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Phosphorus (P) risk assessment tools are being developed for New York to address the environmental concerns of P loss to surface waters from the application and accumulation of P nutrients. A qualitative risk-based assessment tool has been developed to assist nutrient management planners and farmers in identifying land areas that may be most vulnerable to P losses. A relatively rapid assessment of a few soil, transport, and nutrient application management factors are used to prioritize field sites into one-of-four relative risk categories. No additional application of manure or inorganic sources of P are recommended on the sites identified as very high risk. The factors evaluated in the qualitative risk assessment tool are discussed in detail, along with discussion regarding the utility of this methodology. A quantitative-based model assessment tool is also currently under development. The quantitative modeling tool should help estimate P loadings from a site based on several spatial soil and transport characteristics. Nutrient management decisions incorporated into this tool may then be more effectively evaluated. The GIS-based quantitative assessment tool should further improve the identification of critical areas of P loss.