Subdivision 1. Definition. For the purpose of this section, "turf" means noncrop land planted in closely mowed, managed grasses including, but not limited to, residential and commercial residential property, private golf courses, and property owned by federal, state, or local units of government, including parks, recreation areas, and public golf courses. Turf does not mean pasture, hayland, hay, turf grown on turf farms, or any other form of agricultural production.
Subd. 2. Phosphorus use restrictions. (a) A person may not apply a fertilizer containing the plant nutrient phosphorus to turf statewide, except under conditions listed in paragraph (b).
(b) Paragraph (a) does not apply when:
(1) a tissue, soil, or other test by a laboratory or method approved by the commissioner and performed within the last three years indicates that the level of available phosphorus in the soil is insufficient to support healthy turf growth;
(2) the property owner or an agent of the property owner is first establishing turf via seed or sod procedures, and only during the first growing season; or
(3) the fertilizer containing the plant food phosphorus is used on a golf course under the direction of a person licensed, certified, or approved by an organization with an ongoing training program approved by the commissioner.
(c) Applications of phosphorous fertilizer authorized under paragraph (b) must not exceed rates recommended by the University of Minnesota and approved by the commissioner.
Subd. 3. Consumer information. The commissioner, in consultation with the University of Minnesota Extension Service, fertilizer industry representatives, lakes groups, and other interested or affected parties, must produce consumer information on use restrictions and recommended best practices for lawn fertilizer containing phosphorus, and on best management practices for other residential sources of phosphorus in the urban landscape. The information must be in a format and of a content suitable for posting and distribution at retail points of sale of fertilizer that contains phosphorus and is for use on turf.
Subd. 4. Research evaluation; report. The commissioner, in cooperation with the University of Minnesota and the University of Minnesota Extension Service, and, after consultation with representatives of the fertilizer industry, lakes groups, and other interested or affected parties, shall evaluate research needs and encourage targeted research opportunities to investigate the effects of phosphorous fertilization of turf on urban stormwater quality. The commissioner must evaluate the effectiveness of the restrictions on phosphorous fertilizers under this section and report to the legislature by January 15, 2007.
2002 c 345 s 4; 2004 c 179 s 1; 2005 c 10 art 1 s 12
Structure Minnesota Statutes
Chapters 17 - 43 — Agriculture
Chapter 18C — Fertilizer, Soil Amendment, And Plant Amendment
Section 18C.005 — Definitions.
Section 18C.110 — Preemption Of Local Law.
Section 18C.111 — Powers And Duties Of Commissioner.
Section 18C.115 — Adoption Of National Standards.
Section 18C.131 — Fertilizer Inspection Account.
Section 18C.135 — Application Of Requirements To Sewage Sludge And Compost.
Section 18C.141 — Soil And Manure Testing Laboratory Certification.
Section 18C.201 — Prohibited Fertilizer Activities.
Section 18C.205 — Chemigation.
Section 18C.211 — Guaranteed Analysis.
Section 18C.215 — Fertilizer Labeling.
Section 18C.221 — Fertilizer Plant Food Content.
Section 18C.225 — Misbranded Products.
Section 18C.231 — Adulteration.
Section 18C.235 — Storage, Handling, Disposal, And Incident Response Plan.
Section 18C.301 — Mixing Pesticide With Fertilizer, Soil Amendment, Or Plant Amendment.
Section 18C.305 — Fertilizer Facilities.
Section 18C.401 — General Licensing And Registration Conditions.
Section 18C.405 — Protection Of Trade Secrets.
Section 18C.411 — Registration Of Specialty Fertilizers, Soil Amendments, And Plant Amendments.
Section 18C.415 — Fertilizer Licenses.
Section 18C.421 — Tonnage Report.
Section 18C.425 — Application And Inspection Fees.
Section 18C.430 — Commercial Animal Waste Technician.
Section 18C.432 — Manure Applicator Education And Training.
Section 18C.433 — Commercial Animal Waste Application.
Section 18C.531 — Definitions.
Section 18C.535 — Powers And Duties Of Commissioner.
Section 18C.551 — Application, Sampling, And Inspection Fees.
Section 18C.555 — Tonnage Report.
Section 18C.561 — Sampling Methods.
Section 18C.565 — False Or Misleading Statements.
Section 18C.571 — Adulteration.
Section 18C.60 — Phosphorous Turf Fertilizer Use Restrictions.
Section 18C.61 — Fertilizer Application To Impervious Surface; Prohibition.
Section 18C.70 — Minnesota Agricultural Fertilizer Research And Education Council.
Section 18C.71 — Minnesota Agricultural Fertilizer Research And Education Program.
Section 18C.80 — Agricultural Fertilizer Research And Education Account.