Business owners oppose idea to license landscapers in Davenport

For two nights in a row, Davenport Natural Resources Manager Brian Stineman heard feedback from business owners. He admits he didn't expect it to be so negative.

The outspoken business owners are opposing an idea to license landscapers in the city of Davenport. The plan was presented during two public meetings this week.

The license would cost 15 dollars every two years and require 4-8 hours of training provided by the city and experts in the field. It was meant to address the city's concerns about groundwater pollution. Stineman told the crowd some of the pollution can be blamed on run-off from fertilizer use and nitrates from decomposing grass clippings. The training would focus on best practices that Stineman said he hoped would then trickle down from the professionals to homeowners.

Business owners say they're upset over the notion that they are causing the pollution, as well as the time and money it would require to be licensed. They grilled Stineman over the city's intentions for adding more regulations to their industry.

After Thursday's meeting, Stineman didn't know what the future held for the licensing idea. It is not scheduled for any further public action. At this point he said it could be revised and brought up for discussion again, or it could be dead all together.