Miami-Dade County Department of Environmental Resources Management is reminding residents and businesses that the county’s annual fertilizer restriction period begins May 15 and runs through Oct. 31 as part of an effort to protect the health of Biscayne Bay.
The restrictions were established under Miami-Dade County’s 2021 Fertilizer Ordinance and prohibit the use of fertilizers containing nitrogen or phosphorus on lawns and landscape plants in residential and commercial areas during the rainy season.
County officials say the measure is aimed at reducing nutrient pollution in Biscayne Bay caused by fertilizer runoff during periods of heavy rainfall.
“Skipping fertilizer during the rainy season is one of the simplest steps residents can take to protect Biscayne Bay,” Daniella Levine Cava said in a statement. “It may seem small, but it makes a tremendous difference in reducing pollution and keeping our Bay healthy.”
Levine Cava noted that Biscayne Bay generates an estimated $64 billion annually for the local economy.
During the rainy season, fertilizers applied to lawns and landscaping can wash into stormwater systems, canals and groundwater before eventually reaching Biscayne Bay. According to county officials, fertilizers containing nitrogen and phosphorus contribute to algal blooms that block sunlight needed for seagrass growth and reduce oxygen levels in the water, sometimes leading to fish kills and other environmental damage.
“DERM works every day to protect and restore the health of Biscayne Bay, but moments like this underscore just how essential our community’s partnership is,” said Loren Parra, chief resilience officer for Miami-Dade County and director of DERM. “Each of us has a responsibility to the Bay, and when we come together in that shared commitment, we can create meaningful, lasting improvements for this vital resource.”
The county said outreach materials and public service announcements related to the fertilizer restrictions are available in English, Spanish and Creole on the Miami-Dade County website.
