LAWNS GREEN, WATERS CLEAN
            Use phosphorus-free fertilizer

Contact:  Barb Welch 287-3901

Introduction. If you use fertilizer, you should be aware that phosphorus (the middle number describing the fertilizer blend), can end up in a nearby lake after a rain storm. Phosphorus turns our lakes green, lowers water quality, and ultimately depresses the economy.
More information about phosphorus and its impacts.

Resources for phosphorus-free fertilizer

• Applicators -- List of lawn care and landscape companies applying phosphorus-free fertilizer.
• Information for stores selling phosphorus-free fertilizer.
• Partial List of brands please contact Barb Welch if you want to add your product to this list.
• Phosphorus-free fertilizer tip sheet (pdf.) for stores or citizen groups.
• Research papers and articles supporting the position that phosphorus from fertilizer can runoff into surface water bodies.

New Maine Law

This law amends 38 MRSA 419,* which bans cleaning agents containing phosphates, to restrict the sale of phosphorus containing fertilizer as described in the law below:

A person may not sell fertilizer containing phosphorus at a retail store after January 1, 2008 unless the seller posts a department-approved sign that indicates that the product is not appropriate for use on nonagricultural lawns or turf due to potential adverse effects on water quality, except when:

(1) Soil test results from a laboratory indicate that additional phosphorus is needed for that lawn or turf; or

(2) The fertilizer will be used in establishing a new lawn or turf, including establishing turf at a sod farm, or for reseeding or overseeding an existing lawn or turf.

The sign required by this paragraph must be positioned between 4 and 7 feet above the floor and prominently posted where fertilizers containing phosphorus for use on lawns or turf are displayed. For purposes of this paragraph, “retail store” means a commercial establishment that sells fertilizer on the store premises for use off the premises.

* Important note about the statutory data base. A statutory data base is maintained by Maine's Office of Revisor of Statutes.  Always check the introduction to the statutory data base to determine how current the text is that you are viewing.  There may be a lag time between when an amendment takes affect and when it appears in this data base.  If you have questions about a recent statutory change, call the DEP.

Other Off-Site Links on Phosphorous Legislation and Ordinances

• Maine COLA - Maine Congress of Lake Associations is leading the legislative action here in Maine.
• Minnesota Department of Agriculture Lawn Care and Water Quality. In 2002 Minnesota became the first state in the nation to regulate phosphorus fertilizer use on lawns and turf.
• In New Jersey (scroll to p. 12) over 100 towns will be required to adopt ordinances banning the use of fertilizer containing phosphorus. Jefferson Township is an example.
• Florida Works to Ban Phospohorus Florida has several county ordinances that prohibit the use of phosphorus in fertilizers. This is an article discussing the proposal to make this a State wide initiative.
• Wisconsin has several local ordinances. Here are some examples- Dane County , Door County.
• Michigan has several local ordinances. Here is an example of an in-store sign to educate consumers about the law.

Related pages

• Economics of water quality
• List of lakes that commonly bloom in Maine
• Soil testing  (off-site)
• Maine Board of Pesticide Control Information on lawn care pest control.
• Turf Best Management Practices
• Yard Scaping - A recognition program that puts to work horticultural principles that deliver robust turf and landscapes that demand less of any chemical!
• Lawns Department of Agriculture lawn care information. Mowing, problem solving, soil and more.

Algal bloom