§ 370 - Publication; consumer information regarding fertilizer use on nonagricultural turf - Vermont Statutes

§ 370. Publication; consumer information regarding fertilizer use on nonagricultural turf

(a) The secretary shall publish on an annual basis:

(1) information concerning the distribution of fertilizers and limes;

(2) results of analyses based on official samples of fertilizers and lime distributed within the state as compared with guaranteed analyses required pursuant to the terms of this chapter.

(b)(1) The secretary, in consultation with the University of Vermont extension service, fertilizer industry representatives, lake groups, and other interested or affected parties, shall produce information for distribution to the general public with respect to the following:

(A) problems faced by the waters of the state because of discharges of phosphorus;

(B) an explanation of the extent to which phosphorus exists naturally in the soil;

(C) voluntary best management practices for the use of fertilizers containing phosphorus on nonagricultural turf; and

(D) best management practices for residential sources of phosphorus.

(2) The secretary shall develop the information required under this subsection and make it available to the general public in the manner deemed most effective, which may include:

(A) conspicuous posting at the point of retail sale of fertilizer containing phosphorus, according to recommendations for how that conspicuous posting may best take place;

(B) public service announcements by means of electronic media;

(C) other methods deemed by the secretary to be likely to be effective.

(3) The secretary shall develop proposed criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of the information program and shall present them to legislative committees on natural resources and energy and on agriculture by no later than January 1, 2007. By no later than July 1, 2007, the secretary shall hold one or more public information meetings to obtain the input of the public on a draft assessment of the effectiveness of this section in increasing the use of best management practices in the use of fertilizers on nonagricultural turf. By no later than December 1, 2008, the secretary shall provide those legislative committees with a final assessment of the effectiveness of this subsection, which shall include an analysis of the extent to which the information developed under this subsection has been effectively provided to and relied upon by retail customers who purchase fertilizers containing phosphorus and shall include any recommendations for making the program more effective. (Added 1985, No. 126 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; amended 2003, No. 42, § 2, eff. May 27, 2003; 2005, No. 215 (Adj. Sess.), § 77d.)