Ottawa County Health Department officials and local conservationists, including representatives from Clean-up Our River Environment (C.O.R.E.) and the Alliance for the Great Lakes requested the ban. They cited the link between phosphorus and toxic algae blooms, and the already high levels of phosphorus in county soils.

The county’s Environmental Health Director, Adam London, told the board phosphorus is “junk food for algae.” He said algae can be toxic, contributes to respiratory and nervous system problems, and lead to problems with the liver.

London said a ban on phosphorus fertilizers is “good stewardship for our environment.”

Kaye Nedderman of Grand Haven, who represented C.O.R.E. and has presented to the county board numerous times on the issue, said one pound of phosphorus can stimulate the growth of 500 pounds of algae.

On the other side of the debate, members from the agricultural and business community urged the county board to wait and see what the state Legislature does with a phosphorus ban before enacting a countywide ban. They asked for more and better research, saying they do not see how a ban on phosphorus use will have any significant impact on water quality.

Tom Smith, executive director of the Michigan Turfgrass Coalition and member of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality’s phosphorus work group, traveled from Mason to present the county board with his findings. He said there is “still tremendous research that needs to be done” and a statewide ban would be more effective.

This law follows Muskegon County, which has also banned these fertilizers starting in the new year. Ottowa?EUR??,,????'???s ban will take effect Jan. 1, 2008