An Act To Protect and Improve Lake Water Quality
Maine Legislature, Session 123, LD 0587
Committee Amendment CA_A_H49 (House)
Committee: Natural Resources with recommendations on ways to protect or improve lake water quality, such as by restoring naturally vegetated buffers on lake shorelines, by evaluating compensation fee amounts that have been established to offset phosphorus inputs and by examining other issues identified in the development of the report

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A " to H.P. 454, L.D. 587, Bill, "An Act To 
Protect and Improve Lake Water Quality" 
Amend the bill by striking out the title and substituting the following: 
'An Act To Protect and Improve Lake Water Quality by Reducing 
Phosphorus in Lawn Care Fertilizer' 
Amend the bill in section 1 in §419 by striking out all of subsection 2 (page 1, line 39 
and page 2, lines 1 to 13 in L.D.) and inserting the following: 
'2. Prohibition. We A person may sell or use 8.flY high flhosflhorol:ls detergent. not: 
A. Sell or use a high phosphorus detergent; or 
B. Sell fertilizer containing phosphorus at a retail store after January 1, 2008 unless 
the seller posts a department-approved sign that indicates that the product is not 
appropriate for use on nonagricultural lawns or turf due to potential adverse effects 
on water quality, except when: 
(I) Soil test results from a laboratory indicate that additional phosphorus is 
needed for that lawn or turf; or 
(2) The fertilizer will be used in establishing a new lawn or turf, including 
establishing turf at a sod farm, or for reseeding or overseeding an existing lawn 
or turf. 
The sign required by this paragraph must be positioned between 4 and 7 feet above 
the floor and prominently posted where fertilizers containing phosphorus for use on 
lawns or turf are displayed. For purposes of this paragraph, "retail store" means a 
commercial establishment that sells fertilizer on the store premises for use off the 
premises.' 
Amend the bill by inserting before the summary the following: 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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COMMITTEE AMENDMENT "A" to H.P. 454, L.D. 587 
'Sec. 2. Report. By February 1,2008, the Department of Environmental Protection 
shall report to the Joint Standing Committee on Natural Resources with recommendations 
on ways to protect or improve lake water quality, such as by restoring naturally vegetated 
buffers on lake shorelines, by evaluating compensation fee amounts that have been 
established to offset phosphorus inputs and by examining other issues identified in the 
development of the report. The department shall consult with state agencies as well as 
representatives of interested stakeholder groups, including business and environmental 
groups and the Maine Municipal Association, when developing these recommendations. 
The Joint Standing Committee on Natural Resources may submit legislation based on the 
recommendations to the Second Regular Session of the 123rd Legislature.' 
SUMMARY 
This amendment removes the provision of the bill that prohibits the use of fertilizer 
containing phosphorus. 
The amendment prohibits the sale of fertilizer containing 
phosphorus at retail stores after January 1, 2008 unless the seller posts a sign that 
indicates that the product is not appropriate for use on nonagricultural lawns or turf 
except when a soil test indicates the need for additional phosphorus or the fertilizer will 
be used in establishing a new lawn or turf or for reseeding or overseeding an existing 
lawn or turf. The amendment also directs the Department of Environmental Protection to 
report to the Joint Standing Committee on Natural Resources with recommendations on 
ways to protect or improve lake water quality. The committee is given authority to 
submit legislation to the Second Regular Session of the 123rd Legislature. 
FISCAL NOTE REQUIRED 
(See attached) 
COMMITTEE AMENDMENT 
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Fiscai DetaH and Notes 
Approved: 03/24/07 wac:. 
LD587 
LR 1331(02) 
An Act To Protect and Improve Lake Water Quality 
Fiscal Note for Bill as Amended by Committee Amendment "1+,, 
Committee: Natural Resources 
Fiscal Note Required: Yes· 
Fiscal Note 
Minor cost increase - General Fund 
The additional costs associated with this legislation can be absorbed by the Department of Environmental Protection 
utilizing existing budgeted resources. 
LR1331(02) - Fiscal Note - Page 1 of 1