Recently I was charged with researching whether towns could regulate the use of fertilizer on lawns. It turns out that in Massachusetts has a law on the books, from way back, that prohibits anyone other than the state from regulating fertilizer and specifically the ingredients in fertilizer. Massachusetts is in the process of studying whether it makes sense to change how it regulates fertilizer.
The State of Maine is way ahead of us. Recognizing that its clean water ways are a vital part of its economy, especially its tourist economy, the state has taken steps the change how it restricts the use of fertilizer. They are now restricting the sale of phosphorous based fertilizers for lawn application.
This past summer many lakes on Cape Cod were impacted by high levels of algae. While direct links have not been identified, the blooms are considered to be tied to run-off related to the heavy storms this past spring. This run-off contained many sources of contamination, but lawn fertilizers were probably a significant player in the equation.
Maine's lead is definitely a direction Massachusetts should follow. For more information on Maine's program go here: Lawns Green Water Clean
Maine has also posted a partial list of phosphorous free fertilizers (available in Maine hopefully available in Massachusetts as well): P Free Fertilizers
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