C8.4: Minimize Pesticide and Fertilizer Use – Above Green

(4-5 points)

INTENT

Reduce stress on plants, decrease negative effects on human health, and have the lowest possible negative ecological and environmental impacts by promoting practices based on observation and planning to minimize or eliminate synthetic pesticide and fertilizer use.

REQUIREMENTS

Ensure the section of the site maintenance plan (see O+M P8.1: Plan for sustainable site maintenance) is complete and provides non-toxic maintenance measures for ecologically sensitive areas (e.g., streams, drains, surface waters, wetlands, wells, groundwater, grassed waterways, existing buffers, areas sensitive to erosion, sensitive wildlife habitat) and human use areas (e.g., areas for children and pets, food production areas) that exist within or in proximity to the SITES project boundary.

Option 1: Plant health care plan 4 points

Include all of the following policies and practices and adapt them to the specific plants, pests, ecologically sensitive areas, and human use areas on site.

Pesticides and Fertilizers

Ban all “weed and feed” type fertilizers.
Set and enforce buffer zones where fertilizers and pesticides may not be applied.
- Buffer zones should be applied around areas such as:
  - Water bodies, wetlands, and other aquatic ecosystems
  - Drains, conveyance features, and areas where runoff can directly impact water quality (e.g., near curbs and on sidewalks and driveways)
  - Human use areas (e.g., playgrounds, seating areas, places of respite, food production areas)
- Minimum buffer zones should be set at 10 feet (3.05 meters) but may need to be larger depending on local regulations and conditions (e.g., slope, habitat)
Develop written safety requirements for proper storage, mixing, labeling, transporting, application, and disposal of fertilizers, pesticides, leftover mixtures, and containers. Refer to appropriate local, state, and federal regulations.
Outline procedures and list contacts for handling accidental spills of pesticides and fertilizers.
Require detailed record keeping for the application of any fertilizers or pesticides, including substance used, concentration, total volume applied, area treated, target species, weather, and environmental conditions.
Communicate policies to all facilities operators, maintenance contractors, and other relevant parties.

Pesticides

Establish action thresholds that define pest population levels and approved management strategies that may be used to reduce them. Physical and mechanical controls should be implemented first, then biotic controls; targeted chemical controls should be a last resort.
Require prior notification to all site users and to the public when chemical pesticides will be applied. Define how and when communication will be given (e.g., size, location, and number of posted signs; office memo).
Specify the use of third-party certified (e.g., EcoWise, Greenshield, or equivalent) integrated pest management (IPM) service providers, when pest control services are contracted out.

Fertilizers

Outline the need for the use of fertilizers.
Require soil or plant tissue testing in order to determine the type and amount of fertilizer needed.
Define thresholds and set levels for fertilizer concentrations and frequency of application according to testing results.
Define how much water should be applied after fertilizer applications. Explain the choices made by referring to regional climatic conditions, soil data (e.g., type, texture, composition) and fertilizer concentrations.
Specify the use of service providers that have current certifications in fertilizer best management practice (in cities or states where certification is offered) when fertilization services are contracted.

Option 2: Best management practices for plant health care (5 points)

Fulfill all requirements for Option 1 and incorporate four of the seven additional policy options listed below:

Pesticides and Fertilizers

1. Incorporate vegetative and grading components into the site design that help mitigate the spread or migration of pesticides and fertilizers in the landscape (e.g. buffer zones, vegetative filter strips, berms, swales).

Pesticides

2. Ban the use of all pesticides for cosmetic purposes.

3. Ban the use of all pre-emergent herbicides.

4. Create a list of herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides approved for use when physical, mechanical, and biotic control methods for pests have been ineffective. Specify chemicals that are the least toxic (i.e., biodegrade quickly and do not threaten human health, water quality, ground water, or aquatic species).

Fertilizers

5. Develop a list of organic or slow-release fertilizer products that are approved for use on the site.

6. Ban the application of all fertilizers during rainy seasons, before predicted heavy rainfall events, and during summer months.

7. Ban the use of all fertilizers after the establishment period, except for periodic applications of mature stable compost or other soil amendments as indicated by soil or plant tissue tests.

RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES

Use appropriate plant species.
During the planning and design stage, incorporate a variety of plant types in the landscape to avoid planting too many of one species. Low species diversity can create problems such as pest outbreaks.
If using plants susceptible to pest infestation, learn to identify pest life stages. Incorporate this information into the monitoring schedule.
Use practices that rely on observation and planning (e.g., IPM) to reduce synthetic inputs that may have short and long-term deleterious impacts on human health and the environment.
Comply with any local, state, and federal regulations or ordinances (e.g., groundwater protection zones) that govern applications of fertilizers and pesticides.