Lakes Legislative Weekly

February 12, 2010

House Bill 1299 - Restricting Phosphorus in Residential Lawn Fertilizer

On February 18th, the NH House Environment and Agriculture Committee will be voting on HB 1299 with our proposed amendment. 

The proposed amended bill prohibits the sale and distribution of only residential lawn fertilizer.

Phosphorus in residential lawn fertilizers is, in most cases, a completely unnecessary pollutant that ends up in our lakes and ponds.

Without proper regulation, phosphorus can encourage overabundant plant and algal growth which can lead to increased problems with toxic algal blooms and the increased growth of exotic invasive aquatic weeds. 

Luckily, residential lawn fertilizers containing low and no phosphorus are readily available today through most manufacturers with little to no price difference. 

By eliminating a significant contributor of phosphorous pollution at its manufacturing sources, we are able to greatly reduce its impact on lakes and those who use lakes. 

ACTION:  Please contact a member of the Environment and Agriculture Committee and ask them to vote Ought to Pass on HB 1299 as amended to remove phosphorus from only residential lawn fertilizer. 

Help us pass this important piece of legislation to keep our lakes clean. 

House Bill 1298 - Creation of a Septic System Commission

Unfortunately, on Thursday, February 11th, the NH House Resources, Recreation & Development Committee voted Inexpedient to Legislate (ITL) on HB 1298, the creation of a state-wide septic system commission. 

Although the Committee agreed with the intent of the bill, they felt that the House of Representatives legislative rules prevented them from supporting the bill this year. 

However, the Committee urged NH LAKES to continue to work on the challenges of septic systems and bring back the legislation next session (2011). 

During the coming weeks, I will update you on other pieces of lake-related legislation, including a bill to make the Lake Winnipesaukee speed limit permanent. 

Please visit our website regularly for the latest information. 

And, to find out who your legislators are and to contact them, visit: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/ie/whosmyleg/

Thank you,

Jared A. Teutsch
President
NH LAKES