Model Nitrogen Fertilizer Ordinance

Model Nitrogen Fertilizer Ordinance A Step Toward Sustainability Willie deCamp & Michael Borgatti Save Barnegat Bay 906-B Grand Central Ave., Lavallette, NJ, 08730 730.830.3600 848.459.6436 NJDEP Fertilizer Work Group Trenton, NJ. October 28, 2008

Dispelling Misconceptions In fact: • SBB ordinance does NOT ban all nitrogen • Impractical, unnecessary, non-scientific • Fertilizer is a significant, but not the primary, source of N in Barnegat Bay. • Multi–pronged solutions are vital. • SBB ordinance will not end eutrophication. • But it will greatly reduce total N. • Fertilizer & landscapers are not “bad”!

Basic Requirements • Eliminates products with greater than 30% total N • Emphasizes high percentages of slow release nitrogen (at least 40% of the N) • Only allows sale of those products allowed for use • No application outside the USDA growing season. (Nov. 15 to March 1)

Other Elements • Exempts Golf Courses and Farms • Recommends soil testing • Recommends no more than four applications per year

Advantages of a two-tiered application model • If you use more slow release, you are allowed more N • Accommodates professionals & homeowners who feel their lawns benefit from more N • Makes many organic fertilizers eligible

Practicality & Enforceability • Simplicity: • The only products available for sale are those permitted for use. • No “fertilizer police”. • Enforcement upon homeowner would arise only in the context of out-of-season application or application on hard surfaces or during rain. • Registration of Landscapers • Landscapers know certification could be revoked.

Standing on solid legal ground 1 - County Environmental Health Act (CEHA) allows nitrogen to be regulated by the County as a contaminant. 2 - Under NJ law an ordinance will be upheld if the science is “reasonably debatable”. 3 - Similar to laws in NY, FL, and MN that have been upheld. 4 – Does not violate restraint of trade or interstate commerce protections

Developing Conservative Estimates: Key Steps • 1. SBB reviewed the relevant scientific literature, including • Ayers et al 2001; Hunchak-Kariouk and Nicholson 2001; Castro et al. 2003; Guillard and Kopp 2004; Kennish et al. 2007; Muholland et al. 2007. • 2. SBB examined existing legislation • Florida, New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, New Jersey. • 3. Interpreting Industry data • Scotts, U.S.D.A., U.S. Census.

Step 1: Examine the Science • “23-34% of ground-water sample[s]…were above the EPA recommended .71 mg/l N criteria for rivers and streams.” (Weiben, 2007) • “Human activities associated with urban and agricultural land uses are the principle factors adversely affecting aquatic health throughout New Jersey” (Ayers et al. 2000) M. Serfes, NJDEP, NJGS. NJ Water Monitoring Council Meeting September 6, 2007.

Step 2: Look at the Law * Controls product labeling specifically

Step 3: Analyze industry and USDA data A B C

Step 3: Continued Leaching Rates Guillard & Kopp 2004

Thank you. We would enjoy speaking with any of you further. Michael Borgatti 848-459-6436 michael.borgatti@gmail.com Willie deCamp 732-830-3600 wmdecamp@yahoo.com

Florida adopted the most comprehensive fertilizer law in the nation Florida strengths Strong scientific backing Statewide Stakeholder cooperation Florida weaknesses Nearly impossible to enforce Very hard for the homeowner to understand and comply with Allows 100% water soluble N SBB’s ordinance is an improvement on Florida Stronger scientific backing Easy to enforce. Point of sale requirements Uniform everywhere Simple for homeowner Requires “slow release”, but allows significant fast acting Seasonal restrictions are supported by NJ Model Fertilizer ordinance & science (Guillard) Step 2: Look at the law

Model Nitrogen Fertilizer Ordinance