On April 24, Commissioner Lisa P. Jackson signed a Memorandum
of Understanding with representatives of the fertilizer industry
to address water quality problems as it relates to Phosphorus.
Through this unique partnership, two major fertilizer producers
have agreed to reduce by 50% the amount of P in their lawn
fertilizer product, distribute this product in garden centers
statewide and work with the Department on strategies to educate
the public on proper selection and use of lawn fertilizer.
Under the MOU, Lebanon Seaboard and United Industries have
agreed to make a low or no phosphorus fertilizer product for
lawns available in garden centers throughout the state starting
in Spring 2008.
The industry has further agreed to assist the DEP in meeting
its clean water act obligations by providing load reduction
information of P based on product sales. This will help DEP
calculate load reductions of P entering our waterways through
nonpoint source pollution.
In addition, two technical workgroups will be established.
One is a Stewardship Program that will include representatives
from Rutgers Cooperative Extension, DEP, New Jersey Water Supply
Authority, New Jersey Green Industry Council and watershed
stakeholder groups who will develop a statewide outreach plan
for phosphorous education with consistent information and messages
about how everyone can help reduce nonpoint source pollution.
The second workgroup, who will consist of the same partners,
will focus on evaluating whether reduction of other nutrients
in fertilizer product such as Nitrogen is possible.
Phosphorus is an element found naturally in the air, soil,
rocks and organic materials. There are many natural sources
of phosphorus such as decomposing plant matter, phosphate rock,
and fecal matter.
A limited amount of P is important for healthy plant life.
An overabundance, however, not only can harm lawns but when
washed into our waterways, stimulates excessive algae and weed
growth, which, in turn depletes the oxygen and reduces the
sunlight needed for healthy waterways.
Most of New Jersey’s soils have enough naturally occurring
P to provide plant life the nourishment it needs. Occasionally,
a fertilizer product containing P is needed to improve soil
conditions. But far too frequently, the well-intentioned application
of fertilizer ends up polluting our waters because either too
much is applied or the wrong kind of fertilizer is selected.
It washes off lawns and driveways, sidewalks and streets and
goes down stormdrains with a rain.
The importance of this partnership is that it extends beyond
the DEP and the fertilizer industry and includes all members
of the public by giving everyone a role in preventing water
pollution and in improving the water quality of the state.
By selecting a low or no P fertilizer for lawns and applying
it correctly, a major contribution to reducing nonpoint source
pollution of our waterways is achieved.
All of us have a responsibility to our environment. All of
us must contribute to the work of improving and protecting
it. This partnership is a step toward implementing actions
and behaviors that will help us meet our Clean Water Act obligations.
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