Public Knowledge and Understanding of the Volusia County Fertilizer Ordinance

PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE VOLUSIA COUNTY FERTILIZER ORDINANCE SENIOR RESEARCH PROJECT MANUSCRIPT ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AND GEOGRAPHY COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES STETSON UNIVERSITY BY Cheyenne Hammell ADVISOR Dr. Jason Evans, Ph.D. JULY 2017 2 Table of Contents List of Figures………………………………………………………...…………...……………....3 List of Tables..................................................................................................................................3 Acknowledgements………………………………………………….….………………………...4 Abstract……………………………………………………………….…………..………...…….5 Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………….6 Methods……………………………………………………………………………………..…….8 Results………………………………………………………………………………………........12 Discussion and Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………….12 Works Cited..................................................................................................................................15 3 List of Figures Figure 1: Map of Volusia..............................................................................................................11 List of Tables: Table 1: Survey Schedule Example...............................................................................................10 Table 2: Percentages of Survey Results with Critical Percentages Circled (red)............................12 4 Acknowledgements Thank you to Dr. Evans for serving as my mentor throughout this project and my advisor for my time at Stetson. Thank you to Dr. Anderson for serving as my part-time mentor for this project. Thank you to Dr. Griffis for helping to construct my survey. Thank you to Dr. Abbott for his advice on the research process, paper writing, and Showcase presentation. Thank you to Dr. Henderson for inspiring me to move towards policy studies. Finally, thank you to Travis Dumont, Katherine Blohm, Caitlyn Bishop, Casey Gianacakes, and my parents for providing endless support on this journey. 5 Abstract In 2014, Volusia County, Florida passed the Volusia County Fertilizer Ordinance as a means for combating algal growth in local water bodies. The purpose of my project was to survey Volusia County residents to determine the public’s understanding and knowledge of the fertilizer ordinance. I studied the success of local policy and public knowledge of the ordinance. To distribute my surveys, I attended Volusia County public parks and approached residents with my survey. If residents possessed knowledge of an ordinance, then they were more likely to follow the provisions under that ordinance. The ordinance was successful if residents followed the provisions. Based on my results, the majority of Volusia County residents answered that they did not know of the ordinance or were uncertain that it existed. In understanding the lack of knowledge of the ordinance, my project demonstrates it is not prevalent in the community and living up to its purpose. 6 Introduction Nations around the world struggle to find and manage water sources to support both present and future populations, as these water sources and the quality of these sources continue to decline. One of the biggest struggles for the U.S. is creating policies that manage and protect our water sources and the economic value of them. Water policy recognizes the importance of water resources and sets forth the government’s intentions with respect to water, whether the approach is or is not to actively manage water resources (Yew 2004). Florida is home to one of the nation’s most biologically diverse ecosystems, the Indian River Lagoon. The Indian River Lagoon, also known as the IRL, is a 156-mile estuary situated along Florida’s east coast. The lagoon is one of the most biologically diverse estuaries in the United States. This ecosystem, along with others that have similar characteristics, serve as a shelter and nursey for wildlife. The IRL supports wildlife and the local economy as commercial fisherman and recreational businesses rely on the lagoon for income. The lagoon is an economic driver for the 5 counties it borders, including Volusia (IRL Council). In 2014, the totaled annual economic output of the IRL was about $7.6 billion, and when ecological value and other contributions are added the output increases to $9.9 billion. (Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council). The value of the Indian River Lagoon is substantial. Though the significance of the IRL is clear, it is currently facing a tremendous battle with excessive nutrients. This pollution is devastating the ecological and economical balance of the IRL. The lagoon has been faced with extensive pollution, mainly due to septic tanks and fertilizer use on homes surrounding the lagoon. Nutrient loading from fertilizers and other sources has caused a toxic algal bloom that has affected much of the lagoon’s seagrass and other plants that support the wildlife and killed millions of fish and other wildlife. This is the process 7 of eutrophication. Eutrophication is the effect of excessive algae growth from runoff of fertilizers and pesticides from agroecosystems and/or discharged human waste from settlements (Khan and Ansari 2005). This type of pollution is known as non-point source pollution as the nutrients are not discharged directly into a water body. The excessive nutrients were once naturally cleansed in the Lake Okeechobee and St. Lucie basins over a long period of time, but the water now moves so quickly through the basins that it cannot be naturally cleansed before flowing downstream to the lagoon (Florida Audubon). Fertilizers and pesticides are applied to agricultural fields and lawns, and with added irrigation or rain, these chemicals runoff into the system and eventually end up in the basins. These products promote the growth of grass or crops, while eradicating the property of pests such as weeds or insects. Fertilizers and pesticides primarily consist of nitrogen and phosphorus. Low levels of these elements are found naturally in ecosystems, but when there is an excessive amount of these nutrients, it can cause algae to grow. Large amounts of nutrients can cause algal blooms in the ecosystem, which both in the short and long-term are detrimental to the wildlife, economy, and human health for the surrounding area. This information is critical in understanding the necessity of policies and the reasons behind why they are created. Science itself is intertwined throughout society. Understanding science is important in recognizing issues that are not only hazardous to our environment, but also to our health. Knowledge about science is also critical in informing policy makers (Marincola 2006). The public can push policy makers to implement policies for water quality or fertilizer management, as well as other environmental policies that are essential for protection and management of our resources. 8 My research project was a study of public education and the success of policy. I conducted research in Volusia County, the northern part of the Indian River Lagoon System. To research the feat of public education and policy, I constructed a survey using one of the county’s policies, the Volusia County Fertilizer Ordinance. This ordinance discusses supportive scientific findings, purpose and intent, timing and location of fertilizer application, business training and licensing, and enforcement of the ordinance (Volusia County Code of Ordinances 2014). I determined if Volusia County residents had knowledge of the provisions under the Fertilizer Ordinance and followed these provisions. Knowledge was determined by surveying at public parks in Volusia County. I surveyed 160 Volusia County residents to determine knowledge of the Volusia County Fertilizer Ordinance. My results were used to determine the success of the ordinance. If homeowners were obeying the provisions, based on the survey results, then the ordinance was successful. My hope for this research project was to determine if residents were following current policies. Methods For my project, I surveyed the citizens of Volusia County to determine their knowledge of the provisions under the Fertilizer Ordinance and if homeowners followed these provisions. The survey consisted of yes/no/uncertain questions. Originally, I was going to exclude those who rent apartments or are not responsible for their lawn care. To do so, I had a question asking if the resident is responsible for the care of their lawn (Question #1, shown in Table 2). Those that answered “yes” would have been excluded from my project because often they are not in control of what fertilizer practices are being implemented. However, a few survey-takers brought to my attention that although they no longer care for their lawn, due to various reasons discussed later, 9 they had at one point cared for their lawns. I also decided that knowledge of the ordinance is important, though some residents do not use fertilizers. The purpose of my project is to determine if residents have been educated about the ordinance. I distributed a pilot survey to professors in the Environmental Science and Studies department. The pilot survey served to determine if my questions were clear and answered my project question. The results and suggestions of my pilot survey was used to form my finalized survey (shown in Table 1). This survey was anonymous. For the survey to be anonymous, I used a closed, nontransparent container for survey-takers to place the completed surveys. I kept count of how many surveys were completed, to ensure I collected ten surveys per park. Residents that completed the survey did not identify themselves, mark their address, or provide any other form of identification. I surveyed Saturdays and Sundays from 9am to 4pm. I attended two parks per day and surveyed at each for three hours. I created a schedule to show the times I surveyed (example shown in Table 1). Volusia County (shown in Figure 1) has a total of 16 cities (all are not shown in the map), each with at least one park. I attended one park per city, for a total of 16 parks surveyed. I collected ten surveys from each park, for a total of 160 surveys. To start, I drove to a local, public park in Volusia County. For each park, I had ten blank surveys on person, five clipboards for survey-takers to write on, ten pencils to fill out the survey, and a closed, nontransparent container to collect the surveys. I arrived at each park at the time chosen on the schedule (shown in Table 1). I walked through the park and approached park-goers to complete my survey. Chris Lessig with Volusia County advised me to walk the park and 10 approach visitors rather than sitting in the park with a table. I wore a badge or any form of identification stating that I am a Stetson University student. As I approached visitors, I identified myself: first name, Stetson University senior, and that I was looking to survey them for my senior research project. Once the visitor(s) had agreed to listen, I explained the purpose of my survey and asked if they were a Volusia County resident. If the visitor(s) said they were a resident, they were handed a clipboard, survey, and mechanical pencil to complete the survey. I did not answer any questions before or during the survey that pertained to the questions on the survey, as it might have influenced the responses and my results. After the taker completed the survey, I asked them to fold the survey and insert it into the container. I allowed survey-takers to ask questions once the survey was completed. After I collected 10 surveys, I left the park and returned home to input the results into Microsoft Excel. I recorded my results after I returned home each day. Once I collected the surveys from the public parks, I interpreted my results. I calculated the percentage of answers for each survey question by dividing the number of residents that had answered “Yes”, “No”, or “Uncertain” by the total number of questions, twelve. (shown in Table 1). Table 1: Example Survey Schedule. DayPark (name, address, # on map)CityTimeBuck Island RanchOsteen9am-12pmGemini Springs ParkDeBary1pm-4pmLighthouse Point ParkPonce Inlet9am-12pmRobert Strickland ParkHolly Hill1pm-4pmSaturdaySunday11 Figure 1: Map of Volusia. 12 Results Table 2: Percentages of Survey Results with Critical Percentages Circled (red). Discussion and Conclusion My results support my hypothesis that Volusia County residents do not have knowledge of the fertilizer ordinance (shown in Table 2). 60% of survey-takers did not know of the fertilizer ordinance (see circled percentage in Table 2). 22% of residents answered that they were uncertain that Volusia County has a fertilizer ordinance. 73% of residents reported that they were responsible for their lawncare, though only 18% of residents reported that they knew of the Volusia County Fertilizer Ordinance. Question #YesNoUncertain173%27%0%253%40%7%339%49%12%441%50%9%518%60%22%616%48%36%714%39%47%820%58%22%913%68%19%1019%70%11%1145%41%14%1217%15%68%Do you know that Volusia County has a fertilizer ordinance?QuestionDo you take care of your own lawn?Do you use fertilizers?Do you read the label before purchasing the fertilizer?Do you fertilize from June 1 to September 30?Do you think fertilizers are a problem in Volusia County?Do you use fertilizers containing phosphorus?Do you use fertilizers containing at least 50% slow release nitrogen?Do you apply fertilizers containing nitrogen or phosphorus before seeding and 30 days after seeding?Do you apply or spill fertilizers onto sidewalks, driveways, or roads?Do you collect lawn clippings from your lawn?Do you blow or brush lawn clippings and debris onto roads or sidewalks?13 I hypothesized that without knowledge of the ordinance, residents would not follow the provisions under the ordinance. 41% of residents stated they fertilize during fertilizer ban season, June 1 to September 30 (Table 2). 70% of residents reported that they do not collect their lawn clippings for proper disposal. These two questions are among the important provisions under the fertilizer ordinance. 68% of Volusia County residents were uncertain that fertilizers were a problem in the county (shown in Table 2). Though this question does not directly pertain to the ordinance, it was important to have residents reflect on fertilizer usage in the county. My results support my hypothesis that Volusia County residents would not have knowledge of the fertilizer ordinance. Residents do not have knowledge of the ordinance, and therefore do not follow the provisions under the ordinance. However, up to half of survey-takers do not use fertilizer or tend to their yards. As I was surveying, many residents stated that they had once used fertilizer or use it as needed, but simply do not have time to implement fertilizer practices or maintain upkeep of their yards. A few variables might have influenced my results. The wording of the survey questions, how I approached residents, and other variables could have influenced the survey results. For example, Question #1 (shown in Table 2) could have been worded differently to avoid misinterpretation by the survey-takers. Residents might have thought I was asking if they maintain their yards, rather than if they are solely responsible for the care and upkeep practices of their yards. My project obstacles might have also influenced my results. If I were to survey again, there are a few aspects I would change. I would first rephrase Question #1 to prevent confusion and possibly rephrase other questions. I would construct an 14 online survey that would be distributed to Volusia County residents. If I did not use an online survey, I would survey residents using an electronic tablet or cellphone to avoid use of physical surveys. For either scenario, I would use an incentive for survey-takers, such as a gift card, to encourage completion of my surveys. The purpose of my project was to determine the success of the Volusia County Fertilizer Ordinance. According to my results, Volusia County residents did not have knowledge of the ordinance. My project is important for future studies and reflection on public education provided by government agencies. Not only education about policies, but the science supporting implementation of policies, as it is critical for informing policy makers. 15 Works Cited Florida Audubon. 2016. Crisis in the Indian River Lagoon: Solutions for an Imperiled Ecosystem. Available from: http://fl.audubon.org/crisis-indian-river-lagoon-solutions-imperiled-ecosystem IRL Council. Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program. Available from: http://www.irlcouncil.com/ Khan, F. A. and A. A. Ansari. 2005. Eutrophication: An ecological vision. The Botanical Review 71(4):449–482. Marincola, E. 2006. Why is public science education important? Journal of Translational Medicine. 4(7). McCue, T., Harling, H., & Nieves-Ruiz, L. 2016. Indian River Lagoon Economic Valuation Update. Available from: http://tcrpc.org/special_projects/IRL_Econ_Valu/FinalReportIRL08_26_2016.pdf Yew, L. K. 2004. What is water policy and what is its purpose?. Buletin Ingenieur, June- August 2004 Edition. Board of Engineers Malaysia. Available from:http://www.bem.org.my/publication/juneaug04/F(WaterPolicy)(44-46).pdf. Volusia County Code of Ordinances. Chapter 50, Article VII, Florida Friendly Fertilizer Use. Volusia, Florida, USA. Available from: http://www.volusia.org/core/fileparse.php/4551/urlt/VCFertilizerOrdinance.pdf