[Added 10-19-2011 by Ord.
No. 1040-11]
An article to regulate the outdoor application of fertilizer
so as to reduce the overall amount of excess nutrients entering waterways,
thereby helping to protect and improve surface water quality. This
article does not apply to fertilizer application on commercial farms.
A.
Elevated levels of nutrients, particularly phosphorus, in surface
water bodies can result in excessive and accelerated growth of algae
and aquatic plants (eutrophication). Excessive plant growth can result
in diurnal variations and extremes in dissolved oxygen and pH, which,
in turn, can be detrimental to aquatic life. As algae and plant materials
die off, the decay process creates a further demand on dissolved oxygen
levels. The presence of excessive plant matter can also restrict use
of the affected water for recreation and water supply.
B.
While healthy vegetated areas are protective of water quality by
stabilizing soil and filtering precipitation, when fertilizers are
applied to the land surface improperly or in excess of the needs of
target vegetation, nutrients can be transported by mean of stormwater
to nearby waterways, contributing to the problematic growth of excessive
aquatic vegetation. Most soils in New Jersey contain sufficient amounts
of phosphorus to support adequate root growth for established turf.
Over time, it is necessary to replenish available phosphorus, but
generally not at the levels commonly applied. Other target vegetation,
such as vegetable gardens and agricultural/horticultural plantings,
will have a greater need for phosphorus application, as will the repair
or establishment of new lawns or cover vegetation. A soils test and
fertilizer application recommendation geared to the soil and planting
type is the best means to determine the amount of nutrients to apply.
Timing and placement of fertilizer application is also critical to
avoid transport of nutrients to waterways through stormwater runoff.
Fertilizer applied immediately prior to a runoff-producing rainfall,
outside the growing season or to impervious surfaces is most likely
to be carried away by means of runoff without accomplishing the desired
objective of supporting target vegetation growth. Therefore, the management
of the type, amount and techniques for fertilizer application is necessary
as one tool to protect water resources.
For the purpose of this article, the following terms, phrases,
words, and their derivations shall have the meanings stated herein
unless their use in the text of this chapter clearly demonstrates
a different meaning. When not inconsistent with the context, words
used in the present tense include the future, words used in the plural
number include the singular number, and words used in the singular
number include the plural number. The word "shall" is always mandatory
and not merely directory.
The land area, 25 feet in width, adjacent to any water body.
(The Department believes that 25 feet is the appropriate buffer width
to be protective of water quality. However, in situations that warrant
additional flexibility, such as where lot sizes are exceptionally
small or where the twenty-five-foot buffer constitutes the majority
of the available property, the municipality may reduce the buffer
to 10 feet in width, with the additional requirement that a drop spreader
be used for fertilizer application.)
A fertilizer material, mixed fertilizer or any other substance
containing one or more recognized plant nutrients, which is used for
its plant nutrient content, which is designed for use or claimed to
have value in promoting plant growth, and which is sold, offered for
sale, or intended for sale.
A surface that has been covered with a layer of material
so that it is highly resistant to infiltration by water. This term
shall be used to include any highway, street, sidewalk, parking lot,
driveway, or other material that prevents infiltration of water into
the soil.
Any individual, corporation, company, partnership, firm,
association, or political subdivision of this state subject to municipal
jurisdiction.
Any fertilizer that contains phosphorus, expressed as P2O5 with a guaranteed analysis
of greater than zero; except that it shall not be considered to include
animal (including human) or vegetable manures, agricultural liming
materials, or wood ashes that have not been amended to increase their
nutrient content.
A technical analysis of soil conducted by an accredited soil
testing laboratory following the protocol for such a test established
by Rutgers Cooperative Research and Extension.
A surface water feature, such as a lake, river, stream, creek,
pond, lagoon, bay or estuary.
No person may do any of the following:
A.
Apply fertilizer when a runoff-producing rainfall is occurring or
predicted and/or when soils are saturated and a potential for fertilizer
movement off site exists.
B.
Apply fertilizer to an impervious surface. Fertilizer inadvertently
applied to an impervious surface must be swept or blown back into
the target surface or returned to either its original or another appropriate
container for reuse.
C.
Apply fertilizer within the buffer of any water body.
D.
Apply fertilizer more than 15 days prior to the start of or at any
time after the end of the recognized growing season spring/summer
applicable to the municipality as identified by the United States
Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones. United States Department
of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones mapping can be found in the Standards
for Soil Erosion and Sediment Control in New Jersey, July 1999. The
growing seasons are identified as follows:
No person may do the following:
A.
Apply phosphorus fertilizer in outdoor areas except as demonstrated
to be needed for the specific soils and target vegetation in accordance
with a soils test and the associated annual fertilizer recommendation
issued by Rutgers Cooperative Research and Extension.
B.
Exceptions.
(1)
Application of phosphorus fertilizer needed for:
(2)
Application of phosphorus fertilizer that delivers liquid or granular
fertilizer under the sails surface, directly to the feeder roots.
(3)
Application of phosphorus fertilizer to residential container plantings,
flowerbeds, or vegetable gardens.
This article shall be enforced by the Police Department or Code
Enforcement Official.