The county Board of Commissioners adopted the ban after a public hearing at which four people voiced support for the ordinance. The board approved the ordinance, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2009 by an 8-2 vote.

Jamie Cross, of the Alliance for the Great Lakes, said phosphorus promotes plant growth and can lead to algae blooms and weeds in lakes.

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According to a letter from the Lake Allegan / Kalamazoo River Watershed Phosphorus Total Maximum Daily Load Implementation Committee, one pound of phosphorus can support growth of 500 pounds of algae.

Board member Max Thiele opposed the ban, saying it wasn?EUR??,,????'?????<

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He and board member Don Black voted against the ordinance.

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Exemptions permitted under the ordinance include newly established turf when soil tests show a phosphorus level is less than that established by the Michigan State University Extension for agricultural or garden use or in situations where phosphorus is needed when applying compost.

Violation of the ordinance would be a civil infraction costing $50 per violation for homeowners. Commercial users would pay $50 for the first violation in a 12-month period, $150 for the second and $300 for each violation thereafter.