Clients: Ames Lake Golf Club, Chevy Chase Golf Course, Soos Creek Golf Course, Trophy Lake Golf Course

 

The firm participated as a member of the Technical Advisory Committee to the King County Environmental Division Best Management Practices for Golf Course Development and Operation in January 1993 (Golf Course BMP Manual).

 

In order to provide King County planners with guidelines for review and permit approval of golf course developments, the County asked for proposals to prepare a methodology for consideration. The firm submitted a proposal and was later selected to be a member of the Technical Advisory Committee concerning the guidelines, methodology, approach and practical application of a Golf Course Best Management Practices Manual.

 

The technical review process continued for six months and included various draft reviews. The subject matter covered land use planning, wildlife, hydrology, turf maintenance and environmental protection. R. W. Thorpe & Associates prepared the first Best Management Practices for Golf Course Development Manual (BMP) submitted to King County's Environmental Division that responds to the criteria listed in the County's guidelines.

 

The Soos Creek Golf and Country Club Best Management Practices Manual was submitted to King County's Environmental Division to meet the requirement for issuance of a grading permit to begin golf course construction.

 

The Manual's table of contents includes:

• Goals and Purpose
• Design, Layout, & Construction
• BMP Management Strategies
• Maintenance Practices & IPM
• Pesticide Risk Assessment
• Maintenance Facilities
• Spill response Plan
• Mounting

 

A similar BMP was proposed for Chevy Chase Golf Course in Port Townsend, Washington. This historic course has been in operation since 1925 and requested permits to expand to a full 18-hole course. The Best Management Practices manual addresses the selection and application of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides in a way that limits unwarranted impacts on the existing environmental systems.

 

The firm has gone on to create BMP's for other regional golf courses each with its own unique set of circumstances.

 

 

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