P8.1: Plan for Sustainable Site Maintenance – Above Green

(Required)

INTENT

Ensure long-term site sustainability by developing a site maintenance plan outlining the project’s strategies and required implementation tasks.

REQUIREMENTS

With the integrated design team (see Pre-Design P2.1: Use an integrative design process), prepare a site maintenance plan according to the outline below.
Explain the short-term tasks and the long-term strategic plan (i.e., 10-year desired outcome) to achieve sustainable maintenance goals.
Ensure the maintenance contractor or site manager commits to educating maintenance personnel on the goals and implementation of the site maintenance plan.

Note: For additional information and resources regarding the following maintenance topics, see the associated prerequisites and credits listed in the right-hand column of the outline.

Topic	Description	Prerequisite or Credit #
1. Water	Stormwater features and BMPs effectivenessProper maintenance activities (including anticipated maintenance schedule) used to ensure continued effectiveness of stormwater features and BMPs (e.g., replacement of vegetation, removal of accumulated sediment load)	P3.1, C3.3, C3.5
	Water treatment Process used for treating any water features (e.g., avoid chlorine, bromine)	C3.3, C3.4, C3.5
	Water qualityAppropriate maintenance activities designed to reduce:Exposure to pollutants Mobilization and transport of pollutants in runoff	C3.3, C3.4, C3.5, C3.6
	Irrigation allotment and scheduleAnticipated watering schedule (frequency and duration) that allows the site to meet annual volume requirements and restrictions	P3.2, C3.4
	Irrigation water sourceProcess used for maintaining non-potable irrigation water sources (e.g., rainwater harvesting, graywater systems)	P3.2, C3.4
	Temporary irrigationProcess used for disconnecting or removing any temporary irrigation systems after the plant establishment period	C3.4

Topic	Description	Prerequisite or Credit #
2. Soil stewardship	Soil amendmentsProcess used for identifying soil deficiencies, including conducting soils tests prior to adding amendments Specify use of least harmful amendments (such as compost) when necessary.	P4.1, C6.7, P7.3, C7.4, C8.4
	Use of fertilizers Process used for applying fertilizers (only if needed) to ensure that application is effective and prevents harm to environmental and human health	P4.1, P4.3, C6.7, C8.4
	Erosion and compactionProcess used for alleviating soil erosion or compaction (due to site use or maintenance) that is detrimental to plant health	P4.1, P7.3, C7.4
3. A. Vegetation (Plant stewardship)	Plant health care (PHC)Process used for maintaining vegetation according to long-term plans for the site, including food producing gardens Recognized standards of professional horticultural practices used Process used for monitoring plant health to prevent problems List of potential appropriate, noninvasive plants to be used for plant replacementWhen replacing plants, consider maintenance needs and design consistency.	C3.5, C3.6, P4.3, C4.4, C4.5, C4.6, C4.7, C4.8, C4.9, C4.10, C4.11, C6.7, C8.3, C8.4
	Healthy plant material managementProcess used for managing excess organic plant material generated on site (e.g., composting, recycling) Plan and schedule for harvest of food producing gardens	C6.7, C8.3, C8.4
	Diseased and invasive plant material disposalProcess used for disposing of organic plant materials generated on site that are not suitable for composting or recycling (i.e., dead diseased, invasive, or pest-infested vegetation) in a manner that does not increase the likelihood of spread.	P4.2, C7.6, C8.3
	Site SafetyProcess used for maintaining vegetation to ensure site safety and that meets the intended uses of the site Prevention of wildfire Process used for managing vegetative biomass to reduce risk of catastrophic wildfireIf prescribed fires are to be used, describe burn plan that is similar in technique, frequencies, and intensities to natural fire regimes in the ecosystem.	C4.11, C8.3, C8.4
	Pest managementIntegrated pest management (IPM) techniques used to control pests, diseases, and any unwanted species of plants and animals on site	P4.2, C6.7, C8.4

Topic	Description	Prerequisite or Credit #
3. B. Vegetation (Invasive species management)	Invasive species listList of invasive plant species identified in the area according to:Regional lists (when listing occurs through a vetted, transparent process and has been accepted by the regional stakeholders) State Noxious Weed laws Federal Noxious Weed laws	P4.2
3. B. Vegetation (Invasive species management)	Invasive management planActive multi-year plan for control and subsequent management of any plant species included above, including:IPM strategies Procedure for identifying and monitoring for additional invasive species that may colonize the site Procedure for adding new species as they are recognized by local authorities Initial treatment, follow-up treatments, and long-term control including monitoring Methods to dispose of invasive plant materials	P4.2, C8.4
4. Materials management	Materials replacementList of preferred characteristics for replacement materials (e.g., materials from local and regional sources, recycled content materials, certified wood, energy-efficient lighting)	P5.1, C5.4, C5.5, C5.6, C5.7, C5.8, C5.9, C5.10, C6.8, C8.5
	Functionality and extended useProcess used for repairing and maintaining structures and paving in a way that reduces harm to environmental and human health and ensures the effectiveness of the material (e.g., clean permeable surfaces, low-emitting sealants) Process used for maintaining structures and paving to ensure site safety and that meets the needs of the intended uses of the site	C4.9, C5.2, C5.3, C5.4, C5.8
	Site safetyProcess used for repairing and maintaining structures and paving that reduces harm to environmental and human health and ensures the effectiveness of the material (e.g., clean permeable surfaces, low-emitting sealants) Process used for maintaining structures and paving to ensure site safety and that meets the needs of the intended uses of the site Process used for properly disposing of harmful materials	C5.2, C6.2, P8.2, C8.3, C8.4
	Historic buildings, structures, objects, and cultural landscapesProcess for maintaining the integrity of historic buildings, structures, and cultural landscapes, including:Detailed specifications related to the repair or replacement of features and any maintenance work to be documented for records Process for determining how conflicts between historic and environmental concerns will be addressed	C4.5, C5.2, C6.1

Topic	Description	Prerequisite or Credit #
4. Materials management (continued)	Recyclable materialsProcess used for managing and recycling all paper, glass, plastics, and metals generated on site	P8.2
4. Materials management (continued)	On-site food waste Process used for on-site collection of compostable organics to prevent them from entering the municipal solid-waste stream	C6.7, C8.3
5. Sensitive site features	Conserve aquatic ecosystemsMaintenance and monitoring techniques that will ensure proper aquatic ecosystem function	P1.2, P1.3, C3.5, C3.6
	Conserve habitats for threatened and endangered speciesProcess used for avoiding impacts during site maintenance to threatened or endangered species and their habitats	P1.4, C4.7
	Maintain Vegetation and Soil Protection Zones (VSPZs)Ongoing management activities to protect the integrity of VSPZs	P1.1, P1.2, P1.3, P1.4, P2.3, P4.1, C4.4, C4.5, C4.6, C4.7
6. Landscape maintenance equipment	Equipment maintenanceTypes of equipment (i.e., manual, electric, low-emitting, or gasoline powered) to be used on site Process used for maintaining equipment Process used for cleaning equipment to remove invasive species to prevent transport to other sites	P4.2, C8.7
6. Landscape maintenance equipment	Site user experienceMaintenance schedule that minimizes users’ exposure to noise, localized air pollution, and other disturbances	C6.4, C8.4, C8.7
7. Snow and ice	Managing snow and iceProcess (including stockpiling) used for managing snow and ice in ways that limit degradation of water quality and surrounding plants and soil health Process used for stockpiling areas and managing any snow-melt that will be used as a water source on site	P1.2, P1.3, P1.4, P3.1, C3.3, C3.5, C3.6, C6.2
8. Adaptive Management	Update site maintenance planProcess used for reevaluating the maintenance plan on an annual basis and revising as needed to adapt to future conditions and unforeseen changes
9. Other Maintenance-Related Topics