Imagine if you had to follow different rules for pesticide and fertilizer application in every county and city in which you operate. That could happen if local communities were all able to create their own rules. Most states have some level of pesticide or fertilizer preemption laws, which means that local jurisdictions can’t create their own regulations about pesticide or fertilizer use; they have to follow the state rules. However, in states that don’t have preemption, activists are trying to get pesticide and fertilizer bans enacted locally. That’s what happened in Canada, leading to a ban on lawn pesticides. It’s also happening now in America.

Maryland doesn’t have a preemption law. Recently, Montgomery County became the first major local jurisdiction in the U.S. to ban the majority of pesticide use for both residential and commercial properties. This ban will affect local companies’ ability to create healthy landscapes free of disease, insects and invasive species.

Even if your state has preemption, opposition groups continually attempt to change that. For example, Minnesota, a state with a preemption law, saw a bill introduced into the legislature last winter, which is still pending in a committee, that would eliminate state preemption of certain pesticide ordinances in some cities.

NALP is working to ensure that landscape companies can use Environmental Protection Agency-approved products. Be active in your community, so when these issues arise, you can work with your state and national association to help stop these restrictions. Educate your community now about the benefits of the work you do to avoid these battles before they start.

Missy Henriksen is VP of 
public affairs, National Association of Landscape Professionals.