[Adopted 9-15-2016 by Ord. No. 16-57]
The purpose of this article is 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
at commercial farms.
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 article clearly demonstrates
a different meaning. The word "shall" is always mandatory and not
merely directory.
The land area, 10 feet in width, adjacent to any waterbody.
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 waterbody.
D.
Apply fertilizer more than 15 days prior to the start of or at any
time after the end of the recognized growing season.
A.
No person shall 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 soil's surface, directly to the feeder roots.
(3)
Application of phosphorus fertilizer to residential container plantings,
flowerbeds, or vegetable gardens.
