: Never pour a succession of different household
chemicals down the drain one after another.

CAUTION: Do not use strong cleaning agents such as chlorine
bleach or drain openers immediately before or after hazardous
waste is poured down the drain.

Garbage Can: indicates materials which can be set out for curbside
trash collection for disposal in a sanitary landfill.

X Symbol: indicates materials and their empty containers which

Recycling Symbol: indicates materials which are recyclable.

Resource: Refer to Resources in the Appendix for recycling
locations. Call the Collier County Solid Waste Department at 732-
2507 for more information.

HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE CHART

~6q6 Pour with caution Trash can it X Save for hazardous waste collection ~*~.~*~# Recycle it

TYPE OF WASTE ~q6 ~q1~q3 ~0qX ~-~*~qe

KITCHEN
,Aerosol cans (empty)
Aluminum cleaners

Ammonia based cleaners
Bug sprays ~0qX
Drain cleaners
Floor care products ~0qX
~F~Fu~r~n~ture 'polish ~4qX
Metal polish with solvent ~0qX
Window cleaner
Oven cleaner (lye base)
BATHROOM
,Alcohol based lotions
~~(aftershave, perfumes, etc)

Bathroom cleaners
~@Depilator~ies
Disinfectants
'permanent. lotions
Hair relaxers
~qW~ed~~6~ne~- ~', (expired)
Nail polish (solidified)
'Nail polish remover
~
,(solidified)
Toilet bowel cleaner
~~qY~6b arid' ~qt~-~qle~' cleaners

GARAGE

Antifreeze

Automatic transmission fluid ~0qX

body repair products
Battery acid (or battery) ~6qX
,Brake ~qi~qlu~id ~6qX ~-
Car wax with solvent ~36qX

~@D~iesel fuel ~40qX

Fuel oil ~44qX

~qjGasohne ~44qX

Kerosene

Metal polish with solvent
Motor oil ~36qX
~@0~'ther- oils

windshield washer solution

WORKSHOP

Paint brush cleaner with solvent 0qX 2q4.

Paint brush cleaner with TSP

Aerosol cans (empty)
Cutting oil 2qX
Glue (solvent based) 6qX
Glue (water based)

Paint-lalex
Paint--oil based 6qX
Paint--auto 6qX
Paint--model 6qX
Paint thinner 0qX 8q4-

Paint stripper 0qX
Paint stripper (lye base) qra
Primer 6qX

Rust remover (with phosphoric
acid)
Turpentine 0qX 2q4t

Varnish 0qX
Wood preservative 6qX
GARDEN

Fertilizer
Fungicide 2qX
Herbicide 0qX
Insecticide 8qX
Rat poison 0qX
Weed killer 0qX
MISCELLANEOUS
Ammunition 0qX
Artist's paints, mediums 0qX

Dry cleaning solvents
0qX

Fiberglass epoxy 6qX
Gun cleaning solvents 0qX 2q4.
Lighter fluid 6qX
Mercury batteries 0qX
Moth balls 6qX
Old fire alarms 4qX

Photographic chemicals
(unmixed) 32qX

Photographic chemicals (mixed
property diluted

Shoe polish
'Swimming pool acid 40qX

The Household Hazardous Waste Chart is based on information from the United States Environmental Protec-
tion Agency's Hazardous Waste regulations. The chart has been reprinted with the permission of the Water
Environment Federation, formerly the Water Pollution Control Federation, 1987. Telephone- 1-800-666-0206.

SELF EVALUATION

Please answer the following questionnaire (anonymously, if you like) and return it within six weeks to
three months to:

Ginger Hinchcliff
DNR/ Rookery Bay NERR
10 Shell Island Road
Naples, FL 33962

We would like to know if Keep It Clean has been useful to you.
Please be as concise as possible. Your responses will assist staff in evaluating the guide and help us
develop future educational outreach programs. Answer those questions that are relevant to you. Leave
non-applicable areas blank. Thank You!

Do you have a better understanding of Florida's water pollution problems, Rookery Bay and estuarine
resources, and watersheds?

ATHOME

Comment on the steps you have taken or plan to take regarding: household chemicals, home water.
conservation, septic tanks, auto care, pets, aquariums, pools, and other areas involving the home.

FRONT YARD/BACKYARD

Comment on specific actions that you have taken or plan to initiate in the future to limit surface runoff
and help keep surface runoff clean, particularly with respect to lawn and landscape, erosion and
sediments, permeable pavements, contouring, terracing, and infiltration devices, gardening, fertilizers,
and pesticides.

ea 4&Nf ffw da&,d &cc
69

Waterfront Property

Comment on specific plans to maintain or restore the natural slope of the shoreline and native vegetation.
Comment on actions or plans regarding coastal structures such as seawalls.

RECREATION

Comment on steps you have taken to lessen the impact of recreational activities on our waters. We are
especially interested in actions regarding boating, recreational crafts and vehicles, marine dumping and
debris, beach outings, golf, and any other relevant activities.

COMMUNITY

Comment on actions you have taken or plan to take to increase your community involvement and help the
community become "water wise".

Additional comments, criticisms, suggestions, ideas, and points not raised that need to be addressed .....

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