Best Management Practices for Maryland Golf Courses

Pesticide Management

Pesticide use should be part of an overall pest management strategy that includes biological controls, cultural methods, pest monitoring, and other applicable practices, as discussed in the "Integrated Pest Management" chapter of this document. When a pesticide application is deemed necessary, its selection should be based on effectiveness, toxicity to non-target species, cost, site characteristics, and its solubility and persistence in the environment. Storage and handling of pesticides in their concentrated form poses the highest potential risk to groundwater or surface water. For this reason, it is essential that facilities for storing and handling pesticides be properly sited, designed, constructed, and operated in accordance with federal and Maryland regulations.

Regulatory Considerations

Pesticides contain active ingredients, which target the pest, and inert ingredients, such as solvents, surfactants, and carriers. Both active and inert ingredients are regulated by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), as well as by state and local laws, due to environmental and health concerns. The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) Pesticide Regulation Section is designated as the lead agency for enforcement of the Maryland Pesticide Applicators Law ( COMAR 15.05.01 ). As such, MDA is responsible for:

• Regulating the use, sale, storage, and disposal of pesticides. • Certifying pesticide applicators. • Ensuring that pesticides are applied by competent individuals. • Establishing guidelines for the application of pesticides.

In addition to federal registration as required under FIFRA, all pesticide products distributed, sold, or transported in Maryland must be registered with the MDA's State Chemist Section . The Maryland Pesticide Registration and Labeling Law requires a distributor of a pesticide product to register every pesticide product each year with the State Chemist Section before that product can be sold or distributed in the state. The Maryland Pesticide Database is a searchable database of all registered pesticides.

In Maryland, pesticide storage areas must meet the following minimum requirements ( COMAR15.05.01 ):

• The storage area must be secured or locked to prevent unauthorized access. • Pesticides must be stored in a separate building or, at a minimum, must be separated by a physical barrier from living and working areas and from food, feed, fertilizer, seed, and safety equipment. • A warning sign approved by MDA must be placed on the exterior of the storage area. • Pesticides must be stored in a dry, ventilated area. • The pesticide storage area must be kept clean. • A supply of absorbent material sufficient enough to absorb a spill equivalent to the capacity of the largest container in storage must be kept in the storage area.

76