Sanibel bans usage of certain fertilizers through September

Sanibel's ban on the application of fertilizers containing nitrogen or phosphorus went into effect Monday.

The ban on these fertilizers will run from July 1 to September 30 in an effort to minimize local and regional nutrient pollution in local waterways.

The city is reminding residents and fertilizer applicators that:

• It is a violation of City Ordinance to apply fertilizers containing nitrogen and phosphorus during the July 1-September 30 time frame
• Fertilizers cannot be applied within 25 feet of a body of water, including lakes, ponds, canals, wetlands, and the Sanibel Slough
• Fertilizers cannot be applied to impervious surfaces such as roads, driveways, and sidewalks. All fertilizer spills should be cleaned up immediately
• Fertilizers cannot be applied to stormwater conveyance systems or catch basins

The fertilizer ban was implemented to prevent algae blooms, as the nitrogen and phosphorus in some fertilizers can feed algae when applied incorrectly, resulting in a bloom.

To learn more about Sanibel's fertilizer ordinance, click here.