What's happening
This bill restricts the use of lawn fertilizers containing phosphorus in certain counties' watersheds or drainage basins and establishes penalties for violations.
Why it matters
Targets nutrient pollution at its source. By restricting phosphorus-containing lawn fertilizers in sensitive watersheds, the bill aims to reduce runoff that can cause harmful algal blooms and degrade water quality, which in turn affects drinking water, recreation, and local ecosystems.
Empowers local action. The bill only applies in counties that choose to adopt a local law, giving local governments control over environmental protections based on their specific watershed needs and concerns.
Creates clear exceptions and guidance. The law exempts certain uses—like new lawns, low-phosphorus soil situations, agriculture, and gardens—balancing environmental goals with practical land management needs. It also mandates that vendors provide information and phosphorus-free products, making it easier for consumers to comply.
Imposes escalating penalties for violations. The bill establishes a tiered civil penalty system, with higher fines for repeat offenders and commercial applicators, signaling a strong intent to ensure compliance and deter harmful practices.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Fertilizer Near Watersheds
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to environmental conservation
- Referred to environmental conservation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Limit Lawn Fertilizer Near Water
In Assembly Committee · Environmental Conservation · Sponsor Fred Thiele
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
S. 1626 A. 965
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
SENATE - ASSEMBLY
January 10, 2017
IN SENATE -- Introduced by Sen. LAVALLE -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
IN ASSEMBLY -- Introduced by M. of A. THIELE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Environmental Conservation
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to the application of lawn fertilizer to watersheds and drainage basins
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The environmental conservation law is amended by adding a new section 33-1006 to read as follows: § 33-1006. Application of lawn fertilizer to watersheds or drainage
basins in certain counties.
1. For purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
a. "Agriculture uses" means beekeeping, dairying, egg production, floriculture, fish or fur farming, forest and game management; grazing; livestock raising; orchards; plant greenhouses and nurseries; poultry raising; raising of grain, grass, mint and seed crops; raising of fruits, nuts, berries, sod farming and vegetable raising.
b. "Lawn fertilizer" means any fertilizer, whether applied by property owner, renter or commercial entity, intended for nonagricultural use, such as for lawns, golf courses, parks and cemeteries. Lawn fertilizer does not include fertilizer products intended primarily for garden or indoor use.
2. a. Effective March first, two thousand nineteen, in any county where the county legislature has adopted a local law, no person shall apply any lawn fertilizer within any watershed or drainage basin that is labeled as containing more than zero percent phosphorus, except as provided in subdivision three of this section.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD07144-01-7
S. 1626 2 A. 965
b. In such county, no lawn fertilizer shall be applied when the ground is frozen.
c. In such county, no person shall apply lawn fertilizer to any impervious surface including parking lots, roadways, and sidewalks. If such application occurs, the fertilizer shall be immediately removed from such surfaces and either legally applied to turf or placed in an appropriate container.
3. The restrictions upon the use of lawn fertilizer under subdivision two of this section shall not apply to:
a. Newly established turf or lawn areas during their first growing season.
b. Turf or lawn areas that soil tests, performed within the past three years by a state certified soil testing laboratory or other qualified or recognized authority in the area of soil analysis, confirm are below phosphorus levels established by the Cornell Cooperative Extension. The lawn fertilizer application shall not contain an amount of phosphorus exceeding the amount and rate of application recommended in the soil test evaluation.
c. Agricultural uses, vegetable and flower gardens, or application to trees or shrubs.
d. Yard waste compost, bio-solids or other similar materials that are primarily organic in nature and are applied to improve the physical condition of the soil.
4. Effective March first, two thousand nineteen, all vendors of lawn fertilizer within any such county shall display a map of the affected watershed or drainage basin and a sign containing the provisions set forth in this section and the effects of phosphorus on such watershed or drainage basin. All vendors shall offer fertilizer that is labeled as containing 0% phosphorus.
§ 2. Subdivision 1 of section 71-2907 of the environmental conservation law is amended by adding a new undesignated paragraph to read as follows:
Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, any person who violates subdivision two of section 33-1006 of this chapter in the application of lawn fertilizer at his or her residence shall be subject to a civil infraction penalty of one hundred dollars per violation. Any commercial fertilizer applicator, residential or commercial developer, industrial or commercial owner, and any person who violates subdivision two of section 33-1006 of this chapter shall be subject to a civil infraction penalty of two hundred dollars for the first violation within a twelve month period; three hundred five dollars for the second violation within a twelve month period; and five hundred dollars for the third and each subsequent violation within a twelve month period.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to the application of lawn fertilizer to watersheds and drainage basins
Purpose
Prohibits the application of lawn fertilizers containing more than zero percent phosphorus to any waters.
Summary of provisions
Adds a new Section 33-1006 to the environmental conservation law defining terms and establishing provisions relating to the application of lawn fertilizer to watersheds or drainage basins. Subdivision 1 of Section 71-2907 of the environmental conservation law is amended to set forth specific violation penalties.
Justification
The ecological health, recreational quality and aesthetic value of freshwater and marine environments is threatened when higher concentrations of phosphates are introduced into waterways by storm water runoff in drainage systems or as a non-point source of pollution into groundwater. An excess of nutrients, such as phosphorus, can increase the growth of algae and degrade the quality of water. Prohibiting the application of lawn fertilizers containing more than zero percent phosphorus to watersheds and drainage basins will help protect the environmental and recreational quality of water resources and contribute to the general health and welfare of the public.
Legislative history
2015-16 S.787A/A.582A; 2013-14 S.2357-A/A.2607-A; 2011-12 S.3554A; 2010 S.6822
Fiscal implications
To be determined
Effective date
Immediately
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.