TAMPA — The Tampa Bay Estuary Program wants cities and countie to adopt its recently passed model ordinance banning the sale and use of nitrogen fertilizers from June 1 through Sept. 30.

The group's policy and management board seeks to reduce the amount of nitrogen washing from properties into lakes, streams and rivers that drain into Tampa Bay during the rainy season.

The model ordinance also prohibits putting down fertilizers within 10 feet of ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, ditches or any other waterway.

It will be up to local governments to decide whether or not they want to adopt the ordinance.

While the ordinance would allow enforcement officers to cite offenders and issue stiff fines for violations, proponents are hoping that consumer education rather than enforcement will convince property owners to use fertilizers containing nitrogen only in the spring and the fall, when they're less likely to end up in the region's waterways.

“Summer free of fertilizer chemical proposed,” St. Petersburg Times, Nov. 22

“TBEP Coordinating Regional Effort to Meet New Regulatory Limits on Nitrogen in Tampa Bay,” Tampa Bay Estuary Program news release