Information in this section is organized into modules that have been developed and piloted through a variety of golf course operators and owners.  They include:

• Site Evaluation
• Wellhead Protection
• Fuel Storage
• Pesticide Handling and Application
• Pesticide and Fertilizer Storage
• Pesticide Mixing and Loading Pad

Site Evaluation

This module will examine the natural resources on your property and identify aspects of the turf management operation that may have the potential to impact these resources.  An evaluation of the current level of protection for groundwater, surface water and soil will be made by examining the location and condition of a number of items in your property including pesticide, fertilizer, and fuel storage areas, mixing and loading areas, equipment washing areas, the septic system, well and compost areas.

There are three exercises in the site evaluation module:

Exercise One - to create a map of the property, locate important features, and potential pollution sources, and indicate their proximity to natural resources. 

Exercise Two - to review a list of items and approximate the areas associated with the ones that reside on your property.  These include items such as maintained turf areas, wetlands, natural areas, ponds, lakes, and forested areas.

Exercise Three - using your created map, and knowledge of the site, complete a ranking table.  Items such as pesticide and fertilizer storage areas, soil piles, and equipment washing areas are ranked according to their proximity to natural resources and their level of protection.

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Wellhead Protection

Clean drinking water is vital to residents, businesses and industries throughout Michigan. Approximately one half of Michigan's residents depend on groundwater for drinking water purposes. When water wells are improperly constructed or maintained, or if the land surrounding the well is not properly managed, pathogens, pesticides, fertilizers, oil products or other contaminants may impact the groundwater that serves your home or business.

Businesses within the turfgrass industry use different types of wells depending on the amount of water needed and the characteristics of the local geology. To properly protect all wells on the property, it is important to identify the type of well you are using according to guidelines created by the Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act, Act 399, P.A. 1976, as amended. To assist with the identification, a description of each well type is listed below including a reference to its location in Act 399. Also included in this module is information on the well construction and pump installation requirements that are specified in Part 127 of the Groundwater Quality Control Act 368.

The wellhead protection module assists the property owner in identifying the types of wells that exist on the property, and identifying  the greatest risks to those wells in the following categories:

• Location and Geology
• Isolation Distances
• Well Condition
• Well Management

For additional information on Wellhead Protection, contact the Department of Environmental Quality's Water Division.

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Fuel Storage

Fuel storage has long been recognized as one of the most significant threats to water quality. Given the fact that it is often difficult to assess the condition of underground storage tanks, many golf operations have replaced underground with above ground storage tanks. To reduce the potential for groundwater contamination, properties with underground tanks that were installed before December 22, 1988 were required to upgrade or remove them by December 22, 1998. If you have not upgraded or removed your old tanks, you are out of compliance with the law.

Regulations for above and below ground tanks involve federal, state and local authorities that can be very confusing at times. In general, underground tanks are highly regulated, requiring specific record keeping schedules in response to the elevated risk for groundwater contamination. Regulations for small, above ground tanks are generally less complex and in many cases present the most manageable options for golf course properties.

The fuel storage module is divided up into the following sections that outline the major requirements of fuel storage, based on the type of tank on the property:

• Aboveground tanks of 1,100 gallons or less
• Aboveground tanks greater than 1,100 gallons
• Underground tanks 110 gallons or less
• Underground tanks greater than 110 gallons

For more information on storage tanks, contact the Department of Environmental Quality's Waste and Hazardous Materials Division.

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Pesticide Handling and Application

The tasks of handling and applying pesticides have inherent risks and responsibilities.  In this module we clarify the requirements and considerations that pesticide users must adhere to legally for their safety, the safety of others, and the environment.

The situations requiring a business license and individual applicator credentials for using pesticides are discussed.  Pesticide operations are reviewed from paperwork, a physical, a mechanical, and a practical standpoint.  After evaluating the essential components of a sound pesticide application operation, the modules step through:

• key decisions for determining the need for pesticide application
• how pesticide selection choices are made with safety in mind
• standard pesticide handling and application precautions to protect the applicator and the environment

For additional information on Pesticide Handling and Application contact the Michigan Department of Agriculture's Environmental Stewardship Division.

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Pesticide and Fertilizer Storage

The use of pesticides and fertilizers in golf turf maintenance so one of the most environmentally friendly sensitive activities of the business.  The application of pesticides and fertilizers and the potential for environmental impact after application is often the object of public debate.  Yet it is the storage of these products on your property that  presents a serious potential for environmental impact that is often overlooked.  These products are packaged in concentrated form and thoughtful consideration is required to endure protection on natural resources, particularly groundwater to catastrophic events like a fire or large spill.

It is important to note the manner in which businesses are defined within the existing and proposed pesticide and fertilizer storage rules.  Agricultural operations are regarded as those who produce an agricultural commodity and a commercial operation are generally defined as those who redistribute the products (fertilizers or pesticides) or offer application services.  In some cases, golf courses do not fall within either category and are therefore not regulated.  In these cases it is prudent to comply with the intent and spirit of the regulation because you will provide significant protection toward natural resources.

The information in this module will:

• provide an understanding of the existing and proposed regulation
• determine if you store "bulk" quantities
• assess your level of environmental protection
• lead you through some recommended storage practices

For additional information on pesticide and fertilizer storage, contact the Michigan department of Agriculture's Environmental Stewardship Division.

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Pesticide Mixing and Loading Pad

In the early 1990’s professionals from Michigan’s agricultural industries including turfgrass industry representatives, worked with environmental groups, citizen groups and the Michigan Department of Agriculture to construct a set of rules to describing the use of pesticides by commercial applicators. The result of this effort was a package of 16 rules commonly referred to as Regulation 637. It was enacted October 29, 1992 and is currently contained in Public Act 451  Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act.

This module will describe the mixing and loading pad rules and help you assess whether you are required to have a pad. In addition to measuring compliance, this module is also designed to evaluate your mixing and loading operation for its level of pollution prevention. Commercial pesticide application is generally recognized as the application of pesticides on the property of another as a routine work assignment or pesticide applications that are hired by the property owner for use on their land. This includes applications on school grounds, golf courses, parks and all applications conducted by lawn care companies. All persons using pesticides in a commercial setting are required to have an applicator credential issued by the Michigan Department of Agriculture.

For more information please contact the Department of Agriculture's Environmental Stewardship Division.

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