URGENT ISSUE
Phosphorus free lawn fertilizer bill (Wisconsin SB
197) advances
From: Wisconsin Association
of Lakes
Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2007 4:16 PM
Hello all,
Thank you for your continued support of the proposed
statewide ban on phosphorus in lawn fertilizer (SB 197). Banning phosphorus
in lawn fertilizer is one easy step to take as we continue to work towards
reducing phosphorus in our lakes. The Senate Natural Resources Committee
held an Executive Session on the bill today to consider an amendment to
the that would exempt certain niche fertilizer products under the bill,
and vote to send the bill to the full Senate for consideration.
There are some niche market fertilizer products that are made from sewage treatment plant waste or manures, which naturally contain phosphorus. These products typically have a low phosphorus content, but because of the source of phosphorus, this limited set of products cannot be formulated to be entirely phosphorus free. The amendment to the bill exempted such products made from manure or finished sewage sludge. WAL is supportive of this amendment.
The Committee voted 5-0 to amend the bill. The Committee voted 4-1 to send the bill to the full Senate for consideration. Please thank Senators Mark Miller, Robert Jauch, Robert Wirch, and Dale Schultz for sending this bill to the full Senate for consideration. The lone dissenter on the committee was Senator Neal Kedzie.
Of course, we would not be seeing such progress on this issue if it were not for the efforts of local lake people working to see this bill move forward. Please help spread the word to others who are interested in this issue.
Although there are many steps before this phosphorus free lawn fertilizer initiative becomes law, today's Senate Committee action is a positive first step. We will keep you informed as this bill progresses and welcome your continued participation as we work towards a new state law.
Next Steps:
The Senate can now schedule a vote on SB 197. If the Senate approves, the bill will be referred to the Assembly Natural Resources Committee. The Assembly Committee would then begin their process to consider the bill.
Thanks for all your work for Wisconsin lakes,
Tami Jackson
Development and Communications Director
Wisconsin Association of Lakes
4513 Vernon Blvd, Suite 101
Madison, WI 53705
608-661-4313 phone
tdjackson@chorus.net