Phosphorus in Our Lawn Fertilizer:

Threatening Indiana’s Water and Wildlife

from Lawn to Lake
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 Indiana Wildlife Federation
 IWF Vision IS TO CREATE
SUSTAINABLE INDIANA
WILDLIFE AS A SOURCE OF
INSPIRATION, EDUCATION AND
RECREATION.
 IWF Mission IS TO PROMOTE
THE CONSERVATION, SOUND
MANAGEMENT, AND
SUSTAINABLE USE OF INDIANA'S
WILDLIFE AND WILDLIFE
HABITAT THROUGH EDUCATION,
ADVOCACY, AND ACTION.

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IWF Values
 Common Sense Conservation:
Continuing with Roosevelt’s
idea to enjoy nature, while
preserving its resources
 Conservation Leadership:
Since 1938, IWF has strived to
protect Indiana’s wildlife and
habitat
 Supports restoration of
streams & lakes through
nutrient management,
especially of phosphorus
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What’s wrong with this picture?

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 Phosphorus OVERLOAD
 Phosphorus helps plants store energy and
establish a strong root system, but currently
plants have plenty!
 Nutrients from fertilizer flow and leach from
urban, suburban, and agricultural areas into
Indiana’s lakes, rivers, and streams.
 Phosphorus increases plant and algae growth
including invasive species.
 Excess nutrients threaten fish, wildlife, and
water sources

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 The Problem:

City of Lincoln & Lancaster County, Nebraska (http://lancaster.ne.gov)

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 Marion County SWCD:
Indiana Lakes 1 lb. of P = 10,000 lbs. of
wet weeds & algae!

University Lake
(near Bloomington)

Palestine Lake
(near Fort Wayne)

Indiana Clean Lakes Program, 2009

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Algae-filled water leads to…
 Decreased biodiversity; Fish kills from
dramatic reductions in dissolved oxygen
 Damaged quality habitats and reduced food
availability

Photo by: Ted Somerville (www.nuvo.net)

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 Health Risks
 Quality of drinking water is
affected, indicated by poor
taste and smell.
 Some algae can produce
toxins (called cyanotoxins)
causing skin irritations.
IUPUI Center for Earth and
 If consumed, this water can Environmental Science, 2009
lead to gastrointestinal
problems and damage to  Harmful for pets, including
internal systems or even livestock to consume
major organs contaminated water
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 Address the source
 Many lawn fertilizers contain high levels of phosphorus.

 In 2004, Purdue scientists

studied a small group of
Indiana lawns: 89% had
“adequate” or “high”
levels of phosphorus.
 This phosphorus is
strongly held by the soil

NC State University (ces.ncsu.edu)

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 Status of Phosphorus in Indiana
 Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, produces
dangerous toxins, such as microcystin.
 US EPA: 68% of Indiana lakes had noticeably high levels
of microcystin; with a national average of 32%

White River
Microcystin IUPUI Center for Earth and
Indiana Clean Lakes Program, 2009 Environmental Science, 2009

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Status of Phosphorus in Indiana
 The World Health Organization ascribes
a “high risk for adverse effects,” to a
cyanobacteria concentration of 100,000
cell/mL of water.

 IUPUI’s CEES: As of 07.26.10 the

following reservoirs were above 100,000
cells/mL: Eagle Creek, Geist, Morse,
Ocean Shores, WA Mississinewa, Patoka; Wawasee Lake
(osgov.com)
has 717,000 cells/mL.

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 Indiana: A leader in
phosphorus restriction?
 1972: Indiana led the nation in efforts to reduce the use of
phosphorus in laundry detergents.
 2008: statute effective this year bans phosphorus in dish
soap.
 Scientists determined neither product benefits from
phosphorus, while both contributed to water quality
problems!
 Scotts, Engledow, and Tru Green feel the same way about
lawn fertilizers by using phosphorus-free products!
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 Current Legislation
 In Fall 2009, the state legislature’s Environmental Quality
Service Council voted to direct state agencies to devise a
strategy for monitoring algae levels.

 Financial cutbacks will likely slow

most action, but recently a House
Resolution was introduced to
request that EQSC or NRSC form a
committee to address phosphorus
in lawn fertilizers. Lake County, IL
(www.lakecountyil.gov)

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Development of Nutrient Criteria
for Indiana’s Lakes and Reservoirs
 IDEM is developing criteria in order to protect lakes
and reservoirs from adverse impacts of too much
nutrients.
 Candidate endpoints for total phosphorous (TP) and
chlorophyll a (chl a) are being derived using
multiple lines of evidence.
 IDEM will hold several stakeholder meetings in the
near future to discuss issues regarding the nutrient
criteria rule.

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For a state that prides itself
and depends on healthy,
quality soils in addition to
relying on waterways
including the Great Lakes to
drive large portions of its
economy…
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 …Indiana is falling behind.
 Minnesota and Wisconsin have eliminated phosphorus
from lawn fertilizers.
 Beginning in 2002, 97% of MN stores began selling
phosphorus-free fertilizers. By 2006, 82% of fertilizers
used were phosphorus-free.
 Phosphate levels in the Huron River dropped 28% since
Ann Arbor, MI adopted a phosphorus ban in 2006.
 EPA recently proposed limits on the amount of nutrients
entering Florida’s waterways.
 MD, ME, IL, NJ, and NY are working on policies to restrict
phosphorus in fertilizers or already have an active law in
place.
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 Call to Action
 Contact your legislator about the problems
associated with excess phosphorus.
 Challenge him/her to help Indiana reassume its role
as a leader in phosphorus restrictions.
 Ask your legislator to support a statewide
restriction of phosphorus in lawn fertilizers.
 A landowner should only apply supplemental
phosphorus to a lawn if a soil test indicates a
phosphorus deficiency.

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How Can You Help Us? Consider
these recommendations…
 Check the label on the fertilizer bag to make sure
the middle number is zero!
Buy Phosphorus-Free, except if you have a new
lawn or a soil test indicates low P.
 If desired, fertilize your lawn once in the fall during
Sept.
 Clean up any fertilizer spills on impervious surfaces,
such as driveways or sidewalks.

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 More recommendations:
 Mow high to maintain a strong root system.
 Use grass clippings & fallen leaves as mulch.
 Pick up pet waste.
 Water in the morning to prevent fungus growth.
 Plant native grasses and wildflowers in a buffer
zone of 20ft around the water that will filter out
unwanted nutrients and sediments.

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Use Sustainable Lawn Care

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 Start Today!
 Join our IWF team in the Clear Choices, Clean
Water Campaign by pledging to be P-free at
www.indianawildlife.org/phosphorus.htm
 Tell family and friends about the problems of
excess phosphorus. Challenge your community to
go phosphorus-free!

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 Thank You!
 To Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust for a grant
that has made this project possible.
 To Our Partners:
ECWA ,
Hamilton County SWCD,
HEC,
IUPUI CEES,
ILMS,
INPAWS,
Scotts Company,
Sierra Club,
UWRWA, and
Veolia
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