Golf Course ECC Guidelines by DENR Committee

Issuing resolution details and effectivity

(DENR) Golf Course Construction and Development Committee Resolution No. 01-97 is dated November 05, 2002.
The rules take effect immediately after publication in at least one (1) newspaper of general circulation.
The rules govern future applications for ECC favorable recommendation relating to golf courses.
The rules do not govern projects currently pending with the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) unless the proponent voluntarily invokes the rules.

Standards for environmentally friendly golf development

Section 1 establishes standards for an environmentally and socially friendly golf course development project.
These standards apply to the project’s siting/location, resource use and protection, design, construction, and operation and maintenance.

Siting and location limits

The golf course must not be located within environmentally critical or sensitive areas, such as proclaimed National Integrated Protected Areas, wetlands, and/or other areas where development is prescribed by a Presidential Proclamation.
The golf course must not be located in prime agricultural land, including rice production areas, and it must not conflict with or contribute to the loss or reduction of the locality’s food production; agricultural crop production should be allowed if possible.
The golf course must not be located in areas covered by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law unless the land has been legally converted for golf purposes.
The golf course must not be located in areas with a water shortage problem.
The golf course must not be located in areas where existing land use is incompatible with golf course construction and development; it must respect adjacent land use through the grant of easement of right-of-way in appropriate locations during planning and throughout construction and operation.
If possible, the golf course should preferably be situated in presently degraded areas, such as landfill sites and mined areas.
The project must not result in large-scale terrain modification.

Resource use, ecosystem protection

The project must use minimal clearing of vegetation and apply a 40:60 ratio for forest/vegetation/wetlands to the golf course.
The project must promote biodiversity by providing natural habitat enhancement, restoration, rehabilitation, and refuge for affected or displaced wildlife, and by creating diverse environments such as grasslands, wetlands, mini-forests, and rice paddies.
The project must be compatible with other resource systems to ensure there are no negative impacts on nearby and related ecosystems.
The project must not unduly compete for, deplete, or pollute water resources because it uses an integrated water recycling system or because its design of irrigation, drainage and retention provides efficient water use and water quality protection.
The project must ensure minimal modification of creeks and waterways; any terrain modification must result in slope stabilization.

Design, community acceptance, and facilities

The project must ensure social acceptability by closely working with the community from planning through the entire development process and by providing opportunities for public participation during operation.
Owners, developers, and management must protect the environment and ensure equitable sharing of benefits with the host community.
Facilities and activities must foster Filipino pride, appreciation of Filipino culture, and respect for Filipino values.
The project must be developed and managed in conformity with the uniqueness of the natural ecosystem so that the landscape and facilities blend harmoniously with the setting and scenery.
Protective measures must include buffer zones to protect high quality surface water resources or environmentally critical or sensitive areas.

Construction and turf development controls

Strategies must be developed and implemented to control sediment, minimize loss of topsoil, protect water resources, reduce disruption to wildlife, and implement development of plant species for designated environmental resource areas.
Construction and turf development must be scheduled to allow efficient work progress while optimizing environmental conservation and resource management.
Immediate revegetation of opened areas during the construction phase must be a priority.

Operation, maintenance, and waste/water rules

The project’s operation must implement environmentally responsible practices in waste management, water usage, fertilizers/chemical usage, plant protection, wildlife management, and broader facility operations.

Waste management requirements

Zero-waste management must be observed for all facilities.
Grass cuttings and other organic materials must be composted for agronomic use.
Disposal of chemical rinsate must not increase the potential for point or non-point source pollution.
The project must develop or adopt a system for proper disposal of other waste products, such as used motor oil and unused solvents.

Water usage and effluent irrigation

Irrigation patterns must be planned to meet plant materials’ needs to avoid over watering.
The project must adopt effective management of water use to prevent unnecessary depletion of local water resources.
Adoption of environmentally acceptable effluent irrigation systems is highly preferable.
Locally available environment-friendly raw materials, products, and processes must be preferred whenever possible.

Fertilizers and chemical handling

The project must use nutrient products and practices that reduce the potential for contamination of ground and surface water, such as slow-release fertilizers and organic products.
Proper warning must be made to inform golfers and guests about chemical applications.

Plant protection and drought-adapted materials

The project must adopt integrated plant management principles, relying on common-sense practices to prevent and control pests such as weeds, diseases, and insects.
Plant materials in greens, tees, and fairways must be drought-resistant and well-adapted to local environmental conditions to ensure efficient management and desired playing characteristics.

Wildlife management and habitat

Wildlife and aquatic habitat that help control pests must be protected.
Additional habitat for beneficial species must be created whenever feasible and environmentally desirable.

Facility operations and public/community programs

The project must regularly monitor environmental impacts and implement a quick response system to deter negative impacts and enhance positive ones.
Golfers, management staff, and the public must be constantly educated on environmental responsibility principles and understanding of environmentally and socially sound golf course operation.
The project must document environmentally sound golf course management for replication by other golf courses.
The project must adopt policies concerning privilege access to and enjoyment of facilities by domestic and international tourists to attain tourism industry objectives/goals.
The project must provide community development and training programs for displaced workers and communities.
Environmentally responsible practices for maintenance must extend to all areas of the overall facility grounds.
Facilities must conserve natural resources, including water and energy, through practices and technologies.
Facilities must develop and initiate comprehensive programs for recycling, reuse, and waste reduction.

ECC favorable recommendation: procedural flow

Section 2 prescribes steps that must be completed before the Committee can favorably recommend ECC issuance to the DENR Secretary, as required by Executive Order No. 342.
Initial Golf Course Construction and Development Project Description (IPD) must be submitted first by the proponent to the Committee Secretariat.
The Committee reviews and evaluates the IPD, including through a Technical Working Group (TWG).
After evaluation by the TWG and as a result of the required determinations, the Committee Chairman issues a Notice to Conduct EIS.
The EIA Process follows, and then the Committee issues a Final Recommendation, forwarded as a Committee resolution to the DENR Secretary.

IPD submission contents and certifications

Section 3 requires that before conducting a full-blown Environmental Impact Study (EIA), the proponent must submit nine (9) copies of an Initial Golf Course Construction and Development Project Description to the Committee.
The IPD must include, at minimum, a brief description of the environment setting and receiving environment, including the primary and secondary impact areas.
The IPD must include a brief description of the project or undertaking and a brief description of its environmental impacts, including socio-economic impact.
The IPD must include a brief discussion of the relationship among population, development, and the environment.
The IPD must include the proponent’s corporate profile, the registered owners of the land, and the instrument by which the use is transferred to the corporation when the registered owner has a distinct juridical personality from the proponent.
The IPD must include certifications from relevant agencies, including certifications that the land is not within NIPAS, environmentally critical areas, or other development-proscribed areas under a Presidential Proclamation; that the land is not prime agricultural land; that the land is not covered by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law or has been legally converted for golf purposes; that the project complies with the Tourism Master Plan; that there is adequate water supply from the National Water Resource Board; and that locational clearance is secured from the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board or from the city/municipality with its own zoning administrators and approved town plan and zoning ordinance.
The IPD must include a certification from the Regional Development Council or the NEDA Regional Director when required by the Committee that the proposed golf course is consistent with regional development plan goals and priorities and allocation in the regional physical framework plan.
The IPD must include a written commitment under oath by the proponent to adhere to the policies enumerated in Section 1.

IPD completeness review and evaluation timetable

Section 4 directs the Committee Secretariat, upon receipt of the IPD, to determine the completeness of documents submitted.
If documents are incomplete or need revision, the Committee must immediately return them to the proponent for completion or revision.
The Committee must evaluate the IPD within 15 days from the date of submission.
The evaluation must determine whether the project is located within allowable area or whether there are major environmental, social, or political concerns requiring immediate denial of the application.
Any question or objection by a Committee member must be discussed with the proponent.

Notice to Conduct EIS and TWG criteria

Section 5 provides that the Notice to Conduct EIS is issued by the Committee Chairman after the TWG indicates that the required location must criteria have been met and after it appears that environmental, social, and political concerns can be addressed by the project.
The EIS submission must be directed to the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) to initiate the Environmental Impact Assessment process.

EIS review limits and Committee role

Section 6 provides that, consistent with the mandate in Section 3(b) of Executive Order No. 324, the Committee through the TWG assists in reviewing the EIS to ascertain that the standards for golf course design and construction have been met.
EIS review must be limited to technical matters and must not deal with issues previously addressed by the Committee, particularly on siting/location.

Final recommendation voting and endorsement rules

Section 7 requires that the final recommendation for ECC issuance be based on the concurrence of all members of the Committee and be forwarded to the DENR Secretary in the form of a Committee Resolution.
If any member objects, a favorable endorsement with reservation may still be issued upon a majority vote of all Committee members.
Any objection must be indicated in the endorsement.

Publication, adoption, and transitory application

These rules must be effective immediately after publication in at least one (1) newspaper of general circulation, and they govern future applications.
These rules do not apply to projects currently pending with the EMB unless the proponent voluntarily invokes the rules.
The resolution is adopted on 22 Aug. 1997.