On October 27, the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee unanimously amended and reported out Senate Bill 251 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) which sets standards for the application of fertilizer to turf, provides for the certification of professional fertilizer applicators and for labeling and an education program.

The amendment covers a wide variety of issues and should be reviewed carefully.  Click Here for a copy of the amendment.

The goal of the legislation is to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus nutrient pollution going into Pennsylvania’s rivers and streams.  The legislation was included as a recommendation in Pennsylvania’s latest Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan.

Similar legislation introduced by Sen. Yaw last session-- Senate Bill 915-- passed the Senate, but died in the House.

According to the Chesapeake Bay Commission, this is the 11th year fertilizer legislation has been introduced in Pennsylvania for consideration.  Read more here.

The bill now goes to the full House for action.

October Is Buffer Month!

Penn State Extension is joining the Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council, who declared October as Riparian Buffer Month, as an opportunity to build awareness and familiarity of forested riparian buffers while sharing the applicability of these sustainable practices in a variety of settings.  Read more here.

PA Chesapeake Bay Plan

For more information on Pennsylvania’s plan, visit DEP’s Chesapeake Bay Office webpage.

How Clean Is Your Stream?

DEP’s Interactive Report Viewer allows you to zoom in on your own stream or watershed to find out how clean your stream is or if it has impaired water quality using the latest information in the draft 2020 Water Quality Report.

Related Articles:

-- Op-Ed: Fertilizer Bill A Good Start, But Science-Based Changes Are Needed For It To Be Effective

-- Guest Essay: Communities Should Invest Federal American Rescue Plan Funds In Conservation - Andy Loza, WeConservePA

-- DEP: Healthy Waters Newsletter Highlights Profiles Of 40 Clean Water Funding Programs, Local Clean Water Leadership

[Posted: October 27, 2021]

11/1/2021