LANSING – State Representative Terry Brown (D-Pigeon) announced today he is introducing legislation to limit the use of fertilizer containing phosphorus on residential lawns, part of a multifaceted approach to solving Saginaw Bay's longstanding muck problem and protecting the rest of the Great Lakes.
"The muck problem has been plaguing our shores for years, and we have done enough studying and talking about it – it is time to act," Brown said. "Phosphorus is the major cause of the algae overgrowth in Saginaw Bay, so it is urgent to stop phosphorus runoff from getting into the lake. Limiting the use of fertilizer with phosphorus on residential lawns will go a long way toward protecting our most precious resource and one of the most important assets we have in creating jobs now and growing our economy."
Thousands of jobs in the tourism, boating, fishing, agriculture and shipping industries rely on healthy Great Lakes water. In addition, the heartbreaking loss of Lake Huron's beauty threatens Thumb residents' quality of life, shoreline property values and our legacy for future generations.
Phosphorus is a natural and necessary nutrient in Michigan's soil and water, but too much phosphorus causes giant algae blooms that suck the oxygen out of lakes and rivers, creating "dead zones" for fish. When the algae blooms die, they wash up on shore and end up as smelly muck.
Most Michigan lawns already have enough phosphorus, so the excess amount in fertilizer ends up washing into our lakes and rivers. Although there is no quick fix to healing Lake Huron, experts agree that controlling phosphorus must be a priority. Phosphorus is already banned in laundry soap, and efforts are underway to ban it in dish soap as well.
Brown's plan prohibits the use of fertilizer with phosphorus on residential lawns except when needed. For example, it could be used when soil tests, which are available at low cost through Michigan State University Extension, show there is not enough phosphorus in the lawn for it to be healthy or when a new lawn is just being established.
U.S. Rep. Candice Miller (R-Harrison Township) supports statewide legislation to limit residential fertilizer with phosphorus and has said she plans to push for similar measures on the federal level.
"While some counties, including some in the Thumb, are enacting or exploring their own fertilizer ordinances, a statewide law will be more effective and less confusing for residents and fertilizing companies," Brown said. "I will keep working hard to take additional actions and obtain the resources necessary to solve the muck problem in Saginaw Bay, which is Michigan's largest watershed and not just vital to our economy but also part of our heritage and our way of life. In the meantime, limiting phosphorus fertilizer used on lawns is one step we can – and must – take immediately."