Text Box: Washington County Conservation District

Developing Resource Management Systems for Golf Courses

     in Washington County, Arkansas

Sarah Franklin, Water Quality Technician

Washington County Conservation District

 
Text Box: Conservation Projects

Introduction

The Washington County Conservation District (WCCD) is funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation Commission (ASWCC) to conduct resource inventories and develop nutrient management plans for golf courses and driving ranges in the Illinois and White River watersheds. This is a yearlong project that began in July 2004.  The information gathered from the resource inventories will help the district determine whether golf courses are a significant contributor of nonpoint source (NPS) pollution.  The goal of the WCCD is to produce Nutrient Management Plans for every golf course an d driving range in Washington County. Best Management Practices (BMP’s) will focus on the reduction of nutrient movement.  The District will work in cooperation with local, state, and federal agencies to educate golf course owners and operators about the inventory information. 

 

Project Goals and Objectives

♦ Collect resource inventory data for every golf course and driving range in the county.

♦ Educate golf course managers, agency personnel, and the public about the project’s inventory information.

♦ Create Nutrient Management Plans for every golf course and driving range in the  county.

♦ Calculate estimated phosphorus load reductions

 

Resource Inventory Data Collection

A key component of the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) goals is the implementation of Conservation Management Systems, which derive from Resource Management System planning and implementation.  Arkansas has developed quality criteria that are presented in either quantitative or qualitative terms for each natural resource, such as soil or water.  Previously, no resource inventory data existed for golf courses in Arkansas.

The resource inventory will allow the district to identify environmental problems, determine the objectives of golf course operators, and analyze the resource data.

 

Education and Technology Transfer

The District will work with golf course managers and owners to promote the proper use of nutrients and pesticides.

At the conclusion of the project, the district will hold two public meetings. This meeting will include golf course managers, University of Arkansas students and faculty, Cooperative Extension Service, and NRCS. We will discuss the effectiveness of best management practices in controlling the runoff of nutrients and pesticides from golf courses.

 

Development of Nutrient Management Plans

Following on-site visits to conduct the resource inventory, the district water quality technician collects soil samples for all participating golf courses and driving ranges and then uses the results to produce a nutrient management plan that will identify the potentially fertilized vegetation.  This information will be used to provide golf course managers proper fertilizer application rates and dates of optimal application.

Text Box: The Washington County Conservation District (WCCD) is funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation Commission (ASWCC) to conduct resource inventories and develop nutrient management plans for golf courses and driving ranges in the Illinois and White River watersheds. This is a yearlong project that began in July 2004. The information gathered from the resource inventories will help the district determine whether golf courses are a significant contributor of nonpoint source (NPS) pollution. The goal of the WCCD is to produce Nutrient Management Plans for every golf course an d driving range in Washington County. Best Management Practices (BMP’s) will focus on the reduction of nutrient movement. The District will work in cooperation with local, state, and federal agencies to educate golf course owners and operators about the inventory information.

Text Box: Project Goals and Objectives

Text Box: ♦ Collect resource inventory data for every golf course and driving range in the

Text Box: county.

Text Box: ♦ Educate golf course managers, agency personnel, and the public about the

Text Box: project’s inventory information.

Text Box: ♦ Create Nutrient Management Plans for every golf course and driving range in the

Text Box: county.

Text Box: ♦ Calculate estimated phosphorus load reductions

Text Box: Resource Inventory Data Collection

Text Box: A key component of the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) goals is the implementation of Conservation Management Systems, which derive from Resource Management System planning and implementation. Arkansas has developed quality criteria that are presented in either quantitative or qualitative terms for each natural resource, such as soil or water. Previously, no resource inventory data

Text Box: The resource inventory will allow the district to identify environmental problems, determine the objectives of golf course operators, and analyze the resource data.

Text Box: Education and Technology Transfer

Text Box: The District will work with golf course managers and owners to promote the proper use of nutrients and pesticides.

Text Box: At the conclusion of the project, the district will hold two public meetings. This meeting will include golf course managers, University of Arkansas students and faculty, Cooperative Extension Service, and NRCS. We will discuss the effectiveness of best management practices in controlling the runoff of nutrients and pesticides from golf courses.

Text Box: Development of Nutrient Management Plans

Text Box: Following on-site visits to conduct the resource inventory, the district water quality technician collects soil samples for all participating golf courses and driving ranges and then uses the results to produce a nutrient management plan that will identify the potentially fertilized vegetation. This information will be used to provide golf course managers proper fertilizer application rates and dates of optimal application.

Text Box: The Washington County Conservation District (WCCD) is funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation Commission (ASWCC) to conduct resource inventories and develop nutrient management plans for golf courses and driving ranges in the Illinois and White River watersheds. This is a yearlong project that began in July 2004. The information gathered from the resource inventories will help the district determine whether golf courses are a significant contributor of nonpoint source (NPS) pollution. The goal of the WCCD is to produce Nutrient Management Plans for every golf course an d driving range in Washington County. Best Management Practices (BMP’s) will focus on the reduction of nutrient movement. The District will work in cooperation with local, state, and federal agencies to educate golf course owners and operators about the inventory information.

Text Box: Project Goals and Objectives

Text Box: ♦ Collect resource inventory data for every golf course and driving range in the

Text Box: county.

Text Box: ♦ Educate golf course managers, agency personnel, and the public about the

Text Box: project’s inventory information.

Text Box: ♦ Create Nutrient Management Plans for every golf course and driving range in the

Text Box: county.

Text Box: ♦ Calculate estimated phosphorus load reductions

Text Box: Resource Inventory Data Collection

Text Box: A key component of the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) goals is the implementation of Conservation Management Systems, which derive from Resource Management System planning and implementation. Arkansas has developed quality criteria that are presented in either quantitative or qualitative terms for each natural resource, such as soil or water. Previously, no resource inventory data

Text Box: The resource inventory will allow the district to identify environmental problems, determine the objectives of golf course operators, and analyze the resource data.

Text Box: Education and Technology Transfer

Text Box: The District will work with golf course managers and owners to promote the proper use of nutrients and pesticides.

Text Box: At the conclusion of the project, the district will hold two public meetings. This meeting will include golf course managers, University of Arkansas students and faculty, Cooperative Extension Service, and NRCS. We will discuss the effectiveness of best management practices in controlling the runoff of nutrients and pesticides from golf courses.

Text Box: Development of Nutrient Management Plans

Text Box: Following on-site visits to conduct the resource inventory, the district water quality technician collects soil samples for all participating golf courses and driving ranges and then uses the results to produce a nutrient management plan that will identify the potentially fertilized vegetation. This information will be used to provide golf course managers proper fertilizer application rates and dates of optimal application.

Text Box: The Washington County Conservation District (WCCD) is funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Arkansas Soil and Water Conservation Commission (ASWCC) to conduct resource inventories and develop nutrient management plans for golf courses and driving ranges in the Illinois and White River watersheds. This is a yearlong project that began in July 2004. The information gathered from the resource inventories will help the district determine whether golf courses are a significant contributor of nonpoint source (NPS) pollution. The goal of the WCCD is to produce Nutrient Management Plans for every golf course an d driving range in Washington County. Best Management Practices (BMP’s) will focus on the reduction of nutrient movement. The District will work in cooperation with local, state, and federal agencies to educate golf course owners and operators about the inventory information.

Text Box: Project Goals and Objectives

Text Box: ♦ Collect resource inventory data for every golf course and driving range in the

Text Box: county.

Text Box: ♦ Educate golf course managers, agency personnel, and the public about the

Text Box: project’s inventory information.

Text Box: ♦ Create Nutrient Management Plans for every golf course and driving range in the

Text Box: county.

Text Box: ♦ Calculate estimated phosphorus load reductions

Text Box: Resource Inventory Data Collection

Text Box: A key component of the Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) goals is the implementation of Conservation Management Systems, which derive from Resource Management System planning and implementation. Arkansas has developed quality criteria that are presented in either quantitative or qualitative terms for each natural resource, such as soil or water. Previously, no resource inventory data

Text Box: The resource inventory will allow the district to identify environmental problems, determine the objectives of golf course operators, and analyze the resource data.

Text Box: Education and Technology Transfer

Text Box: The District will work with golf course managers and owners to promote the proper use of nutrients and pesticides.

Text Box: At the conclusion of the project, the district will hold two public meetings. This meeting will include golf course managers, University of Arkansas students and faculty, Cooperative Extension Service, and NRCS. We will discuss the effectiveness of best management practices in controlling the runoff of nutrients and pesticides from golf courses.

Text Box: Development of Nutrient Management Plans

Text Box: Following on-site visits to conduct the resource inventory, the district water quality technician collects soil samples for all participating golf courses and driving ranges and then uses the results to produce a nutrient management plan that will identify the potentially fertilized vegetation. This information will be used to provide golf course managers proper fertilizer application rates and dates of optimal application.

Best Management Practices

It is likely that nutrient management planning  can reduce the risks of golf course contributions to water pollution by implementing several suggested Best Management Practices. Suggested BMP’s include Filter Strips, Integrated Pest Management, Proper Vegetative Planting, Improved Grass Cutting, Proper Watering, and Structural (Landscape) practices. Nutrient Management is a BMP that is legally required for all nutrient management plans.

♦ Nutrient management is designed to manage the amount, source, placement,

  form, and timing of nutrients and soil amendments.  Nutrient management involves 

  the development of a nutrient budget, based on current soil tests, that identifies 

  the grass and its nutrient needs throughout its growing season. 

♦ Filter strips are vegetated areas where no fertilizer is applied  that exist to treat

   runoff sensitive areas. 

♦ Proper vegetation planting practices will ensure vigorous healthy vegetation that

  will reduce the risks of soil erosion.  A list of grasses and other cover vegetation

  that is appropriate for local conditions is available through the Washington County 

  Cooperative Extension Service.

♦ Improved grass cutting practices include recommendations for preventing grass

  diseases resulting from improper clipping, and mulching to return nutrients to the 

  soil. Encourage healthy vegetation by removing only one third of the leaf blade

  when mowing and maintaining minimum grass heights.

♦ Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an approach to controlling pests that relies

   first on non-chemical methods with the judicious use of pesticides when

   warranted.

♦ Proper Watering Practices will promote the proper timing and control of the volume

   of water that is used by the golf course manager. By promoting proper watering,

   the district will provide effective water conservation as well as nonpoint source 

   pollution reductions.

♦ Structural (Landscape) Practices are appropriate where steep slopes prevent the

   establishment of proper ground cover.  These practices include building terraces,

   retaining walls, swales, and berms in conjunction with establishing proper ground  

   cover and mulching to prevent soil erosion.
Text Box: The Nutrient Surplus Area as defined by Title 22 – The Nutrient and Poultry Litter Application and Management Program

Accomplishments

♦ 3 Nutrient Management Plans for golf courses and 1 Nutrient Management plan for

   a Driving Range.

♦ 10 Resource Inventories for golf courses, and 1 Resource Inventory for a driving 

   range.

   Results of resource inventory:

♦ Most golf courses already base nutrient application rates on soil test results, 

  which in many cases require the application of phosphorus due to low soil test 

  phosphorus levels.

♦ Golf courses apply small amounts of fertilizer frequently.

♦ Golf course managers want to avoid the over application of fertilizer since

   increased grass growth results in increased labor costs.

♦ In many cases, the Cooperative Extension Service soil test results recommend a

   complete fertilizer for the greens and fairways.

♦ All golf courses apply pesticides based on label rates as required by law.

♦ Developed vicinity map of participating golf courses within the county.

 

Conclusion

The resource inventory revealed a much smaller risk of nutrient and pesticide runoff from golf courses than we assumed, because they use good management practices, base application rates on soil test results, and only apply small amounts of fertilizer at a time.

 

Upon completion of this project, the district will calculate estimated load reductions based on BMP implementation.

 

The District will also conduct two public meetings to inform the public of the results of the resource inventory.

Vicinity Map of Golf Course Locations

 
Text Box: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD) To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Washington County Conservation District

2898 Point Circle #2

Fayetteville, AR 72704

To contact us:

Phone: (479)442-4160 ext. 3

Fax: (479)444-8726

E-mail: casey.dunigan@ar.nacdnet.net

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Golf Course Project

Project List             West Fork        Ballard Creek             Golf Course           Urban NMP            Beaver Lake