SportsTurf provides current, practical and technical content on issues relevant to sports turf managers, including facilities managers. Most readers are athletic field managers from the professional level through parks and recreation, universities.
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/96775
FieldScience | By Rob Stevenson New fertilizer laws call for enhanced efficiency Editor's note: This article was submitted by Agrium Advanced Technologies; it discusses how a complex web of legislation is affecting residential and commercial fertilizer applications across the US. NE OF THE MOST SEN SITIVE ISSUES facing the turfgrass industry today is the movement to limit the use of fertilizers—or in extreme cases, to ban them altogether. Led by environmental activists at a number of levels, there is growing concern about environmental contamination from fertilizers in both residential and commercial settings. As a result, many states are moving to enact legislation which would restrict or prohibit fertilizer applications. In April 2011, the state of Maryland passed new laws that affect numerous aspects of turf and ornamental fertilization, including product usage, ingredients, labeling and more. This year, the New Jersey legislature ratified a bill which is being called the toughest fertilizer law ever. This law is being hailed by some proponents as a landmark, and is being closely observed by activists in nearby states who want to push for similar legislation. O 12 SportsTurf | December 2012 In Florida, there is intense disagreement about who has the legal authority to impose fertilizer bans or restrictions. Dozens of individual counties and municipalities across the state have already crafted their own laws to determine how, when and where fertilizers may be used. "LOGISTICAL NIGHTMARE" "The debate is generating a lot of emotion on both sides of the argument," said Sarah Fox, Sustainability Initiatives specialist, Agrium Advanced Technologies (AAT). "Aside from personal feelings, having different laws from county to county in any state would be a financial and logistical nightmare." On the other hand, many people around Florida believe that broad-based statewide laws cannot properly address their unique local concerns and specific regional challenges. In fact, some counties are pushing to get "emergency" anti-fertilizer laws onto their books before the state rules take effect. "It's all very complicated, and I don't see it getting any less complicated in the near future," said Alan Blaylock, agronomy manager, AAT. "Policy makers are reacting to the fears of their constituents and interest groups with what seems like a logical solution. But part of the problem is these responses are often made without an understanding of the science of nutrient management and its consequences." WHAT'S BEHIND THE LEGISLATION? Why are so many lawmakers suddenly jumping on the anti-fertilizer bandwagon? The crux of the issue is fertilizer runoff, which can often be traced to improper application, especially of traditional, quickrelease products. Unused plant nutrients may migrate through the soil for several reasons. Once that happens, they are considered pollutants. Water and gravity naturally deposit those escaped fertilizer elements in nearby ponds, lakes and streams, contributing to a problem known as eutrophication. Eutrophication occurs when excess nitrogen and phosphorus get into the water. They nourish the aquatic plants and other organisms there, especially algae. "When people see algal blooms in their neighborhood pond or local body of water, they call their homeowners' association and want something done to clean it up," said www.sportsturfonline.com