Md. senator proposes no-phosphorus lawn fertilizer

February 2008

U.S. Water News Online

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- One Maryland senator wants to take phosphorus out of most lawn fertilizers.

Democratic Senator Brian Frosh of Montgomery County has proposed a bill to require Marylanders to use no-phosphorus fertilizer for all established lawns. Phosphorus would still be allowed in fertilizer for new lawns.

Frosh says his bill would not set up a lawn police to punish homeowners using phosphorus fertilizer. But he says the phosphorus isn't needed for established lawns and that fertilizer makers should label the no-phosphorus fertilizer for older lawns.

Phosphorous, along with nitrogen, is a nutrient that can turn aquatic habitat into dead zones when excessive amounts are dumped through residential and farm runoff and waste water.

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