news release
People are always asking, “What can we do to help the lagoon?” Observing the upcoming fertilizer ban is an opportunity to do so.
All residents of Indian River County, Sebastian, City of Vero Beach, Indian River Shores and Orchid are subject to a local ban that starts June 1st and ends September 30th. It coincides with the start of our rainy season when more nutrients such as the nitrogen and phosphorous in fertilizer are likely to be washed from our lawns, driveways and roads into the storm water system and, ultimately, into our local waters such as the Indian River Lagoon. These excess nutrients are the fuel for toxic algae blooms that impair marine life and human health.
No fertilizer containing Phosphorous is to be used anytime. All fertilizers must contain at least 50% slow release Nitrogen. If your community uses reuse water for irrigation, no fertilizer is ever necessary as there are ample nutrients already in the reuse water. Finally, no fertilizer is to be applied within 10 feet of any water body and grass clippings are not to be blown into storm drains, canals, the lagoon or onto roadways.
If you or your association uses a lawn care provider, please discuss these regulations with them. For details regarding the ordinance and fertilizing tips, please see www.ircgov.com or email Alexis Peralta, the County’s Storm water educator and fertilizer enforcement officer, at aperalta@ircgov.com.
Complying with the fertilizer ordinance and reporting any violators is one way we can all personally contribute to cleaning up our local waters.
Indian River Guardian 