The public has until January 7^th to submit comments on a proposed state-mandated rule regulating use of fertilizers on farms to the Office of Indiana State Chemist.  The state Legislature asked the OISC to propose the rule specifics on how fertilizer can be safely stored on farms until its use and how far from waterways and wells it can be applied and under what conditions, such as weather.

State Chemist Robert Waltz says this is simply a baseline document and something that hopefully be a basis for future needs as they are defined.  The proposed rule was developed by a committee compose of representatives of the OISC, the livestock industry, farmers, members of the Fertilizer Advisory Board, Purdue University faculty and the Indiana Department of Environmental Managements.

The requirements are designed to be consistent with IDEM regulations involving water management and to keep fertilizer material out of waterways and wells.   The OISC will consider the comments when finalizing the rule.  It will then be submitted to the Indiana attorney general for review. The rule then would go to the governor for signature and become effective one year later.

A link to the proposed rule can be found HERE