Fertilizer and deicing agents; regulation of application, report. (HB2463)

Introduced By

Del. Lee Ware (R-Powhatan)

Description

Fertilizer and deicing agents; regulation of application; report.  Requires the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services to adopt regulations (i) requiring professionals and public sector applicators of fertilizers to nonagricultural lands to become trained and certified in nutrient management and apply fertilizer in accordance with the principles thereof; (ii) prohibiting the application of phosphorus to turfgrass without a soil test; (iii) prohibiting the application of nutrients to impervious surfaces; and (iv) setting standards for soil analysis techniques, equipment calibration, and the timing of the application. Sellers and appliers of fertilizer shall be required to submit annual reports to the Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services noting the amounts sold or applied by locality. Lawn and turf fertilizer bags will carry a statement cautioning against improper application. Effective July 1, 2012, and subject to exemptions for newly established turfgrass and gardens, no businesses shall sell (a) turf maintenance fertilizer containing phosphorus without point-of-sale limitations; (b) deicing agent containing urea; and (c) fertilizer without prominently displaying cautionary signage regarding excessive use. The Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services may impose a civil penalty of up to $250 for violations of these provisions. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is requested to provide a report concerning the use of slowly-available nitrogen in fertilizer material to the legislative committees with subject matter jurisdiction over agriculture and the environment. Read the Bill »

Status

02/02/2011: Merged into HB1831

History