[HISTORY: Adopted by Borough Council of the Borough of Medford Lakes 2-24-2010 by Ord. No. 572. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Fees — See Ch.112.
Pesticides — See Ch.175.
Stormwater management — See Ch. 204.
An ordinance 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.
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. 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.
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.
BUFFER
The land area, 10 feet in width, adjacent to any water body.
COMMERCIAL APPLICATOR
Any person who uses or supervises the use of fertilizer on a "for hire" basis. Examples of commercial applicators are those who work for landscapers, tree services, weed control firms, etc.
FERTILIZER
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.
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE
As defined in Chapter 145, § 145-12 of the Medford Lakes Development Regulations.
PERSON
Any individual, corporation, company, partnership, firm, association, or political subdivision of this state subject to municipal jurisdiction.
PHOSPHORUS FERTILIZER
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.
SOILS TEST
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.
WATER BODY
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 during active or intermittent rainfall or when significant rainfall is forecast for the immediate future.
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, defined as Zone 6b, March 1 to October 15.
E. 
No commercial applicator shall apply fertilizer without displaying an identifying flag issued to each registered commercial applicator upon registration by the Borough Clerk.
Application of phosphorus fertilizer is prohibited. The Medford Lakes Country Club will be exempt from the prohibition against the application of phosphorous fertilizer until January 1, 2011.
No commercial applicator shall act or perform any services as a contractor or subcontractor within Medford Lakes Borough without first registering with the Medford Lakes Clerk, as herein provided.
A. 
All applications for commercial applicator registration shall be made in writing to the Medford Lakes Borough Clerk upon forms furnished by the Borough.
B. 
Each application shall state:
(1) 
The name and business address of the applicant.
(2) 
A statement that the applicant is familiar with all pertinent Medford Lakes Borough ordinances, codes and regulations and agrees to fully comply with the same.
All registrations shall be valid for one calendar year from January 1 to December 31. The registration fee for the commercial applicator registration shall be in accordance with the Borough's Fee Schedule as modified from time to time.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 112, Art. II, Fees Schedule.
This chapter shall be enforced by the Medford Lakes Police Department and the Borough Code Enforcement Officer.
[Amended 4-23-2014 by Ord. No. 615]
Any person, firm, corporation, association or legal party whatsoever who or which shall violate, or authorize or procure a violation, or cause to be violated, any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be punishable as provided under the general penalty provisions found at § 1-15 of this Code. This, however, shall not apply against any municipal employee or officer that authorizes action by permit or otherwise in the ordinary course of their duties.