3/29/2011 SEWER COMMISSION Minutes

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Estuary Program developed a practical load reduction strategy to meet the Peconic Bay nitrogen TMDL. Among other nitrogen sources,this strategy targets fertilizer applications to golf courses,municipal properties, and residences. The strategy will include the following activities, relevant to the Pleasant Bay watershed: • Work cooperatively with 34 golf courses to reduce nitrogen loads to groundwater through improved management practices; and • Manage the use of fertilizers by conducting the following activities: o Enact a county law banning the application of nitrogen-based fertilizers on turf grass between November 1 and April 1, o Prohibit fertilizer use on county property at any time (except county golf courses, ballfields,the County farm, and newly seeded/sodded areas -in all these instances BMPs must also be followed); o Require licensed"home improvement contractors" (which includes landscapers) to complete a turf management course; o Mandate informational signs and brochures at retail establishments that sell fertilizers, as well as calling for an annual report on fertilizer sales; and o Establish a public education effort. Changes in golf course fertilizer management will be implemented by encouraging golf courses to accept the"Nitrogen Management Challenge," a partnership between each golf course,EPA, the United States Golf Association (USGA), Cornell University, local government, and concerned citizens with the goal of reducing nitrogen fertilizer loads to surface and ground water: (http://wAvw.epa.gov/re iog n02/p2/nitrogen management/). The goal of this program is to implement BMPs for the following activities: • Course design; • Turf maintenance; • Cleaning of turf maintenance equipment; and • Proper management of compost. As of September 2004, 30 of the 34 (more than 88%)public and private golf courses on the east end of Long Island (http://www.peconicestuary.orv/News.Golf.html)had accepted the challenge to voluntarily better manage their fertilizer use and limit the amount of nitrogen that enters groundwater. Applicability fog•Pleasant Bay: This program could be adapted to golf courses within Pleasant Bay, and modified to encourage pro-active actions to reduce fertilizer use. 5.0 RECOMMENDED FERTILIZER MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES The identification and analysis of fertilizer management strategies has followed a phased process. HW initially identified 17 strategies that were presented for consideration by the Pleasant Bay Alliance Watershed,Work Group. These strategies are summarized in Appendix C, and were the focus of a detailed discussion at a May 26, 2010 Work Group meeting. The outcome of this discussion was a request for HW to further develop the following six strategies: Pleasant Bay Fertilizer Management Plan 28 Horsley Witten Group,Inc. Final Report December 2010