Spokane7
50°
March 1, 2011 in City
House approves bill to limit use of lawn fertilizers containing phosporus
OLYMPIA – Washington homeowners would be restricted from putting fertilizer with phosphorus on healthy lawns under a bill that passed the House Monday.
Despite complaints from Republicans that homeowners should be able to decide what fertilizer to put on their grass or that restrictions will send grass-growers across the border into Idaho for bootleg lawn spreads, Democrats passed a bill sought by Spokane and other cities seeking to cut down on phosphorus in nearby lakes and streams.
State Rep. Andy Billig, D-Spokane, the bill’s sponsor, said similar restrictions in other states have been successful in lowering phosphorus levels that boost algae growth. The bill allows phosphorus fertilizers for new lawns, restoring dead lawns, for golf courses and for agricultural uses; it requires stores to sell non-phosphorus fertilizer for healthy lawns.
“Phosphorus is necessary in some uses but it is not necessary for a healthy lawn,” Billig said.
Some studies show phosphorus is more likely to be washed off from healthy lawns into storm drains by rain or watering, although the validity of those studies was a bone of contention in Monday’s debate.
Representatives from Eastern Washington dominated much of the debate, with Republicans from suburban and rural areas arguing it was a bad idea. State Rep. Matt Shea, R-Spokane Valley, argued a previous ban on phosphorus in dishwasher detergent sent his constituents across the border to the east. “The folks in Spokane Valley are going to go to Idaho again.”
State Rep. Joe Schmick, R-Colfax, agreed, saying the bill should be renamed the Idaho Development of Commerce Act. “We are exporting commerce … for things that sound good.”
State Rep. Shelly Short, R-Addy, said phosphorus applied properly binds in the roots and is not likely to run off. Algae growth in lakes is the result of many things, including human and animal waste, not just fertilizer.
“The citizens of this state are not idiots,” said state Rep. Charles Ross, R-Naches. “My neighbor can adequately figure out how to fertilize his 50-by-100-foot lawn.”
But state Rep. Jeff Morris, D-Mount Vernon, said the bill has the support of retailers and cities, and is really about clean water: “If we don’t have drinkable water, we’re not going to have economic growth.”
And lawns will be just as green, said Billig, adding that he’s a part owner of the Spokane Indians baseball team: “We have the nicest patch of grass in all of Eastern Washington. It will be just as nice (after this bill becomes law) as before.”
The bill now goes to the Senate, which passed a similar bill last year.
Romney/Paul split weighing on county GOP 
riverlaw on March 01 at 6:29 a.m.
Does going to Idaho really matter? It doesn’t seem to for dishwasher detergent anymore — check out http://cforjustice.org/2011/02/16/mythbuster/
Ninch on March 01 at 8:12 a.m.
Way too many people overfertilize their lawns and thus pollute. This idea of over-the-top green grass (with no bugs) is so anathema to living here in the Western USA/Eastern Washington.
Orange on March 01 at 10:42 a.m.
I work out of town, get my detergents and now fertilizer outside the boundries of Spokane County. Ban away Andy. By the way, how’s the marijuana legalization efforts going Andy? Not too good eh?
soccermomsusie on March 01 at 1:32 p.m.
Andy Billig!!!! We don’t care if phosphorus does or doesn’t work in fertilizer! I take our old motor oil and dump it on my lawn and garden whenever my husband changes The Hummer’s oil. It doesn’t seem to help things, but that is not going to stop me from pouring it onto my begonias. It is my right!!!
Next thing you know, government is going to tell me we can’t empty the RV’s sewage into the storm drains.
I can’t help that think that Billig’s ties to the Spokane Indians comes into this. Make the Spokane River clearer for those photo shots of Avista Stadium.
This has me very angry because ever since they banned phosphates in our dishwasher detergent, I have been washing my dishes with Miracle Grow, Weed and Feed or whatever phosphate fertilizer is on sale. Now you are going to take this away too?!?!?!
Look for more than the usual number of Idahoans driving fertilizer-laden delivery trucks to Spokane now.
HEAR OUR VOICE!!!!!!
MrNatural on March 01 at 2:28 p.m.
Thanks for the link Rick…as I suspected…most of the dishwashing detergent available in Idaho is low-free of phosphate…
Maybe we can get people to confuse phosphate with fluoride (doubt it would be that hard)….and at least they’ll stop overgrazing :)
ceyer on March 01 at 3:08 p.m.
Susie (my favorite s-r commenter by far and a brilliant satirist), Orange and Doug “Algae Plume” Clark continue to argue the same point. They’ll pollute all they want and go out of their way to do it, even if the results on their lawns, dishes and laundry aren’t as good.
Orange, your cheap shot on Andy’s rational policy positions show your true colors. You’re all about government banning if it’s something you want to see banned.
let_jani_in_please on March 03 at 9:17 a.m.
I am responding to soccermomsusie who wrote:
“Next thing you know, government is going to tell me we can’t empty the RV’s sewage into the storm drains.”
Sorry Susie, but it is illegal already for you to dump your RV sewage into the storm drain. Aside from the law, why would you want to send your poop right into the Spokane River anyway? Don’t you ever wade or swim in the river? Don’t you know children who may use the river? When you pour your poop into it, that’s what they’d be swimming in! Poop must go to the wastewater treatment plant via your toilet or sink.
Please! NOTHING BUT RAIN DOWN THE (storm) DRAIN.