[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Township Council of the
Township of Toms River 5-24-2011 by Ord. No. 4311-11. Amendments noted
where applicable.]
A.
Elevated levels of nutrients, particularly phosphorus, in surface
waterbodies 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. 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 means 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.
B.
This chapter does not apply to application of fertilizer on commercial
farms, but improper application of fertilizer on farms would be problematic
as well. Stewardship on the part of commercial farmers is needed to
address this potential source of excess nutrient load to water bodies.
Commercial farmers are expected to implement best management practices
in accordance with conservation management plans or resource conservation
plans developed for the farm by the Natural Resource Conservation
Service and approved by the Soil Conservation District Board.
For the purpose of this chapter, 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, 10 feet in width, adjacent to any water body.
A farm management unit producing agricultural or horticultural
products worth $2,500 or more annually.
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 (March 1 to November
15).
A.
No person may do the following:
(1)
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 soils surface, directly to the feeder roots.
(3)
Application of phosphorus fertilizer to residential container plantings,
flowerbeds or vegetable gardens.
This chapter shall be enforced by the Police Department and/or
the Division of Code Enforcement of the Township of Toms River.
Any person, partnership, limited-liability company, corporation
or other entity who shall violate any provision of this chapter shall,
upon conviction thereof, be subject to the maximum fines and penalties
established under N.J.S.A. 40:49-5, and as same shall be amended from
time to time. Each and every day a violation of this chapter shall
exist shall constitute a separate violation.