Best Management Practices for Maryland Golf Courses

Floodplains

Re-establishment of natural water systems helps mitigate flooding and control stormwater. Therefore, high sediment and nutrient loads should be addressed, as well as vertical and lateral stream migration, which causes unstable banks, flooding, and reductions in groundwater recharge. Land use decisions and engineering standards must be based on the latest research science available.

Best Management Practices

• Install stream buffers to restore natural water flows and flooding controls. • Install buffers in play areas to stabilize and restore natural areas that will attract wildlife species. • Install detention basins to store water and reduce flooding at peak flows.

Wetlands

The biological activity of plants, fish, animals, insects, and especially bacteria and fungi in a healthy, diverse wetland is the recycling factory of our ecosystem. While wetlands do pose a special concern, their mere presence is not incompatible with environmentally sound golf courses. With care in design and management, many golf holes have been threaded through sensitive areas. When incorporated into a golf course design, wetlands should be maintained as preserves and separated from managed turf areas with native vegetation or structural buffers. In addition, constructed or disturbed wetlands can be designed and permitted as an integral part of the stormwater management system. • Maintain appropriate silt fencing and BMP on projects upstream to prevent erosion and sedimentation. • Natural waters cannot be considered treatment systems and must be protected. (Natural waters do not include treatment wetlands.) • Establish a low- to no-maintenance level within a 75-foot buffer along nontidal and tidal wetlands. • Establish and maintain a 100-foot riparian buffer around wetlands, springs, and spring runs. Best Management Practices

Lake and Ponds

Most golf courses plan their lakes and water hazards to be a part of the stormwater control and treatment system. However, natural waters of the state cannot be considered treatment systems and must be protected. Lakes and ponds may also be used as a source of irrigation water. Therefore, it is important to consider these functions when designing and constructing the ponds. Peninsular projections and long, narrow fingers may prevent mixing. Ponds that are too shallow

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