The Daily Sun By Elaine Allen-Emrich
PORT CHARLOTTE — Too much nitrogen in the waterways is an issue Charlotte County commission discussed Tuesday.
During a water quality workshop, commissioners learned about trends, new and old water and aquatic projects, water restoration processes and recreational fishery conservation.
Commissioner Ken Doherty said nitrogen is a big problem.
He asked experts if the issue could be concentrated on because phosphorus is naturally occurring in Charlotte County. He said it’s expected to be at a higher level because it’s always present in the water.
However, Doherty was told the Department of Environmental Protection looks at many other factors — including bacteria, iron, nutrients and phosphorus — that impact water. All of that data is collected by the state.
Charlotte County is also doing water testing and monitoring. Some of that data is used for government grants to help with water structure improvements and septic-to-sewer conversions to reduce the costs to taxpayers.
The county is also partnering with universities and using interns to research and conduct stormwater modeling and mapping to study the evolution of habitats such as seagrass.
Commissioner Chris Constance said he wanted more information on the loss of seagrass habitat in county waterways.
He was told the staff uses data from 2003-2007, when seagrass was most abundant in the region. That data helps to determine what the criteria should be. Although it varies from one water system to another and what method he used to study seagrass.
Constance wanted to know about the negative and positive ongoing effects, including manatee deaths versus fish kills.
Commissioners said the decisions they make today will impact the county and the environment in decades to come.
Board Chair Bill Truex said he’s very concerned about Fortune 500 companies that look at the map to decide where they are going to develop with no concerns about the environment.
“They (some developers) honestly don’t really care and we’re just going to make our money next and move on,” Truex said. “And that’s what I’m very very concerned about.”
County Commissioner Joe Tiseo said they often speak about people over animals.
“You know we talk about conservations all the time and habitat preservation when subdivisions come in,” he said. “We’re looking at all of those things and it goes through the various county departments. But perhaps after today we give a different weight to the critters because it’s always a balancing act.”
Commissioners asked what they could do to help protect waterways, fisheries and recreational fishing.
They were told they could continue monitoring waterways and nutrient and iron levels, they could regulate issues through zoning ordinances, and they could work on a waterway plan.
Staff explained it’s important to learn the “source” that created the excess levels of nutrients and other impacts to waterways, and what can be done to address it.
Constance and Tiseo both asked about how septic systems and runoff from other areas, including Arcadia and North Port, are impacting Charlotte Harbor. Tiseo said taxpayers are funding upgrades to Charlotte County waterways, which may be hurt by negative regional impacts including septic systems.
Constance asked about septic systems that are leaching into the harbor, and pharmaceuticals that are flushed down the toilet that impact sealife.
Staff is also working on a watershed master plan. Also, they are trying to help residents with discounts for flood insurance through the national insurance plan.
Commissioners were told recreational sport fishing in Charlotte County generates 8% to 9% of the total economic output of nearly $500 million with about 4,300 jobs.
They were told the Charlotte 2050 Plan expands the development of the juvenile habitat — which they learned thrive and grow through flooded waters.