Politics
Tampa council to hold final vote on fertilizer ban
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Published: June 23, 2011
TAMPA - Representatives for the lawn care, retail and fertilizer industries have been lobbying Tampa City Council members and voters who put them in office to reject some of the state's toughest fertilizer rules.
Today, council members take a final vote on a proposed ordinance that would ban the sale and use of nitrogen and phosphorus-based fertilizers during the rainy season, from June 1 to Sept. 30. If approved, the restrictions won't go into effect until June 1, 2012.
A previous vote on the measure was approved 6 to 1, with Councilman Frank Reddick casting the dissenting vote, citing a potential impact on retailers from a loss of sales.
Mayor Bob Buckhorn has said he will sign the measure if council approves it.
The move comes as the window for local governments to pass point-of-sale restrictions on fertilizers is closing, with a state law prohibiting bans going into effect on July 1.
Some city residents have received calls from a Tallahassee telephone number urging them to contact council members at City Hall and tell them to vote against the proposed ban. Council members said they have received only a few calls.
Retailers who sell fertilizers also have been lobbying council members and Mayor Bob Buckhorn to reject the proposed ban.
In a letter to council members, Michael Chenard, director of corporate sustainability for Lowe's, urges them to allow the state law prohibiting fertilizer bans to take effect.
"Prohibiting the sale of fertilizers in one municipality would simply shift purchases to neighboring towns and counties and ultimately fail to achieve the goal," he wrote.
Landscaping companies have lobbied council members to exempt professionals from the rules, but it doesn't appear those efforts will succeed.
City Attorney Jim Shimberg said council members could revisit the ordinance in a few months and make modifications if they decided that the regulations were too severe.
Statewide, at least 50 municipalities have approved seasonal nitrogen-based fertilizer bans to varying degrees, including St. Petersburg, Sarasota and Pinellas counties.
Hillsborough County Commission restricts homeowners from applying nitrogen fertilizer before heavy rainfalls and prohibits the use of fertilizer within 10 feet of a body of water.
Despite the lobbying efforts, several council members say they still support the ban.
"My position hasn't changed one iota," said Council Chairman Charlie Miranda.
The council meets at 9 a.m. in old City Hall at 315 E. Kennedy Blvd. in downtown.
cwade@tampatrib.com (813) 259-7679
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