01-35RESOLUTION NO. 2001-35
A RESOLUTION RELATING TO RESTRICTIONS
ON THE USE AND SALE OF
PHOSPHOROUS LAWN FERTILIZERS
WHEREAS, the City of Otsego is tributary to significant fresh water resources;
and
WHEREAS, there has long been established a well-documented relationship
between the use of phosphorous lawn fertilizers and the degradation of water quality; and
WHEREAS, as a matter of policy, the City of Otsego desires to reduce the
consumption and use of phosphorous lawn fertilizers; and
WHEREAS, subject to unique circumstances, regional soil conditions have an
abundance of natural phosphorous; and
WHEREAS, industry leading fertilizer manufacturers and retailers have failed to
produce and market low phosphorous lawn fertilizers to the public; and
WHEREAS, over two decades of public education has had minimal effect when in
competition with corporate advertising and their refusal to formulate to local needs; and
WHEREAS, the City of Otsego finds it important to encourage the reduction in
the use of phosphorous lawn fertilizers within the City of Otsego; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of Otsego
declares its commitment to phosphorous lawn fertilizer reduction by encouraging the
adoption of regulations regarding restrictions of use and sale of phosphorous lawn
fertilizers within the City of Otsego.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the City of Otsego supports legislation
restricting the sale on any lawn fertilizer, liquid or granular, that contains any amount of
phosphorous or other compounds containing phosphorous, such as phosphate, except,
small quantities may be sold when a soil test indicates added phosphorous is needed to
support healthy turf growth, or during the first year when new area of turf is being
established. In addition, displays of lawn fertilizer containing phosphorous shall be limited
to ten percent of the quantity of non -phosphorous lawn fertilizer on display at any given
time.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, such legislation should require that displays of
such fertilizer must be clearly marked as containing phosphorous, and must be separated
from the display of other fertilizers, and that for each sale of such fertilizer the seller must
provide the buyer with a copy of the appropriate printed consumer information.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the City of Otsego does request and encourage
its state legislative delegation to consider and enact legislation to regulate and limit the use
and sale of phosphorous lawn fertilizers.
ADOPTED BY THE OTSEGO CITY COUNCILTHIS 1P DAY OF
NOVEMBER, 2001.
ATTEST:
ator
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