Senator Kaminsky and Assemblyman Englebright need your phone calls and letters of support to push back against the powerful fertilizer lobby. Here's how you can help:
Call Senator Kaminsky's Albany office: (518) 455-3401 and tell him you support Bill # S2130 to prohibit the sale and use of high-nitrogen, water-soluble fertilizer on Long Island.
Send a letter to Senator Kaminsky. His address is Legislative Office Building, Room 307, Albany, NY 12247. Or you can email him at kaminsky@nysenate.gov.. See our sample letter below.
Call Assemblyman Steve Englebright's Albany office: (518) 455-4804 and tell him you support Bill # A4568 to prohibit the sale and use of high-nitrogen, water-soluble fertilizer on Long Island.
Send a letter to Assemblyman Englebright. His address is Legislative Office Building, Room 621, Albany, NY 12247. Or you can email him at EngleS@nyassembly.gov. See our sample letter below.
Sample Letter of Support (PLEASE PUT ON YOUR LETTERHEAD)
Senator Todd Kaminsky Assemblyman Steve Englebright Legislative Office Bldg. Rm 307 Legislative Office Bldg. Rm 621 Albany, NY 12247 Albany, NY 12247
MEMO OF SUPPORTfor Senate bill 2130 (or Assembly bill 4568)
Dear Senator Kaminsky (or Assemblyman Englebright)
We are writing to support legislation prohibiting the sale or use of high-nitrogen, water-soluble lawn fertilizers on Long Island.
Insert a brief description of your organization and its mission
Indicate why you support the enactment of such legislation. Here are some bullet points:
• Scientists estimate that lawn fertilizer accounts for 7 to 15% of our nitrogen loading problem. • We have a single source underground aquifer system for drinking water; we can't afford to contaminate it. • We have a unique marine environment - one reason why we live here!. • We depend on clean water for swimming, boating, fishing and tourism. • Clean water is critical for our marine-related industries, especially shellfish harvesting • New York State already passed a law protecting fresh water bodies from harmful algal blooms and fish kills by prohibiting phosphorus in lawn fertilizer. • This legislation would be limited to Nassau and Suffolk Counties only. • There are many products already available for industry and homeowners that meet the new law requirements. • There would be almost no cost difference to consumers or landscapers (natural slow release products last 2-3 times as long as water soluble products). • Long Island deserve the same protection as the rest of the State.
Please send copies of your letters to Grassroots Environmental Education so we can make sure other key legislators get copies. Email: gee@grassrootsinfo.org