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NEWS
Aquatic invasive species policy
This bill offers some technical changes to improve upon the “illegal to transport” language that was passed in the supplemental budget bill in May of 2008. All aquatic plants and animals would be required to be removed from boats or any other equipment before it is transported on public highways. Enforcement authority is also broadened under the bill.
SB 123 has passed both houses of the state legislature and is awaiting the Governor’s signature to become law.
Governor Doyle signed the "Clean Lakes" bill into law on April 14th.
Wisconsin now has a statewide law which prohibits the display, sale, and use of lawn fertilizer containing phosphorus, with certain reasonable exceptions.
The prohibitions against display, sale, and use of phosphorus lawn fertilizer will take effect next year (the bill specified that changes will take effect 12 months after it was signed into law). The delay gives retailers time to order phosphorus free lawn fertilizer for next year; many stores place inventory orders a year in advance.
Please help build awareness within your lake communities of the impacts phosphorus lawn fertilizer can have on our lakes and the forthcoming change in the law.
Now that the bill has been signed into law it can be referred to as 2009 Wisconsin Act 9, which is available online.
This new law is the culmination of several years of advocacy work by the Wisconsin Association of Lakes.
Bill to restrict phosphorus in lawn fertilizer passes unanimously
If you are one of the many Wisconsin citizens who head out to the lake to enjoy good fishing, swimming, touring the water on your favorite boat, or just getting away from it all, the state Assembly has passed a bill aimed at keeping our waters a little cleaner.
The "Clean Lakes" bill (AB 3), would prohibit the display, sale, and use of lawn fertilizer containing phosphorus, with certain reasonable exceptions. This bill—introduced by Rep. Spencer Black and Rep Garey Bies—is modeled after Dane County's existing and successful county ordinance.
Why worry about phosphorus? Nutrients like phosphorus—a common ingredient in lawn fertilizer—are degrading 90% of Wisconsin’s inland lakes. Lakes can be extremely sensitive to even small amounts of phosphorus runoff.
Phosphorus is the fuel that transforms clear lakes into an algae laden, smelly green soup. Algae can make lakes unswimable, suffocate game fish, and choke out good plants. High phosphorus levels can also create conditions where nutrient-loving invasive species—like Eurasian watermilfoil and carp—can thrive.
Why worry about lawn fertilizer? Excess phosphorus from lawns washes directly into our lakes and streams. Recent data estimates average phosphorus levels in residential Wisconsin lawns have double the phosphorus (105 ppm) of the average farm field; that’s 5 times more phosphorus a healthy lawn needs.
Plants don’t absorb more phosphorus than they can use. When the soil is saturated with too much Phosphorus, it starts bleeding out, toward streams and lakes.
Lawn fertilizer is not the only source of nutrients in our lakes, but preventing unnecessary phosphorus from being applied can make a significant difference for some lakes, and is one needed step towards halting the avalanche of nutrients that are polluting our lakes.
“This bill is one of the first steps of many we will be taking this legislative session to clean and protect our water resources,” says Rep. Spencer Black, Assembly Natural Resources Committee chair.
"This is a great day for the health of Wisconsin's lakes and rivers. When this legislation becomes law we will reduce excess nutrient runoff into our waters and improve the quality of one of our state's most cherished resources," says Rep. Garey Bies.
“Using phosphorus free lawn fertilizer is an easy way everyone can contribute to better water quality—regardless of where they live. It’s community service for our lakes,” says Earl Cook, Wisconsin Association of Lakes President.
This simple, common sense bill doesn’t result in any increased costs for consumers, retailers, or taxpayers. There have been no increased regulatory burdens or enforcement issues where it has been implemented. It just helps keep our waters a little cleaner.
“Phosphorus fertilizers have a powerful effect on lake water quality. We are pleased the Assembly has acted quickly to get this bill on the books,” said Bill O’Connor, Wisconsin Association of Lakes Legislative Counselor. “We hope the summer of 2009 will mark the end of widespread use of phosphorus containing fertilizers on Wisconsin lawns.”
Contact Tami Jackson (608) 661-4313, lakeinfo@wisconsinlakes.org for more information.
Ordinance Passed Regarding the Channel
The Three Lakes Waterfront Association drafted an Ordinance that was approved by the Three Lakes Board. For more information, view the winter newsletter (PDF format).
2,4-D - The Chemical Treatment
The accepted chemical for treating Eurasian Water Milfoil is 2,4-D, a herbicide that was commercially released in 1946 and has been widely used for over 60 years to control weeds in such crops as wheat, corn, rice and similar cereal crops. It is also found in many lawn herbicide mixtures. For more detailed information about 2,4-D, please visit this site.
Herbicide 2,4-D Deemed Safe if Applied as Directed: DNR
By Ken Anderson, News Correspondent
Vilas County News Review
January 20, 2009Chemical toxicity levels from herbicide application on the Eagle River Chain showed no residual concentrations that exceeded safe drinking water standards and did not pose an environmental risk to fish, state officials have concluded.
The first study of its kind in Wisconsin on the potential impacts of 2,4-D showed that, except for Scattering Rice Lake, chemical concentrations at all sites seven days after last spring’s treatment were less than the safe drinking water standard of 70 parts per billion (ppb).
Funded by a $25,000 grant from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the study involved water sampling in areas where Eurasian water milfoil (EWM) was poisoned in May 2008.
Michael Meyer, a specialist in the DNR’s Bureau of Integrated Sciences Services, told members of the Unified Lower Eagle River Chain of Lakes Commission last week that the chemical is safe if applied according to the directions.
TLWA Newsletters
To view a recent issue of Making Waves, Three Lakes Waterfront Newsletter, click on the issue name below.
Making Waves, Fall 2009 (PDF Document)
Making Waves, Spring 2009 (PDF Document)
Three Lakes Waterfront Association ~ PO Box 145 ~ Three Lakes, Wisconsin 54562
Email: Info@ThreeLakesWaterfrontAssociation.com
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