Phosphorus
Lawn Fertilizer Law
Report on Law's Effectiveness
The Minnesota Phosphorus Lawn Fertilizer Law directed the Minnesota
Department of Agriculture to report in 2007 on the effectiveness
of phosphorus lawn fertilizer restrictions. That report, Effectiveness
of the Minnesota Phosphorus Lawn Fertilizer Law, was completed
March 15, 2007. Both the full 41-page report and a three page summary
are available.
Minnesota Phosphorus Lawn Fertilizer Law - A Summary
Minnesota’s Phosphorus Lawn Fertilizer
Law, was enacted to reduce over-enrichment of rivers, lakes,
and wetlands with the nutrient phosphorus. Excessive phosphorus
in surface water leads to an overabundance of algae and other
aquatic plants.
The law was enacted over a period of years starting in 2002. Restriction
on phosphorus fertilizer use on lawns and turf started in 2004 in
the seven county Twin Cities metro area and in Minnesota’s
other 80 counties in 2005. As of January 2007, Minnesota is the
only state in the nation which regulates phosphorus fertilizer use
on lawns and turf.
Look for the
middle number: The three numbers on a fertilizer container lists its percent nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content, in that order. A zero in the middle means a phosphorus-free fertilizer.
Full text of the law is found in Minnesota’s Fertilizer,
Soil Amendment, and Plant Amendment Law, Chapter
18C of the Minnesota State Statues. References to specific
sections of the law are given below.
Use of Phosphorus Fertilizer on Lawns and Turf is Restricted (Minnesota
Statues 18C.60)
Fertilizers containing phosphorus cannot be used on lawns and
turf in Minnesota unless one of the following situations exists:
- A soil test or plant tissue test shows a need for phosphorus.
- A new lawn is being established by seeding or laying sod.
- Phosphorus fertilizer is being applied on a golf course by trained
staff.
- Phosphorus fertilizer is being applied on farms growing sod
for sale.
When these situations do not exist, state law requires phosphorus-free
lawn fertilizer is to be used. The nutrient value of a fertilizer
is indicated by a series of three numbers printed on its container.
The numbers represent percent nutrient content of nitrogen, phosphorous,
and potassium, in that order. A fertilizer
marked with 22-0-15, for example, is phosphorus-free as the middle
number is zero. Zero is defined to be less
than 0.67% phosphate.
When used, phosphorus lawn fertilizer needs to be applied at rates
recommended by the University of Minnesota and approved by the Minnesota
Department of Agriculture. These rates are based on soil test results
and can be found in the University of Minnesota Extension publication Fertilizing
Lawns (FO-03338).
Options for using or disposing surplus
phosphorus lawn fertilizer.
Fertilizer on Paved Surfaces Needs to be Cleaned Up (Minnesota
Statues 18C.61)
Fertilizer spilled or spread on paved surfaces such as sidewalks,
driveways, and streets needs to be cleaned up immediately to prevent
it from washing away into rivers, lakes and wetlands. This applies
to all fertilizers, whether or not they contain phosphorus or not.
Enforcement (Minnesota Statues 18C.62)
Restrictions and prohibitions in this law are enforced by local
units of government under
their existing authority. Violations are treated as petty misdemeanors.
Preemption of Local Law (Minnesota
Statues 18C.110)
Local units of government may not adopt or enforce ordinances
regulating the sale, handling, use or disposal of phosphorus
lawn fertilizers. Exceptions to this are local ordinances regulating
the sale (not use) of phosphorus lawn fertilizer which were in
effect on August 1, 2002.
Local units of government may not prohibit or regulate the sale, handling
or use of phosphorous fertilizers for agricultural use (growing of crops
including sod farms).
Consumer Information (Minnesota Statues 18C.60)
Consumer information needs to be provided by the Minnesota Department
of Agriculture in consultation with the University of Minnesota, fertilizer
industry, lakes groups, and others.
Research Evaluation and Reporting (Minnesota
Statues 18C.60)
Evaluation of research needs to be done by the Minnesota Department
of Agriculture cooperation with the University of Minnesota and in consultation
with fertilizer industry, lakes groups, and others. A report on the effectiveness
of the phosphorus law is due to the legislature in 2007.
Definition of 0% Phosphate
Minnesota
Rule 1510.0420 sets the "investigational allowance" for
the analysis of phosphorus fertilizers at 0.67% phosphate (analysis
of phosphorus fertilizer is given in terms of phosphate, P2O5). Minnesota
Statues 18C.211 requires nutrient analysis of specialty fertilizers
(which includes lawn fertilizer) not to exceed or be below this amount.
Therefore to be labeled 0% phosphate, a lawn fertilizer cannot contain
more than 0.67% phosphate by weight.
Definition of "Local Unit of Government"
"Local unit
of government" means a statutory or home rule charter city, town,
county, soil and water conservation district, watershed district, another
special purpose district, and local or regional board (Minnesota
Statues 18B.01, subd. 14a).
MDA Contact
Ron Struss
Ron.Struss@state.mn.us
651-201-6269
Pesticide & Fertilizer Management Division
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