Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
All golf courses are required to have a nutrient management plan by July 1, 2017.
The golf course owner is subject to a $250 civil penalty if a nutrient management plan is not submitted for approval within 90 days of July 1, 2017.
Nutrient management plans for golf courses are valid for five years unless the course undergoes major redesign or renovation during that time. If a major redesign or renovation occurs, the nutrient management plan will need to be revised.
Only a certified nutrient management plan writer can write a nutrient management plan. Anyone who has a background in turfgrass or horticulture production may become certified, but he or she has to meet the education, experience and exam requirements. Get more information about certification, or contact DCR's training and certification coordinator at 804-382-3911.
There are also private certified planners who write nutrient management plans. See the directory of certified nutrient management planners.
Yes. All planners have their own fee structure for writing nutrient management plans. The fee to write a plan usually does not include taking soil samples.
Any area that has the potential to receive nutrients during the five years of the plan needs to be covered.
A golf course will only have one plan, but the organization of the plan allows for areas that are managed similarly to be grouped together in management units. Each management unit will have its own nutrient application worksheet (the schedule of nutrient applications). Talk with a certified planner about the organization of a nutrient management plan; they will be happy to explain the details or contact DCR's Urban Nutrient Management Specialist, Gonzalo Ortiz, Gonzalo.Ortiz@dcr.virginia.gov, Cell: 804-217-2010.
Soil sampling is the start of every nutrient management plan. Soil test results used to write a plan must be less than three years old. Each management area must have soil test results in order to make nutrient recommendations. Talk with a certified planner to discuss the details of this requirement, or contact DCR's Urban Nutrient Management Specialist, Gonzalo Ortiz, Gonzalo.Ortiz@dcr.virginia.gov, Cell: 804-217-2010.
Each plan consists of a cover sheet, maps, soil test results, nutrient application worksheets and reference materials. There are specific details for each part that are required by the Nutrient Management Training and Certification Regulations 10.1-104.2 of the Code of Virginia. Work with a certified planner to learn specific details.
The length of time that it takes to get a nutrient management plan written is highly variable. This is one of the first topics that should be discussed with a certified plan writer. Ultimately, the time it takes depends on how much initial information is provided to the planner.
To help expedite the plan writing process, have soil test reports that are less than three years old for all of the management areas on the course, the golf course site map and information about the current fertility schedule readily available. Talk with certified planners to learn more about the specific information they need to meet plan requirements.
DCR will either approve a plan or send a list of required plan revisions to certified nutrient management planners with 30 days of submission.
If a course already has a current (not expired) nutrient management plan and the soil tests are less than three years old, the plan writer can make a plan revision to update the plan end date to be valid for five years.
If a course already has a valid nutrient management plan but does not have an approval letter, work with the certified plan writer to submit the plan to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. For instructions on how to submit a plan, contact DCR's Urban Nutrient Management Specialist, Gonzalo Ortiz, Gonzalo.Ortiz@dcr.virginia.gov, Cell: 804-217-2010.
Nutrient management plans for golf courses should only be submitted to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. When a plan is approved, the planner will receive an approval letter from DCR that should be kept with the plan.
