MARCH 2009 BRIEFING
HIGHLIGHTS
Topic: Phosphorus Fertilizer Bans
in Lake County
On March 26, 2009, private citizens, government officials, nonprofit representatives, and members of the business community gathered at the Vernon Hills Village Hall to learn about the impact of phosphorus on our lakes and waterways and how a growing number of municipalities are tackling the problem. In recent years, there has been a strong movement in the Midwest to ban phosphorus in lawn fertilizers to protect water resources. Numerous lake associations, cities, and counties in Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin have enacted such bans. Minnesota became the first to create a statewide ban in 2005. Similar bills are currently pending in the Michigan and Wisconsin legislatures. Illinois, however, has been slow to enact similar changes. In lake-rich Lake County, homeowners and municipalities are starting to take notice and ordinances have been drafted and passed. This presentation focused on the processes which communities in the county are using to address phosphorus problems, as well as some of the challenges they are experiencing.
The featured speaker was Kelly Deem, Water Quality Specialist with the Lake County Health Department Lakes Management Unit.
David Brown, Village Engineer for the Village of Vernon Hills, spoke about their newly enacted ordinance, the economic benefits of the ban, and the challenges that the Village faced in enacting and enforcing the ordinance.
More than 50 people attended this terrific event.
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