Bills have been introduced in the Minnesota legislature to expand restrictions imposed by the Minnesota Phosphorus Lawn Fertilizer Law, which went into full effect this January. Introduced as HF 2005 by Rep. McNamara, and SF 1999 by Sen. Sparks, the bills would expand the requirement for zero percent phosphate lawn fertilizer use from the Twin Cities metro area to statewide. The current law allows use of up to three percent phosphate lawn fertilizer outside of the seven county Twin Cities metro area.

The bill has gained committee approval in the House and has moved back to the House floor for a vote. A Senate committee hearing has not been scheduled as of March 12, but Rep. McNamara sees strong support in both the House and Senate, and anticipates the bill passing this legislative session. If passed, the requirement for statewide zero percent phosphate lawn fertilizer use is anticipated to become effective January 2006.

While anticipating the results of this legislation, it is good to be familiar with the current Minnesota Lawn Fertilizer Law. There is confusion! Key points to be aware of are:

• Metro and non-metro areas are under different restrictions (the above bills would move to uniform restrictions state-wide).
• It is a restriction, not a ban! Lawn fertilizer higher than zero percent phosphate in the metro, and three percent phosphate in nonmetro, can be used when need is indicated.
• It is a restriction on use, not on sale. Stores are free to sell phosphorus lawn fertilizer, or not to sell phosphorus-free lawn fertilizer. It is up to the user to purchase the correct product.

More information is available at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Web site or by calling (800) 967-2474.

Enforcement of the law is the responsibility of local municipalities - cities, counties, and townships. Few, however, see enforcement as being practicable; most see that the law’s real value is raising people’s awareness and making phosphorus-free lawn fertilizer widely available. In that regard, the law is successful. People are more aware of the connection between phosphorus runoff and green lakes, and phosphorus-free lawn fertilizer is more easily found in the metro area since the law was created in 2002.

Posted in Care of Shoreland Property |