Assembly votes for cleaner lakes: Bill to restrict phosphorus in lawn fertilizer passes unanimously

Released 2/24/09. Contact Tami Jackson (608) 661-4313, lakeinfo@wisconsinlakes.org)

If you are one of the many Wisconsin citizens who head out to the lake to enjoy good fishing, swimming, touring the water on your favorite boat, or just getting away from it all, the state Assembly has passed a bill aimed at keeping our waters a little cleaner.

The "Clean Lakes" bill (AB 3), would prohibit the display, sale, and use of lawn fertilizer containing phosphorus, with certain reasonable exceptions. This bill—introduced by Rep. Spencer Black and Rep Garey Bies—is modeled after Dane County's existing and successful county ordinance.

Why worry about phosphorus? Nutrients like phosphorus—a common ingredient in lawn fertilizer—are degrading 90% of Wisconsin’s inland lakes. Lakes can be extremely sensitive to even small amounts of phosphorus runoff.

Phosphorus is the fuel that transforms clear lakes into an algae laden, smelly green soup. Algae can make lakes unswimable, suffocate game fish, and choke out good plants. High phosphorus levels can also create conditions where nutrient-loving invasive species—like Eurasian watermilfoil and carp—can thrive.

Why worry about lawn fertilizer? Excess phosphorus from lawns washes directly into our lakes and streams. Recent data estimates average phosphorus levels in residential Wisconsin lawns have double the phosphorus (105 ppm) of the average farm field; that’s 5 times more phosphorus a healthy lawn needs.

Plants don’t absorb more phosphorus than they can use. When the soil is saturated with too much Phosphorus, it starts bleeding out, toward streams and lakes.

Lawn fertilizer is not the only source of nutrients in our lakes, but preventing unnecessary phosphorus from being applied can make a significant difference for some lakes, and is one needed step towards halting the avalanche of nutrients that are polluting our lakes.

“This bill is one of the first steps of many we will be taking this legislative session to clean and protect our water resources,” says Rep. Spencer Black, Assembly Natural Resources Committee chair.

"This is a great day for the health of Wisconsin's lakes and rivers. When this legislation becomes law we will reduce excess nutrient runoff into our waters and improve the quality of one of our state's most cherished resources," says Rep. Garey Bies.

“Using phosphorus free lawn fertilizer is an easy way everyone can contribute to better water quality—regardless of where they live. It’s community service for our lakes,” says Earl Cook, Wisconsin Association of Lakes President.

This simple, common sense bill doesn’t result in any increased costs for consumers, retailers, or taxpayers. There have been no increased regulatory burdens or enforcement issues where it has been implemented. It just helps keep our waters a little cleaner.

“Phosphorus fertilizers have a powerful effect on lake water quality. We are pleased the Assembly has acted quickly to get this bill on the books,” said Bill O’Connor, Wisconsin Association of Lakes Legislative Counselor. “We hope the summer of 2009 will mark the end of widespread use of phosphorus containing fertilizers on Wisconsin lawns.”