The Orange County Board of County Commissioners has unanimously voted to update the Fertilizer Management Ordinance in an effort to further prevent nutrient pollution from entering local water bodies.
The ordinance includes a ban on using fertilizer that contains nitrogen or phosphorus during summer months, an increase on setback distances from natural water bodies, a reduction in the rate of nitrogen application throughout the year, and a new requirement that any nitrogen-containing fertilizer applied to yards and landscaping must have at least 65 percent slow-release nitrogen.
The board’s move to further restrict the use of fertilizers is part of a state mandate to reduce nutrient pollution from degrading local waterways. The county had already banned the application of phosphorus year-round unless a soil deficiency had been proven.
All retail businesses that sell fertilizer will e required to post a notice by Orange County sharing the restrictions of the ordinance.
If a private residence is found to be non-compliant in the application of fertilizers, they will first receive a written notice, then a $50 fine, followed by a $100 fine for third and subsequent violations. Commercial properties could receive fines of $500-$750 depending on the number of violations.
Denise Cochran, Environmental Program Supervisor, told Bungalower, “Many provisions of the fertilizer management ordinance are difficult to enforce, but some activities are visible and provide great opportunities for us to seek compliance assistance through education.” Orange County employees will be on the lookout for blowing or disposing grass clippings and yard debris into the street or storm drain outlets, using a spreader without a deflector shield, not displaying a decal on a vehicle being used to apply fertilizer, or not maintaining a 10-foot low maintenance zone next to water bodies to catch runoff pollutants. She continued to say:
“To date, we have not pursued formal enforcement as we have not had repeat violations after our compliance assistance efforts were used, but we do feel that the fines are sufficient. Our goal is not to discourage all use of fertilizer or make people think that all fertilizer is bad, our goal is to promote careful, informed, and appropriate use of fertilizers that contain nitrogen and phosphorus.”
– DENISE COCHRAN, ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM SUPERVISOR, ORANGE COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION
Other sources of excess nutrients that lead to the pollution of Orange County water bodies include septic systems, animal feedlots, agricultural fertilizers, manure, industrial waste, garbage dumps, and sanitary landfills.
Since 2009, Florida’s east coast has lost roughly 60% of its seagrass due to algae blooms cutting off direct sunlight as the result of excess nutrients being washed into the lagoons. A record 1,100+ manatees died in 2021, largely due to starvation caused by the destruction of seagrass in those affected areas.
