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_h .,,,~ V ~i .~ a ~I 3. Minimize site disturbance In general, soil should have 100% plant or mulch cover, since exposed soil surfaces are highly susceptible to runoff and erosion, especially along slopes and waterways. Often, natural hydrological features are destroyed by grading and with the exception of a few large trees, native vegetation is typically removed from a site before building or landscaping. Doing so exposes the soil to erosion, and the resulting loss of topsoil depletes the soil of its organic, living component and clogs waterways. It turns nature on its head by turning a valuable resource into a pollutant. ^ Design and implement a plan to defend against erosion, as described in Nurture the Soil. ^ Retain natural topographic features that slow and store storm flows and/or do not increase steep continuous slopes. ^ Limit overall cut and fll through effcient road design and lot layout. ^ Limit clearing to road, utility building pad, landscape areas and the minimum area needed to maneuver. ^ Use mulch regularly. Place it in a way that keeps it out of stormwater. Vegetation, topography and hydrology is undisturbed and erosion is prevented. Sediment does not clog waterways. 4. Choose and maintain your materials, equipment & vehicles carefully Lawn mowers, chain saws and leaf blowers emit signifcant amounts of pollutants. According to the US EPA, a gas-powered lawn mower emits I I times the air pollution of a new car, per hour of use. In addition, operators are typically positioned where exposure to toxic emissions is greatest. ^ Upgrade to low emission equipment. ^ Inspect and maintain all equipment to keep it performing optimally. Repair oil leaks immediately. ^ Don't repair equipment on site. ^ Dispose of spent oil properly ^ Refuel carefully. Do not refuel near a creek or drainage area. ^ Consider your routes and always carpool to sites. ^ Specify low or zeroVOC paints, sealants, solvents and adhesives. ^ Use sustainably harvested wood (FSC Certifed) if plastic or composite lumber is not appropriate. Use treated wood that does not contain chromium or arsenic for any application that specifes treated lumber. Fuel consumption is minimized. Air, water and noise pollution can often be reduced. Worker and community health will be protected. 5. Keep soil & organic matter where it belongs Organic matter, added to the landscape in the form of mulch or compost, supports soil microbial life, which flter out pollutants. But it can become a pollutant when it enters the stormdrain. Amend soil with compost as described in the section Nurture the Soil. But be sure to keep organic matter from being washed or blown into the gutter or stormdrain where it could become a pollutant by: ^ Using compost filter socks around stockpiled organic matter. ^ Storing it away from creeks and stormdrains. ^ Sweeping every day during construction. ^ Minimizing the use of blowers and using them carefully so you are not removing topsoil. ^ Switching to gravel or cobblestone mulch in areas of high surface water flow. ^ Keeping fallen leaves, grassclippings, and other plant materials away from storm drains, creek banks, and the shoreline. Organic matter does not become a pollutant but rather, increases the soil's ability to remove pollutants, thereby protecting our watershed. It also increases the soil's pool of sequestered carbon dioxide. ^ Over 2/3 of plant problems are not caused by any living pathogen. More often than not, the problem is from improper soil conditions, watering or fertilizing practices and other cultural problems. ^ If a pathogen or other pest is present, it must be treated at the correct point in its life cycle. Pest organisms do not grow on a regular calendar basis. It is likely the timing of spraying based on the calendar would be too early or too late to be effective. ^ Timed sprays endanger the beneficial organisms. Healthy landscapes with a diversity of birds, insects, microbes and other organisms can often keep pest populations under threshold levels, making chemical treatment unnecessary. ADAPTED FROM: PRO/PM FACT SHEET, GREEN GARDENING PROGRAM, SEAT TLE, WA. 46