Dear Commissioner,
I am writing to urge you to take action to help Florida's Indian River Lagoon dolphins. In 2008, the bottlenose dolphins of the lagoon were dying at such an alarming rate that the situation was declared a "marine mammal unusual mortality event." This year, it looks like another such even is underway. The dolphins' bodies are being found emaciated, with little or no food in their stomachs, suffering from respiratory problems, skin-eating fungal infection, tumors and brain lesions.
Excessive nitrogen and phosphorus are prime suspects of the dolphin deaths along with bacteria, metals and mercury. Excess nutrients are required for toxic algal blooms and "red tides." Dolphin deaths were at their highest when Nitrogen (nutrients) and Chlorophyll A (algae) levels were at their highest.
Phosphorus has become a problem due to expanding use. Vast amounts are applied to everything from lawns to tomatoes to pine trees. Human alterations of watersheds bring more green spaces including golf courses. Most fertilizers are applied in excessive amounts. Land for agricultural use was found to increase nutrient loading by 100%. However the same land for suburban dwellings increase nutrient loading by 500%. If applied during summer rains, phosphorus washed unchecked into waterways. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that the Indian River Lagoon get more than 400,000 pounds of phosphorus per year -- 200,000 pounds more than it can sustain. The lagoon receives over 3 million pounds of nitrogen per year. This is over 1 million pounds in excess than can be absorbed.
We can greatly reduce nutrient pollution in the Indian River Lagoon and lessen our subsequent role in the death of the lagoon dolphins by not using fertilizers with phosphorus and quick release nitrogen.
[Your personal comments will be inserted here.]
What a shame to foul with green slime and harmful aglal blooms fueled phosphorus and nitrogen America's most diverse, species-rich estuary. I urge you to initiate a ban of these turf fertilizers in your county to help both dolphins and the entire Indian River Lagoon ecosystem that we all enjoy.
