C8.7: Protect Air Quality During Landscape Maintenance – Above Green

(2-4 points)

INTENT

Protect air quality and reduce pollution by minimizing the use of powered landscape maintenance equipment that exposes site users to localized air pollutants and generates greenhouse gasses.

REQUIREMENTS

These requirements apply to all powered equipment used for landscape maintenance on site. Sites that require no powered maintenance equipment are eligible for this credit.

Option 1: Scheduled maintenance (2 points)

Plan for the use of powered maintenance equipment only during hours when the site is closed for use or during periods when the lowest percentage of site users are potentially exposed to landscape maintenance emissions
For sites with constant use (e.g., college and university settings), designate times for powered maintenance equipment use to occur when the number of site users is typically at its lowest.
Ensure the section of the site maintenance plan (see O+M P8.1: Plan for sustainable site maintenance) is complete. It must describe how the use of powered maintenance equipment will be limited to hours when the site is closed for use or during periods when the lowest percentage of site users are present.

Option 2: Low-emitting equipment (3 points)

Specify a 50 percent reduction in hydrocarbon (HC) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions and a 75 percent reduction in carbon monoxide (CO) emissions from baseline conditions.
Ensure the section of the site maintenance plan (see O+M P8.1: Plan for sustainable site maintenance) is complete and specifies equipment allowed for use on site.

Option 3: Manual or electric powered maintenance equipment (4 points)

Use only manual and/or electric-powered maintenance equipment.
Ensure the section of the site maintenance plan (see O+M P8.1: Plan for sustainable site maintenance) is complete and specifies equipment allowed for use on site.

RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES

Design the site to minimize requirements for gasoline-powered maintenance equipment.
Select plants that require minimal maintenance or can be maintained with hand tools.
Select equipment that minimizes emissions of air pollutants and meets or exceeds U.S. EPA standards (or local equivalent for projects outside the United States). Focus on reducing the use of 2-stroke engine equipment (e.g., line trimmers, blowers).
Convert turf areas to ground cover or shrubs in areas that adjoin walks and curbs. Large lawn areas can be converted to meadows or naturalized into restored habitats.