02-10-1997 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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f RESULTS AND DISCUSSION STUDY SITE SELECTION• * Selection of sample sites was limited to those courses where permission to establish sampling stations could be obtained. As a result, the four courses included in the study do not have the full range of soil types and topography found on golf courses in the TCMA. For example, none of the sample sites have the sandy soils typical of the north and south TCMA areas. Topography of the courses Is also more uniform than desired. All four courses in the study have some slopes greater than 12 percent, which is not true of all courses in the TCMA. Overall, however, the four golf courses do reflect a range of soils, topography, and turf quality typical of most courses in the area. At the conclusion of the study it was discovered that three of the four courses, (Minikahda, Baker National, and Woodhill) had applied for certification as members of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System. The program, which is sponsored by the New York Audubon Society, is designed to promote environmentally sensitive management practices and integrated pest management on golf courses. Currently only three golf courses in Minnesota, including the Minikahda Club and Baker National, are Audubon certified. Presumably, Involvement in this program indicates a higher level of concern for the effects of chemical use on the golf course and adjacent environment. It is unclear, however, to what extent this concern has been translated into reduced chemical use or into management practices which reduce pollutant runoff below that expected from typical golf courses. In any event, the three study courses involved in the program continue to maintain very high turf quality relative to other courses in the TCMA, and therefore, the runoff quality should be representative of typical golf course conditions. FERTILIZER AND PESTICIDE APPLICATION The specific fertilizers and pesticides applied to each course in 1994 are shown in Tables 2,3,4 and 5. Baker National received the highest amount of phosphorus per acre, 5.2, and the Minikahda Club received the most nitrogen, 41.7 Ibs/acre. However, all four courses received similar amounts, except for Meadowbrook which received only 0.5 Ibs/acre of phosphorus. The amount of phosphorus applied to the courses is significantly less than that applied to most urban lawns, approximately 30 Ibs/acre, (Creason and Runge, 1992). The fact that the course not involved in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System received amounts of fertilizer and pesticides similar to those that did, supports the contention that the courses in the study