Ban on nitrogen, phosphorous fertilizers in effect for islands
jbrotton
By TIFFANY REPECKI / [email protected] - | Aug 10, 2021
From July 1 through Sept. 30, a city ordinance prohibits the use of fertilizers on Sanibel containing nitrogen or phosphorous, along with additional guidelines, to curb excess nutrients from entering local waterways. From June 1 to Sept. 20, a similar Lee County ordinance prohibits the same on Captiva.
Nutrients fuel algae and high enough levels can lead to algal blooms.
Residents, along with lawn service companies, are reminded to give their fertilizer routines a summer vacation and abide by the ordinances in an effort to minimize the nutrient pollution in waterways.
“During the rainy season, we get large flushes of water during storm events. The stormwater can carry anything on the landscape, including fertilizers,” Dana Dettmar, an environmental biologist with the city’s Natural Resources Department, said. “(The ordinance) is to prevent the flushing of fertilizer into adjacent bodies of water when we have rain events.”
DANA DETTMAR Snowy egret forages in a cyanobacteria bloom caused by fertilizer runoff.
Kurt Harclerode, operations manager for the county’s Division of Natural Resources, continued.
“As most people know, we are affected by harmful algal blooms. Those occur because you have certain conditions,” he said, citing warm water, a light source like the sun and nutrients in stormwater runoff.
“We have all three of those,” Harclerode added.
Dettmar noted that the nutrients used to fertilize lawns and turf grass also feed algae.
“It just adds fuel for algal growths,” she said. “By prohibiting (certain fertilizers), we’re trying to limit the amount of food that algae have to feed on and, hopefully, limit the number of blooms we have.”
LEE COUNTY
Harclerode echoed that.
“If you cut back on the nutrients that are coming locally, you can help prevent harmful algal blooms,” he said. “Or, if they do occur, you’re not exacerbating the bloom.”
The ordinances limit the type and amount of fertilizer used, plus its application.
“This time of year we have a blackout period, so no one should be applying any nitrogen or phosphorus to any landscape,” Dettmar said.
The same applies under the county ordinance.
DANA DETTMAR Impact on Sanibel wildlife from algae blooms.
“If you’re using a blower, do not blow clippings into the street where they can run into a gutter and wash into a waterbody,” Harclerode said. “You want to pick those up or blow them back into the yard.”
Dettmar explained that the clippings will break down and provide nutrients for algae to feed off of. She recommended letting the clippings sit on the lawn, and they will naturally break down and fertilize it.
There are also certain setbacks or buffers required near bodies of water, based on which ordinance.
While not written into the county ordinance, Harclerode suggested picking up pet waste.
“Because that does contain nitrogen,” he said.
However, the ordinances are not only aimed at property owners.
“Anyone that’s applying fertilizer is required to have a fertilizer endorsement card,” Dettmar said, referring to the lawn and landscape companies contracted to provide their services on Sanibel.
She explained that they have to take a course, which includes an introduction on how fertilizers can impact water quality, on the city’s ordinance. It also involves a proficiency exam that must be passed.
Dettmar added that it is always good though to have a conversation with one’s contractor.
“To go over what their program is and make sure it’s in line with the city,” she said.
Lee County has a similar program in place for those on Captiva.
“The county has required anyone in that industry, the green industry, to have come through a Best Management Practices program,” Harclerode said, adding that they are licensed by the county.
He explained that the program covers the proper application of fertilizer, managing a landscape according to the procedures outlined by the ordinance and more. Program completion is required.
“They get a sticker that they can apply to their truck or vehicle,” Harclerode said.
While fertilizers containing nitrogen or phosphorous are prohibited during the blackout period, there are alternative choices — typically, labeled as a “summer blend” — available for people to use.
“They can apply other micronutrients. They can put down iron, magnesium, manganese, calcium, potassium,” Dettmar said, pointing out that potassium is a macronutrient. “Check the label.”
She noted that iron helps keep lawns looking green.
“Calcium acts in a similar manner to nitrogen and helps with root and shoot growth,” she said.
While it is too late into the season now, Harclerode explained that those concerned about their lawn suffering or dying without fertilizer can put down a slow or time-released product before it starts.
“So you can put that nitrogen and phosphorus down prior to the start of the rainy season, and then it will slowly release during the rainy season,” he said.
Island property owners are urged to adhere to the ordinances.
“This is a really easy, best management practice for homeowners to follow, and for people to do their part to help water quality around Sanibel and the surrounding waters,” Dettmar said. “If everyone participates and adheres to the ordinance, it can have a positive impact on water quality for our area.”
Harclerode agreed.
“There’s a lot of media coverage on Lake Okeechobee and the releases from Lake Okeechobee,” he said, explaining that there is a misconception that algal blooms are only the result of the releases.
“Every drop of water that comes from the lake is not necessarily the cause of all of our problems. It’s not just an outside source that is causing our issues,” Harclerode continued. “The runoff from your yard also has nutrients. So everything we do locally is helping.”
For information for Sanibel, visit www.mysanibel.com/Departments/Natural-Resources and click on the “Fertilizer Information Website” link. People can also call Natural Resources at 239-472-3700.
For information for Captiva, visit Fertilize Smart at http://fertilizesmart.com.
For additional details or best management practices on transitioning to a no-fertilizer or more eco-friendly yard, visit the Sanibel Communities for Clean Water at https://sanibelcleanwater.org. Those interested can also check out the Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program via https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu.
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GIVE FERTILIZER A SUMMER VACATION
Highlights of city ordinance
– It is a violation of Sanibel Ordinance 07-003 to apply fertilizers containing nitrogen and phosphorous during the rainy season, from July 1 to Sept. 30.
– Fertilizers cannot be applied within 25 feet of a body of water including lakes, ponds, canals, wetlands and the Sanibel Slough.
– Fertilizers cannot be applied to impervious surfaces, such as roadways, driveways and sidewalks. Any spills should be cleaned up immediately.
– Fertilizers cannot be applied to stormwater conveyance systems or catch basins, which includes roadside swales.
Highlights of county ordinance
– Fertilizers containing nitrogen and/or phosphorus cannot be used during the rainy season, June 1 through Sept. 30.
– Fertilizer may not be applied within 10 feet of a water body, seawall or wetland.
– Fertilizer is not allowed on impervious surfaces such as roads, driveways and sidewalks.
– Deflector shields are required on spreaders to prevent fertilizer from being spread into water body buffers and impervious surfaces.
– Grass clippings and vegetative trimmings may not be swept or blown into ditches, drains, water bodies, onto roads or sidewalks.
Source: City of Sanibel and Fertilize Smart/Lee County
WHAT TO LOOK FOR ON FERTILIZER LABELS
All fertilizer products use the three-number system. The first number represents nitrogen; the second phosphorus; and the third potassium or potash. Double zeros are the important numbers during the summer months of June through September.
Source: Fertilize Smart/Lee County