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Request for Board Action <br />Board Meeting Date: March 7, 2001 <br />Agenda Item No.: 7C <br />Preparer (Name, Position): Clifton J. Aichinger, Administrator <br />Item Description: <br />Request for consideration of adopting a resolution supporting the restriction of phosphorus <br />fertilizer use. <br />Background: <br />The district received the attached letter, background information, and draft resolution from <br />Woody Love, Mayor of the City of Shorewood. Mayor Love is looking for support for <br />legislation to restrict the use of Phosphorus in fertilizer used on residential properties. I -Iis <br />position, and that of Hennepin County research, is that residential lawn runoff contributes a <br />significant portion of the phosphorus in urban runoff. They also indicate that most lawns do not <br />need the additional phosphorus. This is verified by RWMWD research completed in the <br />Tanners and Battle Creek Lake watersheds. <br />A collaboration of cities in the Lake Minnetonka area are working to draft and introduce <br />legislation to limit the use of phosphorus in lawn fertilizers. The Minnesota Department of <br />Agriculture has developed legislation for the same purpose. The Dept, of Agriculture bill should <br />be introduced this week. If both bills reach committee, they will probably be combined in some <br />form. There is strong legislative support or this bill. <br />MAWD passed a resolution at the Annual Meeting in support of this type of legislation. <br />Applicable District Goal, Policy, Objective or Standard: <br />The District WMP includes goals, objectives and policies directed at the reduction of phosphorus <br />and the implementation of BMPs to limit or reduce phosphorus in urban runoff <br />Staff Recommendation: <br />A District resolution in support of this legislation would be consistent with our District plan and <br />the MAWD position. District literature and PR has promoted use of no or low phosphorus <br />fertilizer for several years. This is also consistent with the metro -wide educational messages of <br />the Watershed Partners and other communities. <br />Financial Implications: <br />This action would have no financial impact on the District. <br />Board Action Requested: <br />Review attached material and decide whether to support the model resolution as drafted or <br />suggest revisions. If supported by the Board, staff will prepare the final resolution and route for <br />signatures following the meeting. <br />Page 20 <br />