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LHIA President’s Message

like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving this month. My hope is that you are
spending it with family and friends. Let us remember our Florida panhandle neighbors
Ithat are still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Michael.
Once again this summer Fort Lauderdale experience algae in our waterways. I recently
attended a meeting with City staff experts in Environmental and Regulatory affairs.
While the algae is a statewide problem there are actually things that we do locally that
add to the problem. Algae grows best in warm waters that are overloaded with
phosphorus and nitrogen.
The good news is that this year the testing showed that Fort Lauderdale algae was
Barbara Magill NOT “toxic”. The state has tested half a dozen times since August 30th. Symptoms of
President, LHIA the toxic variety include headaches, sore throats, respiratory infections, and diarrhea.
Toxic algae was found as close as Jupiter, Fl. We did have a rare brief period of red
Team LHIA Officers tide that closed Fort Lauderdale beaches for several days.
Vice-President
Ed Rebholz There are measures we can take locally to help curb the algae from occurring.
Secretary • Use best practices when fertilizing or spraying your lawn for pests – Did you know it is
Chelsea Krebs against the law to fertilize your lawn within 10 feet of a waterway? (I didn’t)
Treasurer • Never fertilize before a heavy rain or in cooler weather.
Bonnie Rogers • Use a spreader with a deflector shield and a slow-release brand of fertilizer.
Welcome Committee • Never over-fertilize or soak the spilled fertilizer with water. Best to sweep it up.
Chairman
Linda Brand • You can make sure your lawn service people are not blowing grass cuttings into the
canal. Cuttings should be swept up and placed in your green bins.
• No blowing grass cuttings into the street or storm drains where they can wash into the
canals when it rains.
• If your lawn service removes the cutting ask them where they take them - chances are they are NOT disposing of them
properly.
• Picking up your dog’s waste is also important and it should NEVER be thrown into the waterways.
• Liveaboards and all boaters should use City or Marina pumpouts or Honeypot truck service. It is illegal to discharge
your tank in a canal, lake or Intracoastal waterway.
• Use dish soap and shampoos that are low in phosphates when you are aboard your boat.
• Never throw cigarette butts, trash, or plastic in the street or in the canal.

All the above will help to prevent water pollution. EVERYONE WANTS CLEAN WATER!
NO FISHING signs have been installed by the police dept. per the request of the LHIA board. People fishing are leaving
bait, dead fish parts and trash behind on our bridges. They could also be scouting the neighborhood under the guise of
fishing. These non-residents are blocking traffic by parking in the street or they brazenly park on vacant (For Sale)
private property. Which is why the board requested these signs. If you see someone fishing from any of the bridges
please call the police non-emergency number 954-764-4357. This is a county call center so specify the address as being
in Fort Lauderdale. If we are diligent in calling for the next several months, hopefully it will stop the problem. Please help
by calling. Especially those that have a bridge view. All calls get prioritized so the police will come depending on how
busy they are.

Pier 66 is continually hosting open houses to keep neighbors updated with plans for its
redevelopment. The next dates for their open house are Nov 15th & Dec 6. You can visit
the info website at https://www.info-piersixtysix.com/resources/. LH
Thank you!

Barbara Magill
26 rio vista civic association • www.riovistaonline.com