The Macro-nutrient in the middle

April 2, 2007

Phosphorus Management Policy Advisory Committee Final Report – On June 27, 2006 I received an invitation from Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Director Steve Chester to participate in a Phosphorus Management Policy Advisory Committee organized by the MDEQ.  Our monthly meetings began in August 2006 and continued to January 2007.  The charge to the Advisory Committee was “to identify the major source categories of phosphorus loadings to Michigan surface waters, and for each of these categories, to review and compile the voluntary and regulatory management approaches that are being used or could be used to control phosphorus.”  We were then asked to “develop findings and recommendations to help advance phosphorus management strategies protective of Michigan’s surface waters…”  The findings and recommendations will be used to guide future actions to effectively manage phosphorus in Michigan.

The final report of the Advisory Committee was released on March 22, 2007.  The letter of invitation, the Final Report, Appendix A – Meeting Summaries, and Appendix B (a summary of regulatory and voluntary programs regarding phosphorus for Michigan and surrounding states) can be found below.  We would encourage you to review this information. 

Phosphorus continues to be an issue for our industry. We are currently working with Harrison Township bordering Lake St. Clair and Bay County to educate them about phosphorus from fertilizers and urge them to support state-wide legislation rather than a local ordinance.  As part of these efforts, I have developed a PowerPoint presentation titled Phosphorus in the Landscape that can be viewed below.  Members are welcome to utilize this presentation in their own communities.