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Tampa Nitrogen Fertilizer Ban?01-26-09 | News

Tampa Nitrogen Fertilizer Ban?

The Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission considered an ordinance January 15th that would ban summer nitrogen fertilizer use. The ban seeks to prevent harmful algae blooms like that depicted, but has its opponents.

The Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission recently discussed an ordinance that would ban the use of nitrogen fertilizers during the summer rainy season-from June 1st to Sept. 30th. Officials at the Tampa Bay Estuary claim the move would keep 84 tons of nitrogen a year from entering the bay.

The group claims the compound creates harmful algae blooms that can kill marine life. Supporters also note the ordinance would save millions in back-end cleanup that would be required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Sierra club regional representative Phil Compton also claimed that iron-rich and slow-release nitrogen products could be just as effective if applied earlier. According to the St. Petersburg Times, other supporters claim landscape contractors won?EUR??,,????'?????<

Opponents, including some landscape professionals, have pointed out potential problems. University of Florida research director George Hochmuth claimed skipping summer fertilizer wouldn?EUR??,,????'?????<

Source: St. Petersburg Times