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Peconic Estuary Region - Nitrogen Management Challenge
To eliminate existing stresses and reduce future stresses in the Peconic Estuary Region with respect to nitrogen, the Peconic Estuary Program seeks to work with the east end golf courses to better manage nitrogen inputs to ground and surface waters by:- Developing and implementing comprehensive nitrogen management plans
on golf courses.
- Reducing, to the maximum extent possible, areas to which fertilizers
are applied (including both play areas and ornamental lawn areas).
- Eliminating fertilizer applications in 50 foot buffer zones adjacent
to surface waters and wetlands.
- Reducing nitrogen application rates and the total amount of nitrogen
applied to golf courses, to the extent possible.
- Implementing structural* and non-structural** best management practices for fertilizer applications so the golf course's contribution to groundwater nitrogen levels is no more than 2 mg/L.
- Evaluating the potential for nitrogen input reductions from other sources (including: equipment wash-off areas, composting facilities, on-site wastewater disposal systems, etc.) and implementing feasible practices and alternatives.
Meeting this challenge can be measured by:
- Reporting on the status of developing and implementing comprehensive
nitrogen management plans.
- Reporting on the land area to which fertilizers are applied.
- Reporting on the extent to which fertilizer applications within 50
feet of surface waters and wetlands has been eliminated.
- Reporting on fertilizer application rates and the overall amounts and types of fertilizers that are applied
- Reporting on best management practices that are implemented.
- Groundwater nitrogen measurements.
- Participation in efforts to reduce other sources of nitrogen and the implementation of feasible alternatives.
The Peconic Estuary Program will:
- Provide each golf course an aerial image of its property to assist in the site assessment process.
- Provide existing surface and ground water quality data from locations
at or near each golf course.
- Provide technical assistance to develop a customized nitrogen management
plan
- Identify funding opportunities and provide assistance in securing funding for technical assistance, capital improvements and the implementation of management practices, including pilots and demonstrations.
- Provide technical and financial assistance to address related management
challenges, including wash-off pads, grass clipping and compost management,
and chemical storage.
- Develop recognition programs.
- Provide additional assistance, as is possible.
Future Collaboration: The Peconic Estuary Program and its stakeholders
welcome the opportunity to work with the Golf Course Industry to address
other environmental matters of concern (such as: proper disposal of banned
or unneeded pesticides, overall pesticide reduction, habitat protection,
etc.)
Timing: Comprehensive nitrogen management plans on golf courses
should be developed within 2 years (2004-05) and implementation of these
plans should follow. Any readily implementable actions should be carried
out as soon as is practicable. Upon reaching an agreement, an appropriate
public announcement will be made.
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* Structural practices for fertilizer
management include: fertigation systems, drainage water capture and re-use,
etc.
** Non-structural practices for fertilizer
management include: reducing application rates, using slow release products,
and smaller more frequent applications, etc.