Senate committee votes to restrict phosphorus in lawn fertilizer

This past Wednesday, the Wisconsin Senate Committee on the Environment held a hearing on SB 5—called the Clean Lakes bill—that prohibits the display, sale, and use of lawn fertilizer containing phosphorus, with certain reasonable exceptions. Milwaukee Riverkeeper sent a letter supporting that bill, which was read in part at the hearing by our colleagues at River Alliance of Wisconsin. The Senate Committee voted in favor of the legislation, and a House Committee voted in favor of companion legislation (AB 3) on the same day. We thank these committee for their support of this legislation, and hope that it will be passed by the full legislature soon! Please continue to contact your State Representatives and Senators indicating your support for this Clean Lakes Bill, which will reduce phosphorus and nutrient pollution, decrease algae production, and improve water quality of our rivers and lakes. Similar phosphorus bans have been passed by the State of Minnesota and Dane County.