Environmental and Turf Services (ETS) is an interdisciplinary consulting firm specializing in the fields of turf, hazardous site, and agricultural investigations. Its President, Stuart Cohen, Ph.D., CGWP, was the Director of the EPA Cape Cod Golf Course Study, the GCSAA water quality study (1997/1999), and the USGA-sponsored evaluation of computer simulation models. The company has worked on projects from Massachusetts to Hawaii, and at least 20 other states between the two.
Most clients have been private developers, owners, and operators that include some of the nation's top 1% golfing facilities. ETS has also done work in this area for state and local governments.
Over the last 15-20 years, designing, building, and maintaining golf courses has been complicated by concerns over the impact that golf course maintenance may have on the environment. Some of the greatest concerns have focused on the potential for pesticides and fertilizers to migrate to ground water, surface water, and wetlands. However, most environmental consultants do not understand golf course management nor do they have experience working directly with golf course architects.
ETS is the only firm in the country that combines technical agronomy experience with sound science to promote environmentally responsible golf course management by using modern techniques of computer modeling, field studies, risk assessment, and pesticide chemistry.
ETS assists golf courses by conducting ground water and surface water quality risk assessments, providing water quality monitoring support, and by establishing golf course management plans that are based on integrated pest management (IPM).
Integrated Golf Course Management Plans (IGCMPs)
ETS will write an IGCMP that emphasizes responsible use of turfgrass pesticides and fertilizers and provides guidance for grow-in based on soil, tissue, and water quality analysis. The plan provides detailed guidance on Integrated Pest Management (IPM); irrigation demand; maintenance building design; pesticide storage handling and rinsate; hazard communication, etc. Native vegetation restoration can also be addressed.
Water Quality Risk Assessments ETS has extensive experience in conducting computer modeling of turf chemicals leaching to ground water, running off to surface water, and impacting wetlands and coral reefs. Our risk assessment expertise enables us to interpret the results for you in a responsible manner.
Mitigation/Recommendations ETS tries hard to find potential problems and proposes feasible, cost-effective mitigation solutions. This satisfies regulatory officials appeals to citizen activist opponents, and gives golf course developers and operators peace of mind.
The following figure illustrates some mitigation measures we have recommended as part of our proactive environmental stewardship approach.
Expert Witness Testimony ETS has the experience necessary to provide solid expert witness testimony. Staff have testified dozens of times before Congress, state and local agencies, in trials, and before zoning and planning commissions. In addition, staff are frequently invited to lecture at professional and trade meetings.
ETS has expertise in turf agronomy, environmental chemistry, risk assessment, hydrogeology, geology, environmental hydrology, ground water and surface water modeling, and aquatic and terrestrial species impacts.
ETS' President, Dr. Stuart Cohen, has many years of experience as an environmental professional. His experience dates back to 1976 and includes 11 years with the U.S. EPA. He has been working on golf course issues since 1983 and he is very active in professional associations. ETS also has six other professional and administrative support staff. The staff has degrees in hydrogeology, physical organic chemistry, geology, agricultural engineering, water resources, environmental biology, and turf agronomy.
ETS' work has been featured twice on CNN, once on public television, and in various trade publications.
Following are summaries or abstracts of papers we have written on the subject. Please contact us if you would like full copies of the publications.
Calibration And Validation Of Runoff And Leaching Models For Turf Pesticides, And Comparison With Monitoring Results
Ground Water And Surface Water Risk Assessments For Proposed Golf Courses
Agriculture And The Golf Course Industry: An Exploration Of Pesticide Use
Water Quality Impacts By Golf Courses
Conservative Ground Water And Surface Water Risk Assessments For Golf Courses In Vermont
Offsite Transport Of Pesticides In Water: Mathematical Models Of Pesticide Leaching And Runoff
The Cape Cod Study
Golf Courses
Firing Ranges
Agricultural Pesticides
Order Materials
Environmental Glossary
phone: 301-933-4700 fax: 301-933-4701 email: info@environmentalandturf.com