Wisconsin Ag Connection - Group: Legislature Hears Support for Revised Phosphorus Rules

Wisconsin Ag News Headlines

Group: Legislature Hears Support for Revised Phosphorus Rules
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 07/29/2010

A state environmental group says farmers, municipalities and others appear to be on board with two proposed rule revisions aimed at reducing phosphorus pollution. During the past two weeks, lawmakers have been holding public hearings on the changes, which were drafted by the Department of Natural Resources Board. And Clean Wisconsin Director Amber Meyer Smith says there's a lot at stake.

"The cultural and economic importance of Wisconsin's waters cannot be overstated," Smith said. "That's why it's important to do all we can to keep phosphorus out of our waters, and these rules are critical to achieving that."

Phosphorus is a nutrient that promotes weed and algae growth and enters Wisconsin's waters when it runs off farm fields or is discharged from factories and sewage treatment plants. A single pound of phosphorus can cause 500 pounds of unsightly, foul-smelling algae growth. The group says nearly half of Wisconsin's waterways are so polluted due to runoff that the federal government lists them as 'impaired.'

"The impacts of excess phosphorus in our waters are real, affecting the lives and livelihoods of Wisconsin residents," says Smith. "Fortunately, this is a problem we can do something about as a state, and it's reassuring to see these rule revisions receive strong support."

Adopted by the DNR Board in June, the two rule revisions will strengthen existing policies aiming to reduce phosphorus pollution from its two major sources. The first, known as the phosphorus rule, limits the amount of phosphorus wastewater treatment plants and factories are allowed to discharge. The second rule revision strengthens NR151, an administrative rule governing the amount of phosphorus carried into waterways when fertilizer and manure run off farm fields. These rules are the result of compromise; many stakeholders worked for years to find the most meaningful and cost-effective ways to protect Wisconsin's waters.