The Marshfield City Council will consider a ban on phosphorus fertilizers Tuesday night.
Marty Anderson, chair of the Sustainable Marshfield Committee, says that on most lawns, there's enough phosphorus on most lawns and it doesn't need to be added in. He says the additional is running off in to local waterways, which causes algae blooms, fish kills and other problems.
Part of the solution, according to Anderson's committee, is a ban on the use phosphorus-containing fertilizers in the city limits and a strict regulation of the sale of such products. The idea has already been adopted in many other communities across the state, including all of Dane County.
The ordinance does include some exemptions for newly established lawns, lawns where soil tests determine there's a need for phosphorus and garden applications. But it does ban retailers from even displaying phosphorus-containing products, such as typical "weed and feed" products.
The proposed ordinance will get a first reading this week. That will open public comment period, which will include a public hearing on July 8.