This contamination is mainly attributed to past use of arsenic-based herbicides and fertilizers, such as monosodium methanearsonate (MSMA), on turf.
Last year, herbicides were applied around numerous large Brazilian Pepper trees next to a pond, presumably to poison them.
SMH Properties, the current owner, has filed for a zoning changes and Comprehensive Plan Amendments in Hendry and Glades county to build 68 residences and commercial buildings on the former golf course on Oxbow Drive in Port LaBelle along Birchwood Parkway.
SMH Properties, the current owner, has filed for a zoning changes and Comprehensive Plan Amendments in Hendry and Glades county to build 68 residences and commercial buildings on the former golf course on Oxbow Drive in Port LaBelle along Birchwood Parkway.
Aerial Photo: Port LaBelle Inn, Barn and Chicken Coops by Don Browne
Due to the past use of arsenic fertilizers and herbicides, there is a well-documented pattern of elevated arsenic levels in golf course soils and shallow groundwater in South Florida. These conditions often trigger restrictions, requirements, or advisories for new residential construction or property use—typically aimed at protecting future residents and meeting state soil/groundwater safety standards. If planning to buy or build a home on or near a former golf course, a thorough environmental site assessment is strongly advised to determine specific restrictions and health risks.
In past zoning filings, after the golf course was closed, and a CHL model home center was built nearby, there were discussions about how the property could not be used for future residential housing because of the arsenic levels in the ground soil.
Key findings from regional studies and regulations:
Chronic exposure to arsenic in soils or water can pose significant health risks, including higher risks of cancer and cardiovascular issues, leading to heightened scrutiny from state and local environmental regulators12.
In Lee and neighboring counties, fertilizer use is also regulated, though restrictions targeting arsenic are more a function of pesticide/herbicide history than current fertilizer formulations45.
Nearly all soil and shallow groundwater samples from Miami-Dade area golf courses on the East Coast of Florida exceeded Florida's residential soil cleanup target levels for arsenic, with 94% of surficial soil samples above residential standards. In many cases, arsenic concentrations in golf course soils greatly exceeded levels found in both native soils and areas with prior agricultural use13.
The EPA banned most uses of MSMA and similar arsenical herbicides on golf courses, with a phase-out starting in 2012 and use only permitted under strict, limited circumstances afterward. New restrictions included: spot treatments only (not to exceed 25% of the course per year) and a ban on general broadcast treatments except for the construction of new courses2.
Implications for Homes and Development:
Homes built on or near former golf course property known to have elevated arsenic may be subject to restrictions or additional requirements. These might include:
Environmental site assessments prior to land transaction or development.
Soil remediation mandates or restrictions on soil disturbance to protect residents.
Prohibitions on certain types of landscaping, gardening, or the use of well water for irrigation or drinking, depending on soil and groundwater arsenic levels.
While specific restrictions for the Port LaBelle Golf Course may be noted in local zoning and Comp Plan Amendment filing in Hendry and Glades county building and zoning departmens, it is standard practice for real estate transactions and development on former golf course lands with contamination potential to require disclosure and potential remediation, particularly in Florida where state and county environmental agencies actively monitor such sites13.
Summary:
In Lee and neighboring counties, fertilizer use is also regulated, though restrictions targeting arsenic are more a function of pesticide/herbicide history than current fertilizer formulations45.
Nearly all soil and shallow groundwater samples from Miami-Dade area golf courses on the East Coast of Florida exceeded Florida's residential soil cleanup target levels for arsenic, with 94% of surficial soil samples above residential standards. In many cases, arsenic concentrations in golf course soils greatly exceeded levels found in both native soils and areas with prior agricultural use13.
The EPA banned most uses of MSMA and similar arsenical herbicides on golf courses, with a phase-out starting in 2012 and use only permitted under strict, limited circumstances afterward. New restrictions included: spot treatments only (not to exceed 25% of the course per year) and a ban on general broadcast treatments except for the construction of new courses2.
Implications for Homes and Development:
Homes built on or near former golf course property known to have elevated arsenic may be subject to restrictions or additional requirements. These might include:
Environmental site assessments prior to land transaction or development.
Soil remediation mandates or restrictions on soil disturbance to protect residents.
Prohibitions on certain types of landscaping, gardening, or the use of well water for irrigation or drinking, depending on soil and groundwater arsenic levels.
While specific restrictions for the Port LaBelle Golf Course may be noted in local zoning and Comp Plan Amendment filing in Hendry and Glades county building and zoning departmens, it is standard practice for real estate transactions and development on former golf course lands with contamination potential to require disclosure and potential remediation, particularly in Florida where state and county environmental agencies actively monitor such sites13.
Summary:
Due to the past use of arsenic fertilizers and herbicides, there is a well-documented pattern of elevated arsenic levels in golf course soils and shallow groundwater in South Florida. These conditions often trigger restrictions, requirements, or advisories for new residential construction or property use—typically aimed at protecting future residents and meeting state soil/groundwater safety standards. If planning to buy or build a home on or near a former golf course, a thorough environmental site assessment is strongly advised to determine specific restrictions and health risks.
Sources:
https://www.miamidade.gov/environment/library/reports/golf-course-monitoring.pdf
https://beyondpesticides.org/dailynewsblog/2009/10/florida-golf-course-discontinues-use-of-arsenic-weed-killer/
https://www.villageresidents.org/wp-content/uploads/Risks-associated-with-pesticides-volitalized-and-dislodged-from-gulf-turf-dec-02.pdf
https://www.leegov.com/naturalresources/News%20Documents/Fertilizer%20restrictions%20in%20effect%20in%20Lee%20County%20June%201%20%20Sept%2030.pdf
https://www.leegov.com/bocc/ordinances/08-08.pdf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAIq3W_kYXU
http://asapgeneralcontracting.com/?page_id=325
https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/secure/pabulletin/data/vol30/30-11/30-11.pdf
https://beyondpesticides.org/dailynewsblog/2009/10/florida-golf-course-discontinues-use-of-arsenic-weed-killer/
https://www.villageresidents.org/wp-content/uploads/Risks-associated-with-pesticides-volitalized-and-dislodged-from-gulf-turf-dec-02.pdf
https://www.leegov.com/naturalresources/News%20Documents/Fertilizer%20restrictions%20in%20effect%20in%20Lee%20County%20June%201%20%20Sept%2030.pdf
https://www.leegov.com/bocc/ordinances/08-08.pdf
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAIq3W_kYXU
http://asapgeneralcontracting.com/?page_id=325
https://www.pacodeandbulletin.gov/secure/pabulletin/data/vol30/30-11/30-11.pdf
Good research!
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