The Indian River Shores Town Council by a vote of 5-0 yesterday adopted more stringent regulations on the use of fertilizer.  The Town’s new ordinance now mirrors restrictions passed recently by the Indian River County Commission and the Vero Beach City Council.

Three indian River County municipalities — the Town of Orchid, and the Cities of Sebastian and Fellsmere — have yet to agree to work from the same page in regulating the use of nitrogen rich fertilizes that are contributing to critically and dangerously high nutrient levels in the Indian River Lagoon.

The proposed, more restrictive regulations are intended to reduce nutrient runoff into the Lagoon by banning fertilizer application from June 1 through Sept. 30 and requiring all fertilizer to be composed of at least 50 percent slow-release nitrogen.  Golf courses, athletic fields and similar public facilities are exempted from the proposed ordinance.

Giving in to pressure from representatives of the fertilizer industry, the Sebastian City Council recently rejected a proposed ordinance that, along with the new ordinance passed by Indian River County, Vero Beach and the Town of Indian River Shores, would have made possible a truly regional approach.  Andria Coy, the only Sebastian City Council member to support stronger fertilizer restrictions, expressed deep disappointment her city chose to follow the County’s lead.

The recent loss of nearly half the vital sea grasses in the Lagoon has heightened concern among elected officials and has motivated environmentalists to increase pressure on local governments to act.

Lagoon advocate, Judy Orcutt, said yesterday that with the Shores decision she can now turn her attention to encouraging leaders in the Town of Orchid and the Cities of Sebastian and Fellsmere to work together to help save the Lagoon.

In other business, the Shores Town Council heard Vero Beach Vice Mayor, Jay Kramer, and from local utility activists turned volunteer lobbyist, Glenn Heran.

With the growing acceptance that the Florida Municipal Power Agency will not or cannot grant Vero Beach an early release from its contract obligations, Heran and others eager to conclude the sale of Vero Electric to Florida Power & Light are advocating an all out push in the coming session of the Florida Legislature to force the FMPA to cooperate.

Heran is urging the Shores to join with the Indian River County Commission in funding a lobbying effort, both in the legislature and before the Florida Public Service Commission.  In addition to appropriating $78,000 to pay an influential lobbying firm to work for passage of legislation to be introduced by state Rep. Debbie Mayfield, the County Commission also approved paying Heran’s expenses should he travel to Tallahassee to help twist a few arms.

Vero Beach Vice Mayor Jay Kramer told the Shores Town Council he believes the best and fastest way to achieve electric rate relief for Shores residents is for the City of Vero Beach to sell to Florida Power & Lights its service territory rights and transmission and distribution system outside the city limits.

In a 20-minute video interview with Inside Vero yesterday Kramer explained why he believes a so-called partial sale will work to the benefit of all Vero Electric customers. (Interview with Jay Kramer)