A federal Environmental Protection Agency official says a new Maryland law limiting lawn fertilizer use will help the state meet its Chesapeake Bay restoration goals.

EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Shawn Garvin says limiting fertilizer use on lawns, golf courses, parks and other areas is one of the most cost-effective ways to cut waterway pollution.

Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley signed the law Thursday. Lawns are being eyed in bay cleanup efforts because grass covers more acres in the bay watershed than any other crop, and is expected to soon exceed all other crops combined. And while fertilizers help lawns grow, they also harm water quality when they reach the bay.

Maryland joins Virginia, where a similar bill was signed into law this year.

©2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.