On Dec. 29, the EPA established the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL), a comprehensive “pollution diet” with rigorous accountability measures to initiate sweeping actions to restore clean water in the Chesapeake Bay and the region’s streams, creeks and rivers. This watershed cleanup process will ultimately be used as a model for cleanup efforts in other parts of the country. Superintendents have been working with state officials as they prepare Watershed Implementation Plans indicating how each state will accomplish its share of the pollution diet. A focus on phosphorus and nitrogen could pose challenges to the golf industry.
The CB TMDL includes loading limits for nitrogen, phosphorus and sediments from point and nonpoint sources of pollution. The plan is structured to place pollution controls necessary to meet state water quality standards in the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia by 2015.
Specifically, the TMDL sets Bay watershed limits of 185.9 million pounds of nitrogen, 12.5 million pounds of phosphorus and 6.45 billion pounds of sediment per year – a 25 percent reduction in nitrogen, 24 percent reduction in phosphorus and 20 percent reduction in sediment.
Each of the seven states has created a WIP that documents how the state will partner with federal and local governments to achieve and maintain water quality standards. Phase 1 WIPs were approved by the EPA in December. Most state WIPs address nutrient management and sediment control. For example, the Virginia WIP says the state should consider requiring nutrient management plans to be implemented on all private and publicly owned golf courses. The Pennsylvania WIP calls for increasing compliance and enforcement of existing stormwater requirements, and supports statewide fertilizer legislation and the reduction in the availability of nutrient-based fertilizers.
Superintendents have been actively working with local, state and federal authorities to show that: turfgrass itself should be considered a valuable green space in the CB watershed; a healthy stand of turfgrass has many benefits; there is a high degree of professional management related to the general management of turfgrass on golf courses; and any regulation should allow for professional management practices that promote healthy green spaces.
In 2011, while the states continue to implement their WIPs, they will begin development of Phase II WIPs, designed to more closely engage local governments, watershed organizations, conservation districts, citizens and other key stakeholders in reducing water pollution. The Phase II WIPs are expected to provide local area targets for implementation on a smaller scale. For more information, visit the EPA’s Chesapeake Bay TMDL website.
