Officials say phosphorus appears to be a leading cause of the algae and muck problems that plague the Saginaw Bay.

Local landscaping company owners spoke before the County Board, encouraging commissioners to consider lobbying for a statewide ban instead of adopting a local ban.

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Multiple commissioners, however, agreed with Chairman Kim Coonan that ?EUR??,,????'?????<

Phosphorus is a nutrient found in most lawn fertilizers. A local ban could only apply to phosphorus use, not sales, because that?EUR??,,????'?????<

Minnesota adopted a statewide ban on phosphorus in 2002, and since then has seen a large reduction in phosphorus levels in water, officials noted.