Press Release

For Immediate Release: March 25, 2011

Contacts:  Mike Petersen, The Lands Council, (509) 990-5719

Rick Eichstaedt, Spokane Riverkeeper, (509) 835-5211

Craig Benjamin, Environmental Priorities Coalition,     (206)713-6204

Clean Fertilizers, Healthier Lakes and Rivers Legislation Passes State  Senate

OLYMPIA – Today, the Washington State Senate passed the "Clean Fertilizers, Healthier Lakes and Rivers" bill (HB 1489), by a vote of 32-16.  The legislation manages the sale of phosphorus in fertilizers and provides a commonsense and cost effective approach to making sure that our lakes and rivers are clean.  This legislation is one of the four environmental community priorities for the 2011 legislative session.

When phosphorus in fertilizer washes off of our lawns into lakes, rivers, and Puget Sound, it causes pollution that costs taxpayers and businesses millions of dollars to clean up.  Excess phosphorus in our waterways causes rapid growth of weeds and smelly algae blooms that can harm fish, wildlife and public health.  Lake Spokane/Spokane River, Lake Whatcom, Lake Vancouver, Lake Washington and hundreds of other waterways across our state are polluted from too much phosphorus.    

"We applaud the State Senate for moving quickly to pass this important legislation.  We have a responsibility to keep our lakes and rivers clean and healthy for ourselves and our children," said Mike Petersen, executive director of The Lands Council. "We commend Sen. Scott White (D-Seattle) and Rep. Andy Billig (D-Spokane) for their leadership on this issue." 

"You don't need phosphorous in your fertilizer to have a green lawn; there are better, cheaper alternatives that give all of us the freedom to have a beautiful yard and clean rivers," said Rick Eichstaedt, with Spokane Riverkeeper.  "Managing the sale of phosphorus lawn fertilizers in our state is a commonsense and cost effective approach to making sure that our lakes and rivers are clean and we're not forcing our businesses and local governments to waste money on unnecessary infrastructure."

HB 1489 passed the Washington State House of Representatives with bipartisan support on February 28th, 2011.  The legislation will now return to the House for concurrence.

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The Environmental Priorities Coalition is a network of 24 leading environmental groups in Washington state that believe we can have a strong economy that provides everyone with the opportunity to prosper and a clean, healthy and safe environment for ourselves and our children. Founded in 2003, the Environmental Priorities Coalition selects priority issues each legislative session that are important to protecting public health and welfare.