Millwood Golf Course Nominated for Environmental Excellence Award

The Lord Fairfax Soil and Water Conservation District (LFSWCD) today announced the nomination of the Millwood Country Club Golf Course for an environmental excellence award. Golf courses that keep the grass green and water clean by properly applying fertilizers are eligible for this recognition, which is given by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation Office of Urban Nutrient Management. The Millwood Country Club Golf Course in Clarke County has approximately 38 acres of fairways, tees, roughs, and woods that are managed under a certified nutrient management plan. Such plans, which have been useful on agricultural crops and farmland, are now being introduced for city and state parks, recreational areas, playing fields, golf courses, lawns and other urban areas. Nutrient management, including proper application of nitrogen according to soil test results and proper timing according to plant needs, can reduce the amount of nitrogen runoff that enters streams and rivers.

The responsible person for carrying out the nutrient and agrichemical spray program at Millwood is the Golf Course Superintendent Stephen Colvin. The Millwood Country Club manages their applications of fertilizers, pesticides, and other chemicals in a proper manner consistent with industry standards. The chief environmental features which are protected include Roseville Run stream and several rock outbreaks with sinkholes in areas of karst geology.

No direct applications of chemicals are allowed to contact the stream or the sinkholes. Where practical, a set back of at least 25 feet is set from any sensitive feature. Stream bank vegetation is maintained in a stable condition and mowing is restricted.

Only those materials approved by EPA for turf and golf courses are allowed. The nutrient management plan was voluntarily implemented by the Board of Directors of the Millwood Country Club and reflects the owner’s decision to responsibly conserve Virginia’s soil and water resources. The Country Club is protected from development by a conservation agreement through the Clarke County easement authority.

The Lord Fairfax Soil and Water Conservation District is a Virginia local governing agency charged with administration of State non-point source pollution cost share programs. District personnel identify water quality and soil erosion problems, provide conservation information, and supply technical and financial assistance to landowners to correct those problems. The District also promotes conservation of natural resources on a regional basis and provides erosion and sedimentation plan approval services to those localities that request assistance. The District recognizes the need for an informed public with regard to clean water and sound land use practices, and is committed to both adult and youth education programs that promote intelligent use of land and water resources.