Pennsylvania state senators passed a bill in March that would limit how much fertilizer can be used on lawns, golf courses, parks, schools, colleges, playgrounds and athletic fields. According to Lancaster Online newspaper, the bill is now in the Pennsylvania House waiting approval.
The legislation is a modified version of a bill that was first proposed by former state Sen. Michael Brubaker in 2014, Lancaster Online reported. The goal is to reduce nutrients running off turf grass and into local streams and the Chesapeake Bay.
In addition, the bill would limit how much nitrogen can be in fertilizer, ban phosphorus except for us on new lawns and require professional fertilizer applicators to be trained and certified, Lancaster Online reported. Similar laws passed in Maryland, Virginia and New Jersey.
According to Lancaster Online, the Pennsylvania Landscape & Nursery Association (PLNA) has withdrawn its opposition to the bill. Gregg Robertson, government relations consultant to PLNA, said the bill would not produce any environmental benefits because many of its goals have been voluntarily adopted by lawn care companies.