December 20, 2007
Province Announces First-In-Canada Action To Bolster Water Protection
– – –Modelled on Successful Minnesota Strategy, Limits on Phosphorus in Lawn Fertilizers Will Cut Flow of Excess Nutrients to Province's Lakes and Rivers: Melnick
Manitoba will become the first province in Canada to restrict application of lawn fertilizers containing phosphorus in residential areas, a key step in reducing the flow of excess nutrients into provincial waterways, Water Stewardship Minister Christine Melnick announced today.
“Two weeks ago our government introduced legislation to virtually eliminate phosphorus from household dishwasher detergent,” Melnick said. “Today we are moving to regulate the use of fertilizers containing phosphorus in residential areas. We are committed to taking strong action to protect our lakes and rivers for future generations.”
Following positive public consultations held this fall, the province will restrict the use of lawn fertilizer containing more than one per cent phosphorus by Jan. 1, 2009. The use of phosphorus on golf courses will also be limited under water quality management zones regulations. Lawn fertilizers currently sold in Manitoba have phosphorus content as high as 20 per cent.
Manitoba’s regulatory change to control fertilizer applications is modelled on a similar regulatory regime adopted by Minnesota in 2005. Minnesota’s controls resulted in a nearly 50 per cent reduction in phosphorus being applied in fertilizers to lawns in residential areas.
As Manitoba soil already has high phosphorus concentrations, fertilizer containing phosphorus is in most instances not necessary to maintain a healthy lawn. Applications of fertilizers containing phosphorus would be permitted on a short-term basis for new lawns.
Melnick noted the province has initiated discussions with Landscape Manitoba and the Canadian Fertilizer Institute about steps industry can take to ensure consumers will continue to have access to a range of lawn-care products in Manitoba stores.
“It is important to recognize the major professional lawn care companies in Manitoba have already eliminated phosphorus from their fertilizer mixes,” said David Hinton of Landscape Manitoba, a trade association which includes nursery and greenhouse growers, garden centre operators, landscape contractors, sod growers and landscape maintenance contractors. “We are very pleased to continue to work closely with the Province of Manitoba on this key issue to ensure that others similarly reduce this source of phosphorus to Manitoba’s waterways.”
The minister said a public-education campaign will precede the restrictions taking effect.
“Manitobans understand the vital importance of taking steps to improve and protect the health of our waterways,” Melnick said. “Protecting our water for future generations is a shared responsibility. This regulation will lead to new product options that will enhance the role Manitoba families can play in protecting our lakes and rivers.”
Following the Minnesota model, the province will evaluate the effectiveness of the restrictions one year after its implementation.
Introducing restrictions on lawn fertilizers containing phosphorus follows key recommendations of the Lake Winnipeg Stewardship Board’s final report.
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