§ 459-14. Exemptions.

A. 

Section 459-9 of this article shall not apply to land used in farm operations, as defined in New York Agriculture and Markets Law § 301.

B. 

Section 459-9A of this article shall not apply to:

(1) 

Golf courses; provided, however, that only the minimum amount of slow-release and organic fertilizer shall be used that is needed to sustain healthy turf on golf courses, and that fertilizer application rates shall be limited to three pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per year, over the golf course as a whole, consistent with the organic maintenance plan adopted via Suffolk County Resolution No. 608-1998.

(2) 

The Suffolk County Farm; provided, however, that the Suffolk County Farm shall be subject to a goal of nitrogen reduction. The Suffolk County Departments of Planning and Health Services, in consultation with the Department, shall establish strategies to achieve this goal. Recommendations made in the following document shall be considered in developing the strategies: A Strategy to Develop and Implement the Suffolk County Agricultural Stewardship Program — A Report to the Agricultural Environmental Management Task Force for Nitrogen and Pesticides Load Reduction — Final Report (May 26, 2004).

(3) 

Athletic fields; provided, however, that the County department with jurisdiction over the fields shall develop and comply with an annual plan containing best management practices to reduce use of fertilizer and avoid fertilizer leachate. The plan shall be submitted to the Department for review and approval.

(4) 

Newly seeded or planted landscapes and newly seeded or newly sodded areas.

C. 

Any reporting requirement which is promulgated by Suffolk County pursuant to § 459-10B shall not apply to an establishment selling less than 1,000 pounds of fertilizer in total during the preceding calendar year.