The progress and the work remaining to preserve the quality of our water

Red tide. It has dealt a tough blow to our community's tourism and other businesses. It does not matter where you are in the county, you have felt the effects. It is a reminder of our most recent recession and how, when businesses suffer, so do our residents' overall quality of life.

The Argus Foundation is committed to responsible environmental policy. This is highlighted by Argus hosting our second Meet the Minds luncheon this year on the environment. The first luncheon back in February featured Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Noah Valenstein. The second, our sold-out Meet the Minds on red tide, occurred this past Thursday.

Red tide has brought forward important discussion about nutrients and environmental policy. I am proud to say that our county has been at the forefront of these issues. While other counties are just having these conversations for the first time, ours has been talking about these issues for decades.

According to Sarasota County’s Fertilizer Management webpage, “More than 60 percent of water pollution comes from things like cars leaking oil, fertilizers from farms and gardens, and failing septic tanks.”

Sarasota County has tackled all of these issues, but there is a lot more work to do.

Years ago, after earlier county commissions settled our water wars and properly planned to preserve our water quantity, the county shifted its focus from quantity to quality.

We have a fertilizer ordinance passed over 10 years ago that served as a model across the state for other counties. The restrictions include a ban on fertilizer with nitrogen during rainy season, a buffer of 10 feet between fertilizer application and bodies of water, and requirements for slow-release fertilizer.

County education programs have been perhaps most important. It was the key to my family eliminating fertilizer application at our own home almost 15 years ago.

The Phillippi Creek septic tank replacement program and the Englewood Water District’s septic replacement program have been a priority. In 2001, Sarasota County began an endeavor to replace septic tanks along Phillippi Creek. When complete, this project is expected to have eliminated about 14,000 septic tanks. We encourage the County Commission to continue to fund this project and complete this important work. In Englewood, similarly, the Englewood Water District has been expanding its sewer system and eliminating septic systems, improving the water quality of Lemon Bay.

In 2015, the county and the Southwest Florida Water Management District came together to form the Dona Bay Watershed Management Plan. According to Sarasota County, “The treatment system is designed to reduce nutrient levels, peak flows and the volume of freshwater currently discharging into Dona Bay.” This plan includes 280 acres of wet detention ponds and 83 acres of wetland rehydration.

Phase 1, the water conveyance and wetland rehydration system, was completed in March 2017.

The county is now in Phase 2 of this program and is in engaged in design and permitting work for the water storage facility that will “reduce pollution loading and improve water quality in the downstream estuary.” It also has the added bonus of providing a public water supply for the future.

In addition to these important programs and several others I do not have space to mention, Sarasota County has preserved approximately one-third of the land within the county. Today, many of those lands now have public access, which will help future generations understand the importance of conservation.

In fact, the County Natural Areas Guide highlights 23 sites that offer opportunities to explore nature and educate our younger generations who will be the ones who carry this important environmental stewardship forward. Many of those 23 sites are on lands that surround important natural resources such as the Myakka River, our Intracoastal Waterway and our bays.

We still have more work to do, but we have a lot to be proud of. Sarasota County is on the cutting edge of improving our water quality and the Argus Foundation is proud to support solutions for important community issues that will enhance the quality of life, environment and economic well-being of Sarasota County.

Christine Robinson is executive director of the Argus Foundation and was on the Sarasota County Commission from 2010 to 2016. Contact her at christine@argusfoundation.org.