ANNAPOLIS, MD — Citing the need to help clean up the Chesapeake, this city in January became the first municipality in the Bay watershed to ban most uses of lawn fertilizers containing phosphorus. The ban takes effect this year, according to an article in the Bay Journal.

"We're leading the way," said Alderman Julie Stankivic, who proposed the ordinance, which was unanimously approved by the City Council.

She said the ordinance will help to ensure that homeowners do their part to reduce nutrient pollution that contributes to the degradation of the Bay.

Urban areas generate a relatively small amount of the nutrients reaching the Chesapeake, but their contribution is increasing while the nutrient load from other sources is generally decreasing.

"The dead zones are growing," Stankivic said. "We have to take individual responsibility for what we can do to improve the Bay. It's not just chicken farmers."

Beginning this year, the ordinance requires residents to have a soil test taken within the last three years indicating their soil has lower concentrations of phosphorus than recommended by lawn care experts before they can use fertilizer with phosphorus, reported the Bay Journal.

"Annapolis to ban use of fertilizer with phosphorus in most cases," by Karl Blankenship, The Bay Journal,

Annapolis Lawn Fertilizer Ordinance

As of Jan. 1, 2009, businesses selling fertilizer must display a sign informing customers of the new regulations.

The ban affects lawn fertilizer used for nonagricultural purposes such as lawns, golf courses, parks and cemeteries.

The ban does not affect fertilizer products primarily intended for gardening, trees, shrubs or indoor plants. Fertilizer containing phosphorus may continue to be used for those purposes.

No fertilizer containing phosphorus may be applied when the ground is frozen.

Any fertilizer accidentally applied or spilled onto impervious surfaces such as roads, sidewalks and parking lots must be immediately contained and cleaned up.

Newly established lawns, or lawns which have had soil tests in the last three years showing phosphorus levels are deficient according to standards set by the Maryland Department of Agriculture, may use fertilizers containing phosphorus.

Yard waste compost or similar materials that are primarily organic may continue to be applied to lawns.

As of Jan. 1, 2010, no one may display for sale any lawn fertilizer that contains more than 0% phosphorus, or any compound containing phosphorus, such as phosphate.

Lawn fertilizer that contains more than 0% phosphorus may be stored off the sales floor and sold on request. Signs may state the fertilizer is available upon request.