Phosphorus in Our Lawn Fertilizer: Threatening Indiana's Water from Lawn to Lake

Phosphorus in Our Lawn Fertilizer:
Threatening Indiana’s Water and Wildlife from Lawn to Lake
indianawildlife.org
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Indiana Wildlife Federation
IWF Mission Is to promote the conservation, sound management, and sustainable use of Indiana's wildlife and wildlife habitat through education, advocacy, and action.
Common Sense Conservation: Continuing with Roosevelt’s idea to enjoy nature, while preserving its resources
Leadership since 1938
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indianawildlife.org

Phosphorus OVERLOAD on Land
Function: store energy & establish a strong root system
Movement: held by soil; flows into lakes and streams from urban, suburban, and agricultural areas
Persists in environment
Effects: decline in wildlife diversity; health risks; economic losses
Fertilizer analysis: N-P-K
indianawildlife.org
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treehugger
MN Dept of Ag
www.lesco.com

Surface Runoff
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As the percent of impervious surfaces increases from natural ground cover to 75% impervious, more water will runoff the surface during storms and less water will infiltrate the ground.
Hard, impervious surfaces will compact soil slowing plant growth, deplete groundwater resources, and accelerate stormwater runoff.
USDA NRCS

Land Use + Water Quality
indianawildlife.org
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Chesapeake Ecocheck
(http://www.eco-check.org/)

indianawildlife.org
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Sources of Nutrient Pollution

Nutrients in Water
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In this process of eutrophication, nutrient overloading causes excessive algal growth.
Algae covers the surface of lakes and reservoirs, shading life underneath and inhibiting photosynthesis.
When algae dies, oxygen resources are drained, harming aquatic life.
City of Lincoln & Lancaster County, NE

Nutrients in Water
indianawildlife.org
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For healthy turf, 20ppm P is recommended whereas 25ppb (1,000x less) can contribute to algal blooms.
Established lawns do not need P, much of the turfgrass in Indiana has plenty!
University Lake
Indiana Clean Lakes Program, 2009
Palestine Lake

Risks to Wildlife of Excessive Nutrient Pollution
Eutrophication – fish kills from reductions in dissolved oxygen, bioaccumulation of algal toxins in fish
Fierce competition against any species
Change in habitat – lack of viable food resources & habitat spaces
indianawildlife.org
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http://www.hrwc.org/
Photo by: Ted Somerville www.nuvo.net

Risks to Wildlife
Presence of pesticides – amphibian abnormalities, bird and fish kills, pollinator and insect population decline
Heat island effect – slows metabolism, reduces reproduction
Reduced biodiversity from loss of critters and flora more sensitive to pollution
indianawildlife.org
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Stonefly (left) and dragonfly (right) are sensitive to pollution, thereby their presence can indicate good water quality.

Status of Phosphorus in Indiana
US EPA NLA, 2010: 68% of Indiana lakes had high levels of microcystin with a national average of 32%.
IDEM draft 303d list, 2010: Number of impaired waters has increased by 200 to 2,882.
Impairments: E.coli, impaired biotic communities, nutrients, algae, taste and odor, etc.
indianawildlife.org
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Depending on the species of algae, different toxins can be produced. Not all algal blooms are evident with a mucky green cover across the surface, but can still be harmful.
Microcystin, an algal toxin
Indiana Clean Lakes Program, 2009

Status of Phosphorus in Indiana
IDEM, 09.02.11: Areas above 100,000 cells/mL of cyanobacteria
Hardy Lake State Reservoir
Potato Creek State Park
Salamonie Reservoir
Chain O’Lakes State Park (Long Lake)
Monroe Reservoir
Cecil M. Hardin Reservoir (Raccoon Lake)
IUPUI CEES, 09.02.11: Reservoirs above 100,000 cells/mL of cyanobacteria - Eagle Creek, Geist, Morse, Patoka
indianawildlife.org
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Ocean Shores, WA (osgov.com)
World Health Organization ascribes a “high risk for adverse effects” beyond 100,000 cells/mLcyanobacteria.

Nutrients travel downstream…
indianawildlife.org
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USGS: While the smallest state in the Mississippi River Basin Watershed, Indiana is the 3rd largest contributor of phosphorus to the Gulf of Mexico.
USGS

And contribute to an area devoid of life!
indianawildlife.org
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Oceandoctor.org
LUMCON: In 2011, this zone was the 2nd largest in size (6,765 mi2) worldwide after Baltic Sea.
blog.nola.com

Indiana: A leader in phosphorus restriction?
1972: Indiana led the nation in efforts to reduce the use of P in laundry detergents.
2008: Statute bans P in dish soap, effective since July 2010.
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Indiana is falling behind…States including FL, IL, ME, MD, MI, MN, NJ, NY, VA, VT, WA, and WI are working on policies or already have an active law in place to restrict use of fertilizers containing phosphorus

Local Fertilizer Ordinance
Jan. 2010: OISC denied both. Why?
Insufficient scientific evidence to demonstrate an ordinance would improve water conditions.
Absence of a special case in Steuben County.
indianawildlife.org
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kpcnews.net
2007: in Steuben County, Clear Lake attempted to restrict the use and sale of P-enriched fertilizer with a local ordinance. A county-wide ordinance was passed.

Topic of Discussion
Steps in the right direction…
Feb. 2010, House Res.0027 request NRSC and EQSC form a committee to address P in lawn fertilizers
Jan. 2011, Rep. Dodge filed HB1425, restricting use of fertilizer with P. Not heard in the NR Committee nor added to the language of any Senate bills.
indianawildlife.org
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Using P-free fertilizer
And many more!
Lake County, IL www.lakecountyil.gov

Revised 3B License Certification for Fertilizer Applicators
Nov. 2010 from OISC:
All commercial applications of fertilizer material for turf maintenance must be applied by a certified or supervised applicator employed by a licensed business (LSA Document #10-565).
indianawildlife.org
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agriturf.net
Includes agricultural fertilizer use by commercial applicators.
Education will include BMPs for fertilizer use, but does not restrict how much P can be applied.
Excludes private landowners.

How can you help?
Landscape sustainably
Reduce chemical use
Remove invasive plant species
Select native species to plant
Harvest rainwater
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Let’s turn this murky, slimy green water into…
clean, clear, and healthy water!
Photo by: Michael Mill
Sciencedaily.com

Landscape Sustainably
Right product
Buy P-free lawn fertilizer
Make sure N is slow-release
Use grass clippings as mulch
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Right rate
Conduct a soil test
Follow the recommendations
Less = more!
Right time
Fertilize minimally, if needed
Mow only the top ⅓ of grass
Right place
Use a drop spreader
Keep nutrients off impervious surfaces & away from water
Clean up pet waste
Michigan State University Extension

Reduce Chemical Use
Chemical classified
Found in fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, etc.
indianawildlife.org
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Health Concerns
By contact & through breathing toxic vapors
Children & pets are at the greatest risk by touching grass, lawn furniture, and toys.
Alternatives
Pull weeds by hand
Prune infected branches
Use grass clippings to prevent weeds
Insecticidal soaps
Stewardship Garden

Remove Invasive Plant Species
Exotics vs. Invasive
Not native to Indiana
Described as aggressive in growth and strong tendency to dominant
Strategy to Address
Minimize use of exotics
Remove invasive species
Maintain annually or more frequently as needed
Examples
Autumn olive  Canada thistle  Common reed  Garlic mustard  Japanese honeysuckle  Kudzu  Oriental bittersweet Purple loosestrife  Reed canary grass  Spotted knapweed  Tree-of-heaven
indianawildlife.org
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Garlic mustard
National Park Service
Spotted knapweed
Midwest Invasive Plant Network
Tree-of-heaven

Select Native Species to Plant!
Add diversity by planting a variety of habitats – prairie, forest, wetland
Create a vegetated buffer of wildflowers and grasses near water
Plant a rain garden to reduce lawn size where possible
Certify your property as wildlife friendly!
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National Park Service
To date, IWF has certified 500 acres including prairie plantings, wetland enhancements, tree & shrub plantings, invasive species control. More than 300 acres is being managed.

Harvest Rainwater
Through conservation, retention, and recycling
Water turfgrass early morning, only as needed
Use timers for sprinkler systems
Add rain barrels to downspouts
Build vegetated bioswales or bioretention features
Use pervious surface
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sbprojectcleanwater.org

Create an Oasis for Wildlife
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From wetlands for amphibians, fish, insect pollinators, and birds…

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Cornell Lab of Ornithology (allaboutbirds.org)
To prairies full of unique native grasses & wildflowers for birds, insects, reptiles, and mammals

Start Today!
Pledge to be P-free atwww.indianawildlife.org/phosphorus.htmin the Clear Choices, Clean Water campaign. Consider the additional pledges to clean up pet waste, maintain septic systems, and plant native species.
Encourage your community to go P-free!
To promote Common Sense Conservation and become an IWF member, visit www.indianawildlife.org
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indianawildlife.org

Thank You!
To Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust for a grant that has made this project possible.
To Our Partners: ECWA, Engledow Group, Hamilton County SWCD, HEC, Hoosier Heartland RC&D, ILMS, INPAWS, IU Clean Lakes Program, IUPUI CEES, Scotts Miracle-Gro, Sierra Club, TruGreen, UWRWA, and White River Watershed Project
indianawildlife.org
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Contact information:
Marija Watson
Indiana Wildlife Federation
watson@indianawildlife.org
317.875.9453

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Phosphorus in Our Lawn Fertilizer: Threatening Indiana's Water from Lawn to Lake

by Indiana Wildlife Federation on Oct 12, 2010

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Phosphorus in Our Lawn Fertilizer: Threatening Indiana’s Water from Lawn to Lake — Presentation Transcript