3/29/2011 SEWER COMMISSION Minutes

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fertilizers, or reducing the areas currently fertilized. Golf courses are located in Brewster, Chatham, and Harwich. HW recommends a coordinated process between the Pleasant Bay Alliance and the golf courses. An agreement should be developed and signed onto by each golf course and their respective Town to set reduction targets, but allow the flexibility in implementation to reach the target over a five-year rolling period. Alternatively, each town,where a golf course exists, could develop a general bylaw to specify the fertilization practices appropriate for each course. The target for fertilization reduction should be detailed in each agreement or bylaw. It should also require that annual reports be filed by each golf course to their respective towns describing their fertilizer applications for the year to show compliance with the agreement or bylaw. The adoption of an agreement or general bylaw identifies the activities that will be undertaken by course operators and will help prove to DEP that these changes are long-term in nature. The specifics of the agreement or bylaw should be determined in consultation with the golf course superintendents, or other representatives, to ensure the adopted practices allow continued, healthy use of the golf course. Some golf courses, such as Captain's Golf Course, have already implemented strategies to reduce fertilizer loads. The consultations will therefore document recent changes in fertilizer practices that have already taken place and that will support the adoption of the identified changes. A stakeholder committee with representatives from the golf courses, the Alliance and member towns should be established to facilitate this discussion,with the goal of reaching consensus on appropriate loading allowances,prior to adoption of the bylaws. This committee could also remain in operation over time to evaluate the effectiveness of the agreements or bylaws and make recommendations for any adjustments that may be needed based on the operation of the golf courses. Implenientation: Similar to the process for passing a municipal fertilizer best management practices bylaw or policy, it is recommended that there is a consensus building process prior to the agreement or bylaw being drafted to determine the specific fertilizer practices and limits. It is recommended that a golf course fertilizer reduction of 40%be achieved in the watershed by taking the rolling average of fertilizer application over a five year period. .Though consultation with golf course managers and the Alliance and the towns,the level of reduction required for each golf course could be determined. This allows golf course managers flexibility in achieving the required reductions on a year-to-year basis and reductions can be made through any combination of a reduction in area fertilized or a reduction in fertilizer application on roughs, greens,tees, and/or fairways. Maintenance over Time: Ongoing compliance with the agreement or bylaw would require the submission of annual reports by each golf course to their respective towns to document that they have only applied fertilizers in concert with the agreement or bylaw. This is standard practice at many existing golf courses on Cape Cod and throughout Massachusetts to document compliance of nitrogen loading to DEP for a course's groundwater discharge permit. Annual reporting is also used to document compliance with Cape Cod Commission Development of Regional Impact - permits for a number of golf courses on Cape Cod. An annual meeting of golf course superintendants and other members of the stakeholder group should be held to provide an opportunity for updates and training. Pleasant Bay Fertilizer Management Plan 31 Horsley Witten Group, Inc. Final Report December 2010