Best Management Practices for the Enhancement of Environmental Quality on Florida Golf Courses
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Best Managementfor the Practices Enhancement of Environmentalon Quality Florida Golf Courses FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION JANUARY 2007 I am pleased to present the new edition of Best Management Practices for the Enhancement of Environmental Quality on Florida Golf Courses. This manual reflects the collaborative efforts of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association, the University of Florida and many private sector partners to develop nonregulatory guidelines for minimizing pollution and conserving Florida’s precious water resources. Water conservation is one of our most crucial environmental issues. By adopting and apply- ing the practices recommended in this guide, industry as well as individuals will help pro- tect our natural resources, minimize the need for future regulations, and continue Florida’s commitment to sound environmental stew- ardship. MICHAEL W. S OLE, SECRETARY Florida Department of Environmental Protection These Best Management Practices were born from the desire of Florida golf course superintendents to demonstrate that environmental stewardship is a responsibility that is taken seriously. The Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association wishes to acknowledge the time, effort, and expertise of the staff of FDEP and other regulatory agencies, the University of Florida–IFAS faculty, and other members of the private and public sector who partnered with us to help develop these voluntary guidelines for enhancing the environment on Florida’s golf courses. There is a reason that wildlife gravitates to golf courses even in urban settings, where they serve as greenbelts. Golf courses present opportunities for many diverse wildlife habitats. By following the practices in this manual, the golf course industry will be able to demonstrate the positive contribu- tions that golf courses make to communities across the state of Florida. CRAIG WEYANDT, PRESIDENT Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association ii BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES for the Enhancement of Environmental Quality on FLORIDA GOLF COURSES ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Thanks are due to the members and Board of Directors of the Florida Golf Course Superintendents Association; to Tim Hiers, Old Collier Golf Club; and to Ron Dodson and his staff at Audubon International, for their services and cooperation over more than a decade in bringing environmen- tal stewardship to golf in Florida. Their continued assistance and counsel have been instrumental in bringing this manual, and its 1995 predecessor, to life. Thanks are also due to the following for their efforts in making this manual a reality: Michael Thomas, FDEP, editor and BMP committee chair; subcommittee chairs Ken Ezell, Clifton, Ezell, & Clifton; David Court, FGCSA; Jerry Sartain, UF–IFAS; Bryan Unruh, UF–IFAS; Eileen Buss, UF–IFAS; and Kathy Meaux, Sarasota County; as well as members/contributors Alison Ramoy, SWFWMD; Amy Meese, Sarasota Co.; Angela Chelette, NWFWMD; Bonnie Finneran, Palm Beach Co.; Brad Nestor, PGA; Bryan Unruh, UF–IFAS; Charles Pattison, 1000 Friends of Florida; Diana Grawitch, Florida Association of Counties; Dr. William Sutton, M.D.; Eileen A. Buss, UF–IFAS; Eric Reiter, Duda; Francis Flores, NWFWMD; Gary Moyer, The Villages; Geoffrey Coggan, FGCSA; George H. Snyder, UF–IFAS; Greg Lyman, GCSAA; Greg Golgowski, Harmony; Howard Jack, Audubon International; Jane Foos (deceased), FDACS; Jan Beljan, Fazio Design; Jeff Caster, ASLA; Jerry Sartain, UF–IFAS; Jim Spratt, FNGLA; Joel Jackson, FGCSA; Joellen Zeh, Audubon International; John Cisar, UF–IFAS; John Foy, USGA; John Wildmon, LCCC; Katherine Pordeli, SJRWMD; Kathy Meaux, Sarasota Co.; Kim Fikoski, Bonita Bay Group; Laurie Trenholm, UF–IFAS; Linda Jamison, Sierra Club; Lois Sorensen, SWFWMD; Michal Eldan, MAA Task Force; Matt Taylor, FCGSA; Mark Finn, Palm Beach Co.; Mike Fiddelke; Mike Kenna, USGA; Nancy Richardson, Audubon International; Peg McPherson, SFWMD; Rebecca O’Hara, Florida League of Cities; Richard Deadman, FDCA; Ron Cohen, SWFWMD; Skip Wright, FIS; Terril Nell, UF–IFAS; Todd Lowe, USGA; Tjerk van Veen, SFWMD. Special thanks are due to our final editor, Linda Lord, FDEP; to Lori Ann Pollgreen, Geographic Design; and especially to John and Jeannine Henebry, for permission to use her beautiful photo of the 16th hole at Old Collier Golf Club on our cover. There is no finer example of the use of both turf and natural buffers to protect lakes and enhance wildlife. This publication was funded in part by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection with a Section 319 Nonpoint Source Management Program Grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. DISCLAIMER The mention of a specific product or company is for information purposes only and does not con- stitute an endorsement of that product or company. Cover Photo by John and Jeannine Henebry. Copyright 2003. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission. iii Department of Environmental Protection – JANUARY 2007 FOREWORD This publication provides the superintendent or golf course operator with sound management strategies to maintain the golf course in a positive manner with respect to environmental protection, water quality protection, and conservation. It is also intended to provide elected officials, regulators, developers, and others with an overview of golf course management prac- tices and how they relate to environmental issues. This is a living document. As science and technology progress, golf industry representatives will work in conjunction with the University of Florida, staff from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and Florida Department of Community Affairs (FDCA), and other interested parties to determine the extent to which this document will be amended. A comprehensive program of best management practices (BMPs) should include a combination of components that are properly selected, designed, operated, and maintained. BMP options should be screened for feasibility based on the follow- ing factors: • Physical and technical limitations, • Operational and management limitations, • Pollutant reduction/water conservation effects, • Profitability/cost considerations, • Other benefits or disadvantages, and • Public acceptance. In the event that these BMPs are adopted by rule, as provided by Subsection 403.067(7)(c)1, Florida Statutes (F.S.), certain protection from liabilities may be established through the voluntary implementation of BMPs that have been verified by FDEP to be effective in protecting water quality. iv BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES for the Enhancement of Environmental Quality on FLORIDA GOLF COURSES Table of Contents ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS............................................III CHAPTER 5: NUTRITION AND FERTILIZATION ..........38 Overview ........................................................................38 FOREWORD ............................................................IV General......................................................................38 Site Analysis ..............................................................39 Fertilizer..........................................................................39 TABLE OF CONTENTS................................................V Terms ........................................................................39 Fertilizer Analysis ....................................................39 LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ............VII Nitrogen ....................................................................40 Phosphorus ..............................................................44 INTRODUCTION ........................................................1 Potassium..................................................................45 Secondary Plant Nutrients ........................................45 CHAPTER 1: ENVIRONMENTAL CONCEPTS................4 Micronutrients ..........................................................46 Air Quality ........................................................................4 Starting a Fertilizer Program ..........................................47 Soil and Water Quality......................................................4 Soil Acidity and Liming ............................................47 Nutrients ....................................................................4 Fertilization Program for Golf Greens......................48 Pesticides ....................................................................4 Tees............................................................................49 Wastes ........................................................................5 Fairways and Roughs................................................49 Wildlife Habitat ................................................................5 Grow-In ....................................................................50 Water Conservation ..........................................................5 Soil Sampling ............................................................50 Tissue Testing............................................................51 CHAPTER 2: ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING ..........7 Fertilizer Loading............................................................53 Quality Assurance/Quality Control ..................................7 Fertilizer Application ......................................................53 Predevelopment Monitoring ............................................7 Calibration ................................................................53 Monitoring