The Village of Egg Harbor pssed the Following Resolution at it's February 12, 2007 Village Board of Trustees meeting.

Resolution No.  2007 - 04

                                                      VILLAGE OF EGG HARBOR

            RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE REDUCTION OF PHOSPHATES IN THE VILLAGE OF EGG HARBOR

            WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Egg Harbor recognizes the positive stand taken by the Door County Board of Supervisors in adopting Resolution 2006-86 supporting the state ban on the sale and use of lawn fertilizers that contain phosphorus, and

            WHEREAS, it is vital for the Village of Egg Harbor to protect the quality of its groundwater and surface water, and

            WHEREAS, the use of phosphates in residential and commercial dishwashers necessitates the increased use of a counteracting agent at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and

            WHEREAS, the net effect is additional cost for operation of the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and the potential for harm to the groundwater and surface water including the growth of algae.

            NOW, therefore be it resolved that the Board of Trustees of the Village of Egg Harbor supports the reduction and eventual elimination of phosphates entering the sanitary facilities of the Village, and strongly encourages all residential and commercial entities to use dishwasher compounds that do not contain phosphate. 

            FURTHER, the Village of Egg Harbor Board does establish the following policy:

The Use and Sale of Lawn Fertilizers

(1)     Purpose and Intent:  The Village of Egg Harbor Board of Trustees finds that Lake Michigan and the Bay of Green Bay are natural assets which enhance the environmental, recreational, cultural, and economic resources of the area, and contribute to the general health and welfare of the public.  The Board further finds that regulating the amount of nutrients and contaminants, including phosphorus contained in fertilizer, entering the lake/bay will improve and maintain lake water quality.

(2)     This policy applies for all areas of the Village of Egg Harbor maintained by the Village public works crews.

(3)     Definition:  Lawn fertilizer means any fertilizer used for non-agricultural areas such as lawns, golf courses, parks, or cemeteries.  Lawn fertilizer does not include fertilizer products intended primarily for garden and indoor plant application.

(4)     Regulation of the Use and Application of Lawn Fertilizer: 

a.        Effective March 1, 2007, no public works crew person shall apply any lawn fertilizer within the Village of Egg Harbor that is labeled as containing more than 0% phosphorus or other compound containing phosphorus, such as phosphate, except as provided in subsection (5) below.

b.        No lawn fertilizer shall be applied when the ground is frozen.

c.        No crew person shall apply fertilizer to any impervious surface including parking lots, roadways, and driveways. 

(5)     Exemptions:

a.        Newly established turf or lawn areas during their first growing season.

b.        Turf or lawn areas that soil tests, performed within the past three years by a state-certified soil testing laboratory, confirm are below phosphorus levels established by the University of Wisconsin Extension Service.  The lawn fertilizer application shall not contain an amount of phosphorus exceeding the amount and rate of application recommended in the soil test evaluation.

c.        Agricultural uses, vegetable and flower gardens, or application to trees or shrubbery.

d.        Yard waste compost, biosolids or other similar materials that are primarily organic in nature and are applied to improve the physical condition of the soil.

(6)     Sale of Fertilizer Containing Phosphorus:  Retail merchandisers are strongly encouraged to refrain from selling any lawn fertilizer within the Village of Egg Harbor that is labeled as containing more than 0% phosphorus or other compound containing phosphorus, such as phosphate, except such fertilizer for use as provided in subsection (5).