Maryland passes lawn fertilizer bill to help reduce polluted stormwater runoff

May 20, 2011 -- The state of Maryland has passed legislation aimed at reducing polluted stormwater runoff from lawns.

The bill limits nitrogen and bans most phosphorus in fertilizers used by most consumers. It also restricts when it can be applied and establishes a certification program for commercial applicators.

EPA applauded Governor O'Malley and the Maryland House and Senate for passing the legislation, which is expected to minimize polluted runoff from lawns and achieve measureable reductions in nitrogen and phosphorus to local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay.

The bill will help the state meet the rigorous Chesapeake Bay TMDL. Maryland, Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia are expected to have all nutrient-reduction practices in place to meet the limits in the 'pollution diet' by 2025, with 60 percent of the effort completed by 2017.

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