Why is runoff bad for the environment?
Runoff from agricultural land (and even our own yards) can carry excess nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus into streams, lakes, and groundwater supplies. These excess nutrients have the potential to degrade water quality.
How do I get help with wetlands protection in Massachusetts?
Contact your local conservation commission (through Town or City Hall), the regional office of MA DEP, or an attorney, consulting civil engineer, or wetlands scientist. The Wetlands Protection Act regulations, policies, guidance documents, and other wetlands related materials are available electronically on the MA DEP website.
Do you have a safety program for your golf course?
Every golf course needs written sections on safety in the various documents that guide its operation. This includes standard operating procedures, long-range planning, your orientation and training manual and as a budgetary item. So, you don’t have a safety program? Or, the existing one is weak at best.
What are the two types of runoff?
Runoff may be classified according to speed of appearance after rainfall or melting snow as direct runoff or base runoff, and according to source as surface runoff, storm interflow, or groundwater runoff. 2. The sum of total discharges described in (1), above, during a specified period of time.
Is it toxic to live near a golf course?
Toxic Fairways Golfers, often playing shortly after pesticides have been applied, can be exposed directly to the pesticides on the turf, as well as to pesticide vapors and mists. People living near a golf course may be affected by sprays and dusts blown from the golf course onto their property and into their homes.
Is golf course runoff a nonpoint source pollution?
Golf courses have the potential to be a nonpoint source of pollution. During the construction of a golf course, for example, erosion is a primary concern. Without adequate drainage and erosion control measures, water or wind may transport sediments off-site and into surface waters.
Is golf course fertilizer toxic?
According to the research team, in general, when used according to the label directions, chemicals such as pesticides and fertilizers approved for use on golf course turf are not believed to pose a real health risk to either the workers who apply the chemicals or to others who may come into contact with them after ...
Are golf courses sprayed with chemicals?
The Pesticide Specialist explained that pesticides are used on golf courses and other recreational areas to maintain the health and appearance of the turf. James learned that most golf courses have highly trained golf course superintendents who manage the course, including turf management and pest control strategies.
Who regulates nonpoint source pollution?
Federal laws. There are two principal federal laws effecting NPS water pollution: the Clean Water Act and the Coastal Zone Management Act. In addition, EPA's "Clean Water Action Plan" (2009) outlines a strategy for enforcing CWA requirements, some of which are applicable to nonpoint sources.
Which of the following is not responsible for environmental damage?
1 Answer. (D) Solar energy.
What do golf courses spray on greens?
Chlorpyrifos is an organophosphate insecticide used extensively in the agricultural industry, as well as on golf courses, green houses, and as mosquito adulticide.
Are golf course ponds toxic?
Farms and golf courses use a variety of chemicals and pesticides that can kill fish and other aquatic animals if sprayed near or in water. Sometimes the chemicals -- even those properly applied -- can be flushed into a canal or pond as run-off during a torrential rainstorm.
Why are golf courses bad for the environment?
Courses dump often unregulated fertilisers and pesticides on their greenways to keep the grass looking unnaturally green. The fertilisers run off into bodies of water, causing a state of nutrient over-enrichment called eutrophication which results in algal blooms that destroy ecosystems.
How often do golf courses spray?
To the casual observer, spraying greens every one or two weeks may appear to be overkill. However, short spray intervals allow superintendents to observe putting green performance throughout the season and apply products only at the appropriate time to maximize their efficacy.
Do they use paraquat on golf courses?
As an effective weed killer, paraquat has historically been used by golf courses in groundskeeping. Today, however, paraquat use is banned on golf courses by the EPA. The powerful herbicide is classified as a “Restricted Use” chemical and applicators must be licensed.
Is paraquat herbicide used on golf courses?
Paraquat, a chemical herbicide and effective weed killer, has been sold by Syngenta and Chevron since the 1960s and has been widely used on golf courses, recreational areas, such as parks, and extensively within the agricultural industry.
Some definitions of runoff
1. That part of the precipitation, snow melt, or irrigation water that appears in uncontrolled (not regulated by a dam upstream) surface streams, rivers, drains or sewers.
Runoff and water quality
A significant portion of rainfall in forested watersheds is absorbed into soils ( infiltration ), is stored as groundwater, and is slowly discharged to streams through seeps and springs.
Why might stormwater runoff be a problem?
As it flows over the land surface, stormwater picks up potential pollutants that may include sediment, nutrients (from lawn fertilizers), bacteria (from animal and human waste), pesticides (from lawn and garden chemicals), metals (from rooftops and roadways), and petroleum by-products (from leaking vehicles).
What is included in a golf course safety manual?
This includes standard operating procedures, long-range planning, your orientation and training manual and as a budgetary item.
How to keep your work area clean?
Rule #10. Keep you and your work area clean. After handling any material, wash thoroughly with soap and water. Clean work surfaces at least once a shift so that contamination risks are minimized.
What is the best investment for a golf facility?
One of the best investments any golf facility can make is to purchase safety training videos. Many of these videos come in bilingual editions and all training must be in a language that the employee can comprehend.
What is BLR in chemical handling?
Business & Legal Resources (BLR), a provider of employment, safety and environmental compliance solutions, lists some key rules for workers who handle dangerous chemicals. You’ll undoubtedly have other safety rules to add to the BLR’s list. Better yet, present the list in a safety meeting and get employees involved in helping you add to the list. This will create a sense of ownership over your safe chemical handling rules. To employees, they’ll be “our” rules rather than “their” rules. That way, people will be more likely to follow them.
What is the rule of thumb for cleaning hands?
Don’t, for example, use solvents to clean your hands, or gasoline to wipe down equipment. Rule #7. Never eat or drink while handling any materials, and if your hands are contaminated, don’t use cosmetics or handle contact lenses.
Is a golf course a workplace?
A golf course is no different than any other workplace. Workers must abide by safety procedures, and a safe environment must be provided for golfers. Subscribe.
Is golf course safety a risk compliance company?
It may not come as a surprise that another company speciali zes in golf course safety and has consultation as well as safety training videos specific to golf facilities. I have recommended clients to consider using Golf Safety, which is a risk-compliance company. Bill Culbertson and Todd Miller have a very nice product and service, which could help anyone across the country. They have information specific to each state to be sure you are following your local regulations.
How far away from a stream can you put a small project in a buffer zone?
For small projects located entirely in the 100-foot wetlands buffer zone (but not within 200-feet of a perennial stream or river) you may submit a Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA) with a plan, sketch or other description of the work to be done, showing any measures you plan to take to protect nearby wetlands from alteration. If the project is determined to have no wetlands impact, you will be given permission to proceed as soon as a 10-day appeal period passes. Certain small projects are exempt.
How long does it take to appeal a conservation order?
You may appeal an Order of Conditions issued under the Act within 10 days. Abutters, ten residents of the community, and MA DEP can also appeal within the 10-day period. There is a different appeal time and process to appeal an Order of Conditions issued under a city/town wetland bylaw/ordinance. It is best to consult a lawyer immediately if you are considering an appeal of a conservation commission decision.
What is a wetland resource area?
Many wetland resource areas are defined by an abundance of wetland plants, hydrology, or soil type. Riverfront resource areas (land within 200 feet of rivers or within 25 feet of some urban rivers) are in most cases measured from the top of the bank of the river or stream.
How long does it take for a commission to issue a decision?
Once the hearing is completed and closed, the commission must issue its decision, known as an “Order of Conditions,” within 21 days.
Who issues the 310 CMR 10.00?
Regulations for the Act ( 310 CMR 10.00 ), and related guidance and policy documents, are issued by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MA DEP). Many cities and towns have adopted local zoning or non-zoning wetland ordinances or bylaws that are stricter than the Act. Applications for work in wetland resource areas covered by ...
Does Massachusetts have wetlands?
In addition to the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, a majority of the cities and towns in Massachusetts have their own wetlands ordinances/bylaws that provide more protections to wetlands than does the state law. The state and local wetlands laws are administered together by the local conservation commission.