Spokane7
65°
April 2, 2011 in City
New bill restricts fertilizers for lawns
Phosphorus would be banned in 2013
OLYMPIA – The Legislature on Friday approved a ban on lawn fertilizers that contain phosphorus.
On a 56-37 vote, the House of Representatives sent the governor a bill that restricts the sale of that type of fertilizer with that chemical, starting in 2013.
The bill, HB 1489, went through several changes in the past two months. The final version allows the use of phosphorus-laced fertilizers to start a new lawn or to repair a damaged one but bans it on healthy lawns.
It doesn’t restrict phosphorus in fertilizers for farming, flower or vegetable gardens or houseplants.
The theory behind the restriction – disputed during hearings and floor debates – is that phosphorus is less likely to bind with the soil when applied to healthy lawns, and with rain or over-watering more likely to run off the lawn, down the storm drain and into the nearby streams, rivers and lakes. Once there, it tends to help algae grow.
The bill was supported by the city of Spokane as a way to cut down on phosphorus loading in the Spokane River and Lake Spokane. It now goes to Gov. Chris Gregoire who has the choice to sign it or veto it.
In 2006, Gregoire signed a bill to ban phosphorus in dishwashing detergents, making Washington the first state in the nation to do so. The ban went into effect in Spokane, Whatcom and Clark counties in 2008 and in the rest of the state last summer.
Phosphorus in runoff causes accelerated plant and algae growth in lakes and rivers. As the plants die, bacteria consume the oxygen needed for the survival of fish and other aquatic life, according to the Washington State Department of Ecology.
Supermajority for taxes unconstitutional, judge rules 
polistra on April 02 at 3:23 p.m.
And how will this be enforced? Will the DEQ hire an army of lawn monitors to examine every lawn in every town? Will they install security cameras on every house to watch at all hours for improper fertilizing? Agh, now I’ve given them the idea.
bartm on April 02 at 4:16 p.m.
It’s a ban on sale - not use.
So really it’s a phosphorus management strategy. If you need it for your lawn, you will still be able to get it.
This really isn’t as complicated as you are fearing it is. Sorry to bust your conspiracy theory bubble.
I know the knee-jerk reaction here for the “limited gov’t” people is to bash this bill. But look.
1) reduces phosphorus from entering our rivers and lakes
2) phosphorus is an expensive agent, thus you’ll get cheaper fertilizer
3) phosphorus isn’t needed for green lawns - only for root growth and stability
4) saves municipalities money by reducing how much they have to treat
It’s simple, cost-effective and really a no-brainer.
Take off your tin foil hats and accept this for what it is. A small, yet significant step in the quest for cleaner waters in our state.
The first of many
Bart Mihailovich
Spokane Riverkeeper