The living coral reef is the most diverse marine ecosystem in the world. The balance of this delicate marine environment relies on the interaction of corals, sponges, fish, crustacea, mammals and other sea life. Together, their mutual survival is dependent on the quality of water in which they live. Such conditions include clear, clean waters, temperate climate, normal salinity and low levels of sedimentation to thrive.

Man's activities on land constantly threaten this fragile ecosystem. Our daily household activities are degrading water quality; we are contributing to the slow poisoning of our waters.

There are many ways of enjoying boating and visiting the reef while still protecting this fragile coral environment.

Boat anchors can do tremendous physical damage to the coral reef by crushing the fragile coral polyps upon impact, which opens up the entire coralhead to disease.

Reef mooring buoys are available at most popular reefs in the Florida Keys; use them if available. Destruction of coral formations through grounding or imprudent anchoring can lead to penalties and fines of up to $50,000.

All boats should put out extra scope by adding an extra line to the mooring buoy pickup line to create a horizontal pull on the eyebolt. Otherwise the eyebolt will be pulled. A good rule to remember is; if the buoy is pulled underwater, you must let out extra scope.

If you must use an anchor, choose an area of sandy bottom far from the reef, so that neither your anchor nor anchor chain damages nearby corals.

Public awareness that coral is a fragile living animal is important to its survival; don't touch, stand or take living coral.

Harvesting coral is against the law. This care should extend to inadvertent contact by diver equipment and fins. Gloves may protect you from the coral, but it does not protect the living organisms which comprise the reef. We recommend that gloves not be used at all while diving.

Bring your trash to shore, including fishing gear loss in all cases short of life-threatening situations. It is unlawful for any vessel to dispose of any plastic article at sea, while other materials cannot be dumped overboard within a range of 3 to 25 miles from the nearest land, depending on the material.

If you see garbage, collect it and bring it in. Use boat pump-out facilities to dispose of sewage. Avoid releasing bilge water near the reef or in marinas. Oil pollution is deadly to sea life.

Use oil absorbent sponges in the bilge to soak up excess amounts of contaminated water and dispose of them on land. One such sponge can last for many months. Don't scrub your boat bottom in shallow water or near the reef. The toxins released are deadly to turtle grass and living coral.

Reduce your use of toxic cleaners for topsides. All cleaners, bleaches, varnishes, paint and varnish removers and thinners should be considered toxic and handled accordingly. Use a nonphosphate detergent and a scrub brush instead of teak, deck and hullside cleaners. If unavoidable, plug your scuppers and wipe up any spills or residue.

Reduce your use of toxic paints and engine cleaners. Yes, they do work, but by slowly releasing deadly chemicals into the water. Steam cleaning the engine is an environmentally safer alternative. Don't even apply bottom paint to smaller boats if you don't have to.

When adding or changing the oil to an outboard, wipe up spills immediately. Be extremely careful to catch all old oil in a container for on shore recycling. Most gas stations have oil recycling drums.

Avoid the temptation to top off the tank when refueling. This invariably leads to a spill, producing small but toxic slicks in the water.

Report all oil spills to the Coast Guard (305) 292-8700, Reef Relief (305) 294-3100, or Resource Alert Line 1-800-342-1821.

Following these suggestions for everyday activities can and will have a positive impact on our living coral reef.

Reduce Rainwater Run-Off Through Landscaping and Porous Pavements

Encourage rainwater to move slowly across soil so most of it filters [Image] into the ground and replenishes groundwater supplies.

• Landscape with trees and shrubs which promote infiltration. Preserve established trees.
• Lawns can prevent rainwater run-off if fertilizers and pesticides are used at the proper time and rate, and if it is not over-watered.
• Avoid plants that require lots of watering.
• Dense vegetation, mulch, or gravel absorbs run-off.
• Spread rain from paved areas into lawn or garden areas by sloped grading.
• Use paving surfaces that allow rainwater to soak into the ground such as wood decks, bricks, interlocking pavers and flat stones (flagstone, keystone, granite). Avoid concrete slabs.
  

Landscaping has definite environmental benefits, enhances the appearance and value of property, and can reduce heating and cooling costs by as much as 30 percent.

• Choose hardy, native plants that have adapted to local growing conditions, such as the high salt content of the air and/or soil moisture for areas near the ocean. Cocoplum, Eugenia, Green and Silver Buttonwood, Gumbo Limbo, Cabbage Palm, Spanish Bayonet, Century Plant, Scaevola, Geiger Tree, Jamaica Caper, Spider Lily, Thatch Palm and Wild Coffee are all native.
• Local nurseries can advise as to varieties suited to your soil and growing conditions. The Florida Cooperative Extension Service provides free information on native plants of the Keys. Call (305) 294-4641 or write Post Office 2545, Key West, Florida 33045-2545.
• Trees, shrubs, and ground cover require less maintenance than grass and require fewer herbicides and less fertilizer.
• The county has ten sites with clean free mulch available. Most sites are right on US1 with easy access. Three sites are at the Monroe County transfer stations, where they will load the mulch into your truck at no charge. For more information, call 292-4433.
• Eliminate or at least reduce your use of fertilizer.
• Many soils benefit from organic matter such as composted vegetable scraps, grass cuttings and leaves. Mulching adds nutrients, makes the soil more workable, aids rain-water penetration and improves moisture-retention.
• If you must, apply fertilizer according to instructions at the proper time and rate. The wrong amount applied at the wrong time can cause disease, weed problems, poor root growth, or excessive top growth. Don't apply fertilizers on windy days or just prior to a heavy rain.

Pest Control

Pesticides are toxic. You cannot assume that because a pesticide is [Image] available, it has undergone the environmental and health effects evaluation procedure mandated in 1972. In 1987, only 120 of the 600 principal active chemical ingredients in commercially available pesticides had registered with the Environmental Protection Agency. Many over the counter items are dangerous to pets, children and wildlife.

There are three philosophies of pest control practices for landscape plants and lawns. The oldest and most common approach relies on synthetic chemical and lawns. The oldest and most common approach relies on synthetic chemical pesticides, even to the point of spraying on a regular basis for preventive purposes. This is a very dangerous habit which completely destroys the natural order.

Organic methods are preferable and offer a second alternative, and the use of completely organic gardening products is the safest, although not always the easiest, way to environmentally sensitive gardening.

A newer concept, called Integrated Pest Management or IPM, emphasizes frequent monitoring, and evaluation of all factors including environmental effects, before pesticides are applied.

Some IPM tactics that reduce or eliminate the need for pesticide sprays are:

Natural predators. Many natural biological agents, such as [Image] ladybugs and toads feed on aphids and other pests.

Habitat changes. In the Keys, this relates to mosquito control. Remove any standing water that permits the insect larvae to propagate. A layer of common cooking oil on water which cannot be removed from cisterns is also effective against mosquito larvae.

Companion planting. There are insect repellent properties attributed to different combinations of plants. Diversity of plants is the easiest and most effective pesticide and fertilizer the garden has, so use it liberally. Marigolds, for example, keep the soil free of nematodes and discourage many insects. Pot marigold is effective for tomato plants and elsewhere as a deterrent to asparagus beetle, tomato worm and other garden pests. Onions protect beets, strawberries, tomatoes and lettuce against slugs; onions also protect beans against ants.

Mixed plantings, which are not as susceptible to insect damage as large areas of the same type of plant.

Mechanical: Hand weeding and removal of insects, eggs, larvae, and cocoons from plants by hand is effective against minor pest problems.

Resistant plants: buy plants relatively free of major pests and diseases. Native, hardy types are best, but others that have adapted well in the Keys include bougainvillea, snake plants, money trees, night-blooming cereus, and frangipani.

Growing conditions: plants are more susceptible to pests when not grown in optimum sun, moisture, or pH levels.

Chemicals: use synthetic pesticides sparingly. Chemicals are just one small part of the whole plan. Local gardeners advise against spraying or treating plants with pesticides at all unless insect activity has reached a level that is damaging the plant. reached a level that is damaging the plant.

If damage is occurring to a plant, use the least harmful method [Image] and treat only the damaged area. If damage is limited to a small area, remove that branch completely.

When gardening, plant an extra one for the bugs and consider the reduced harvest of both plants at harvest time.

Insecticidal soap, available at local nurseries, is the least toxic pest control product.

Natural pesticides also work. Tobacco water is created by placing a handful of tobacco into 4 quarts warm water, let stand for 24 hours, dilute and apply with a spray bottle. Hot peppers are another natural pesticide. Blend 2 or 3 very hot peppers, 1/2 onion, and a clove of garlic in water; boil, steep for 2 days, and strain. This spray can be frozen for future use.

• To minimize the hazards of pesticides, read the label carefully. Buy only the quantity you need. Wear protective clothing. Wash your hands immediately after use. Apply only the amount specified on the label and only to the plants and areas listed in the instructions. Make sure people and pets are out of the area until the spray has dried. Don't apply if rain is forecast unless otherwise specified. Choose the least toxic pesticide.
• Those with the signal word "caution" are the least toxic; "warning" indicates moderate toxicity. Excessively toxic products should not be used at all.
• Pesticides shouldn't be used near the water. That's another good reason for those living in the Keys to reduce their use of such toxins.
• Never use herbicides for preventive purposes. Too many homeowners attack pests inside the home . . . termites, cockroaches, insects and mice . . by hiring professional pest control services. Check out the company-know that the pesticides they use are the safest available. They should explain the precautions to take after the exterminator leaves.

If you perform your own pest control, store unused pesticides in an area well away from living areas that is well-lit and well-ventilated, insulated from temperature extremes, out of direct sunlight, and out of a child's reach. Keep original containers and labels. Two years is a typical shelf life under these conditions.

The best pest control is cleanliness and screens on the windows of your home. In a tropical climate, ants and roaches are attracted by the slightest crumbs and sugar, honey, bread and butter are best stored in the refrigerator.

Septic systems have two key components-a septic tank and a soil absorption system. The tank receives the wastewater from your home, allows the heavy solid particles to settle and light materials to float to the surface. Bacteria in the wastewater feed on the solid particles and liquefy the waste products.

Systems should be sized to permit sufficient time for this process to take place. The soil absorption system (drainfield) receives the wastewater from the septic tank, and should remove harmful, disease-causing microorganisms, organics and nutrients. A leaky septic system infiltrates nutrient and bacteria-rich water into near-shore areas with harmful effects. The cumulative results of many such septic systems is devastating to water quality. Make sure your septic system is properly constructed. A "perk" (percolation) test will determine how fast the soil absorbs water to assess wastewater capacity. Perforated tile pipes must be laid in suitable soil. The water table level must be at least four feet below the septic drainfield. The drainfield must be large enough to absorb your home's daily wastewater.

The following maintenance practices will keep your system running smoothly:

• Know the location of all components of your septic system; keep heavy vehicles away
• from the system.
• Don't plant trees or shrubs near drain tiles. Roots can clog drain lines.
• Dispose of household chemicals properly-do not pour them down the toilet or drain; they destroy the bacteria needed to keep your septic tank operating. This includes pesticides, disinfectants, acids, medicines, paint, paint thinner. Dump cleaning water in the yard, not down the sink.
• Distribute your laundry chores throughout the week to avoid overloading the system on any given day.
• Compost garbage or put it in the trash. Don't use garbage disposals; they contribute unnecessary solids and grease to your septic system. Dispose of grease by absorbing it in paper and putting it in the trash. Participate in recycling programs to reduce the total volume of garbage at the landfill.
• Don't use toilets as trash cans; use trash cans for sanitary pads, tampons, throw-away diapers, cigarettes or other objects.
• Monitor your septic tank yearly and have a reputable contractor remove inorganic materials, sludge and scum when necessary.
• This ensures adequate space in the tank for wastewater, and prevents solids from escaping into the absorption system. System failures can be detected by effluent rising to the ground or drains and toilets operating sluggishly or not at all. These problems occur because the drainfield is either too small or located in the wrong kind of soil.

Leaking septic systems are a major problem in the Keys. Is yours one of them?

Less wastewater ends up at our living coral reef when we conserve water.

Water conservation reduces sewer, energy and water bills and reduces wear and tear on your septic system, if you have one. Only 4 of the 100 gallons of water we each use every day are actually necessary. Conserve water whenever and wherever possible:

• Use water-reducing fixtures on sinks, toilets, and showers. Weighted plastic jugs or baffles in the toilet tank help reduce water use.
• Fill the washing machine and dishwasher completely before using.
• Limit shower time; showers use less water than baths. Don't overfill the bathtub. Don't let the water run while shaving, brushing your teeth or lathering your face and hands.
• Water your lawn and wash your car only when absolutely necessary.
• Fix leaky faucets and toilets promptly. A dripping faucet can waste 20 gallons of water or more everyday. A leaking toilet can waste 200 gallons of water a day without making a sound. That's 6000 gallons of water a month!

The kitchen sink, the bathroom, the garage and the tool shed typically contain many products which are toxic such as oven cleaner, floor wax, furniture polish, drain cleaner, and spot remover. They contain Iye, phenols, petroleum distillates, and trichlorobenzene. Don't dump these products into the drain.

• Choose biodegradable products, which can be washed down the drain. If your wastewater is properly treated, they pose no problem to water quality.
• Ovens can be cleaned by applying table salt to spills, then scrubbing with a solution of baking soda and water.
• Lemon oil and linseed oil makes a good furniture polish.
• Clogged drains can be cleaned by pouring in a 1/4 cup baking soda followed by 1/2 cup vinegar, close the drain until the fizzing stops and flush with boiling water. A metal "snake" is a stronger method.

Instead of enzyme pre-soaks and bleach for stains, try the following:

• Clean soiled clothing with a solution of baking soda and warm water.
• Fruit and wine stains can be removed by immediately pouring salt or hot water on the stain, then soaking it in milk before washing.
• Grease is effectively removed with boiling water directly on the spot, followed with dry baking soda, or ammonia and water.
• Ink can be removed with hydrogen peroxide.
• Blood-stained clothing should be soaked in cold water and then apply hydrogen peroxide.
• Coffee stains are removable with a solution of egg yolk and lukewarm water rubbed on
• the stain.
• Chewing gum is removed by rubbing with ice; lipstick by rubbing with cold cream or shortening and then washing. For rust, saturate with sour milk or lemon juice and rub with salt, then place in direct sunlight and dry, then wash.
• Carpets can be cleaned and deodorized by mixing 2 parts cornmeal with one part borax. Sprinkle liberally, leave one hour, then vacuum. For tough stains, repeatedly blot with vinegar in soapy water. Sprinkle on baking soda, then vacuum to deodorize your carpet.
• 
  

Metals can be polished without harsh chemicals:

• Copper with a combination of lemon juice and salt or hot vinegar and salt.
• Chrome by rubbing alcohol or a small amount of ammonia with hot water; brass with equal parts of salt and flour, with a little vinegar.
• Clean silver by boiling a solution containing a quart of water, a tablespoon of salt, and a tablespoon of baking soda. Add the silver, boil it for three minutes and then polish it with a soft cloth.
• If you must use a product containing toxic chemicals, read the label and use the product only as directed. Do not mix with other chemicals. Protective clothing and rubber gloves are recommended. Good ventilation is a must. is a must.
• Buy only low or no-phosphorus cleaning detergent. Most liquid [Image] detergents are phosphate free and some powders are also. just about every commercially-available product is made in a no or low-phosphate form. There is a phosphate ban in effect in the Florida Keys, so the products on the shelf of your local grocer should all be no-phosphate. Automatic dishwashing products can contain up to 1.1 grams per tablespoon of phosphate under the local ordinance. Notify REEF RELIEF if this is not the case.
• To reduce disposal problems, buy only what you need. Used turpentine or brush cleaner can be filtered and reused. Paint cans and other containers should be stuffed with newspaper and allowed to dry before placing in the trash. Don't dispose of these products in sewer or septic systems.

Properly Dispose of Hazardous Waste

This includes; auto batteries, small batteries, gasoline, asbestos siding or tiles, motor oil, paint, chemicals, garden sprays and toxins, acids and household cleaning products. Take these items to a Hazardous Waste Collection Site. There are two permanent Hazardous Waste Sites in Monroe County where you can drop off materials.

• Cudjoe Key Transfer Station MM 21.5
• Long Key Transfer Station MM 68

And, once a year Monroe County sponsors a Hazardous Waste Collection Day; most communities do.

Take used oil and antifreeze to a gas station. All gas stations in the Keys have facilities. One quart of oil can contaminate up to 2 million gallons of drinking water. And the four quarts of oil it takes to fill a car can form an oil slick nearly eight acres in size.

The recycling sites in the Florida Keys are located at Cudjoe Key MM 21.5, 1010 Peter Jay Street (Marathon) and Key Largo MM 106 as well as the 3 transfer stations all collect used oil. Just bring the oil in a clean, closed container.

It takes little imagination to picture the damage caused when one person dumps their oil down the drain, which ends up in nearshore waters.

Dumping items in remote natural areas is a real bad idea. And it's illegal. Minimum costs are $250.00 plus fines, and sentencing can include confiscation of your vehicle as well as community service.

Plus, some of the ugliest sights in the Florida Keys are mattresses tossed into mangroves, and rusted water heaters and air conditioners littered around people's yards.

Just take your bulk trash out to the curbside, call (305) 2924423, and someone will be by to pick it up within 7 days, FREE OF CHARGEI The other good news is, all appliances, most metal objects and yard waste will be recycled.

Here's a partial list of trash items that can be disposed of in this way:

Refrigerators, Ovens, Carpeting and padding, Air Conditioners, Sofas, Bicycles, Doors and Windows, Microwaves, Dishwashers, Water Heaters, Wheelbarrows, Large Tree Trunks and Stumps, Mattresses, All other furniture

Auto parts are not accepted.

Carpeting and tree trunks must be cut into 6' lengths or less. Refrigerator doors must be removed before placing at curbside. If you've got something big sitting around your place you'd like to dispose of, call the above number and make it easy.

Place your yard waste in garbage containers or tie neatly in bundles. All yard wastes must be 4' long or shorter. Do not stuff yard wastes in plastic garbage bags or pile haphazardly along the road.

The collected yard waste is being turned into valuable mulch and is available to all interested citizens, businesses and institutions, FREE OF CHARGE.

Everyone of us can do a lot for the environment by remembering the 3 R's - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

Reducing means eliminating unnecessary packaging and buying and using fewer toxic products. Purchase supplies in bulk. Avoid individually-wrapped and polystyrene for packaging and disposable items such as cigarette lighters or disposable cameras. Do buy concentrates to which you add water thus eliminating some packaging. Do use refillable containers when possible instead of disposable plastic wrap and storage bags.

Ask clerks not to overwrap your purchases with tissue paper and ribbons. And don't accept the paper or plastic bags they offer unless you plan to reuse the paper for garbage bags.

Buy a permanent tote bag of canvas, straw or string. REEF RELIEF [Image] sells one at the Environmental Center & Store in Key West or through our mail order. Reuse glass containers for storage, reuse the back-side of correspondence as scratch paper.

Do use washable glass and cloth napkins and avoid the use of plastic plates, polystyrene cups and paper napkins.

Let your local retailer know that you support less packaging, and items which contain non-toxic pigments, stabilizers and other ingredients.

13% of the waste in the United States is recycled. It's a traditional method of utilizing all of your resources and one which has been time-honored by many societies. It was only with the advent of plastics within the last fifty years that disposals became prevalent.

Unfortunately, since plastics do not degrade, and since there is not an endless supply of natural resources to fuel the demand for new products, the only logical solution is to recycle what we already have. Recycling reduces solid waste bills as well as reducing volume at the landfills, which take up valuable space and contaminate the groundwater. Trash that is burned reduces air quality.

At present, there are 20 drop-off centers throughout the county which contain bins for plastic, aluminum and steel cans, newspaper, glass (green, clear and brown), and corrugated cardboard. In addition, there are six locations for office paper bins. In Key West, Marathon and the Upper Keys curbside pickup makes recycling easy. Each week, collect the following recyclables and keep them separate from your regular garbage.

• Aluminum beverage and steel cans. Rinse, then flatten if you have the energy.
• Glass bottles and jars. Brown, green and clear glass are all okay. Toss away the lids, but don't bother with the labels. Just rinse.
• Plastic containers. Look for the HDPE, PETE or PET raised letters on the bottom of the container. You'll usually find the three arrow recycling symbol, too. The most common plastic recyclables are water and milk jugs, detergent bottles and beverage containers. Rinse and flatten.
• Newspapers. Save the whole paper including the advertising supplements.

If you have curbside pick-up, you have been given a recycling bin in which to collect your recyclables. Put it out for curbside pickup on your designated day. If you don't have curbside pickup yet, drop off your recyclables at a Monroe County Recycling Center.

Finally, support businesses that recycle. They proudly display a sign that says: WE RECYCLE. It's a better way to do business.

For more information on recycling, contact:

Public Service Building 11B [Image] Stock Island Key West, FL 33040

Trash Hotline: 292-4432

Illegal Dumping: 911

Recycling Information Lower Keys: 292-4433 Middle Keys: 743-0079 Ext. 4433 Upper Keys: 852-1469 Ext.4433 Curbside recycling Hotline: 743-7312 Key West Recycling: 296-7485

* Take all used toys, clothing, and furniture to the Salvation Army. Drop off used magazines and books to a senior citizen's center or school library

As our landfills are mandated for closure and we wrestle with trucking our waste to neighboring counties, the need to REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE our garbage becomes even more important than ever.

A Citizen's Guide to Plastics in the Ocean. Center for Environmental Education, Washington, D.C.

Bags, Bundles and Recycling Bins (Or, How to take out your garbage in the Florida Keys). By Connie Grabois, Monroe County Recycling Department. 1991.

Baybook: A Guide to Reducing Water Pollution At Home. Reprinted with permission from Citizens Program for the Chesapeake Bay, Baltimore, Maryland. 1987

Are We Killing the Reef. Florida Keys Magazine, February 1989.

Greenleaves Nursery, Key West, Florida, citing Native Plants. By J. Paul Scurlock

Native Plants and Companion Planting. Monroe County Extension Service, Key West, FL.

MARPOL ANNEX V; How it Can Affect You. Rhode Island Sea Grant Marine Advisory Service, Narrangasett, Rhode Island.

Reduce, Re-use, Recycle. Alternatives for Waste Management. By Marie Harnrner and Jonathan Earle. Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 1990.

Stepping Lightly on the Earth: Everyone's Guide to toxics in the Home. By Greenpeace, Washington, D.C.

© COPYRIGHT 1992 Reef Relief--All Rights Reserved.