2012-09-17_Beecher Maintenance Manual_double Sided

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BEECHER ROAD SCHOOL - BIOFILTRATION SWALE MAINTENANCE MANUAL

BEECHER ROAD SCHOO

BIOFILTRATION SWALEMAINTENANCE MANUAL

Prepared by:

Fuss & ONeill, Inc.

September 2012


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Table of Contents

What are Bioltration SwalesWhy Bioltration Matters

Maintenance ScheduleFilter Medial TasksVegetation Tasks

Drainage Structure Tasks

Maintenance Program OverviewGoals & Objectives

Maintenance Responsibilities

Safety Guidelines

Tools and Equipment

Integrated Pest ManagementGeneral IPM Steps & Methods

References

AppendicesAppendix AInvasive Plants in Your Backyard!

A Guide to Their Identication & Control

Appendix BGuidelines for Disposal of Terrestrial Invasive Plants

Appendix CIntegrated Pest Management Fact Sheet

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Bioltration Swales are landscaped spaces that trans-form land surfaces into living storm water manage-ment facilities. They are a type of Low Impact Designstrategy aimed to control water (rainfall and runoff)at the source. Rather than allowing rainwater to runover the land and collect pollutants that enter storm

drains and eventually local streams and wetlands,these methods reduce erosion and ooding, cleanrunoff and allow the water to replenish groundwater.

Bioltration swales capture stormwater runoff andlet water soak into the ground as plants and soil lter

pollutants. Bioltration swales convert storm waterfrom a waste directed into a pipe, to a resourcethat replenishes groundwater supplies and protects

watershed health. They also provide natural habitat

and enhance the aesthetic of a site.

A watershed is an area of land that drains intoa specic body of water. Our activities within a

watershed have a direct impact on rivers and streams.

In creating our communities weve covered once-vegetated surfaces with streets, roofs, driveways

and parking lots. In the process, weve changedthe relationship between watersheds, rivers and

streams, often polluting them, increasing erosion anddecreasing groundwater recharge. Bioltration swalesrecognize the relationship between the natural andbuilt environments and are an innovative and effective

way to restore and protect watershed health.

What are Bioltration Swales?

Why Bioltration Matters

Benets of Bioltratonat Beecher Road School

Educational Opportunities

Enhance and Restore Native

Habitat

Reduce and Prevent Erosion

Recharge Groundwater

Supplies

Fiscally & Sustainably-

Responsible Decision Making

Improve Water Quality ofLocal Streams/Wetlands

Reduce Maintenance

Requirements

More Attractive Campus

Improve Functionality of

Campus Grounds

Increase Longevity of

Campus Infrastructure

Allow Creativity and Input

from Staff

Beecher Campus Drainage Areas

Image Credit: Green Cascades, LLC

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This is your how-to guide that describes the simple activities you can do to care forand maintain the bioltration swales and campus grounds at Beecher Road School.

Seeing these techniques in action provides excellent educational opportunities forchildren and allows educators to effectively train our future stewards of the land!

This program recommends partnering with school staff or consultants familiar

with the maintenance plan requirements for support, monitoring and feedback.Continuing education of maintenance staff, adherence to a maintenanceschedule and identication of individuals responsible for inspections and supportare recommended for the programs success.

Beecher Road School is committed to green development practices andsustainable stormwater management. Beecher welcomes your help in maintaining

its bioltration swales and campus grounds.

Becoming a bioltration swale steward is a rewarding way to care for your school

and community and keep Woodbridges water resources clean.

Maintenance Program Overview

4

Maintain intended inltration capacity and safely convey stormwater

Flow Control & Drainage

Preserve soil & plant health to promote cleansing of stormwater that enters system

Water Quality Treatment

Maintain facilities for long-term, high quality performance at a cost equal to, or less than,

conventional systems

Prevent expensive repair or large scale problems through continued routine procedures

Cost Effectiveness

Develop swales to become both a landscape amenity as well as a stormwater facility

Aesthetics

Minimize potential for mosquito breeding by maintaining designed inltration capacity andponding depths

Public Health

Provide educational materials to faculty, staff and students explaining the benets, function and

importance of maintenance for the long-term performance of the facilities

Education

Maintain adequate site distances for emergency vehicle access

Safety & Emergency Vehicle Access

Goals & Objectives


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Bioltration swales, rain gardens and other components of low-impact vegetatedstormwater management systems require programmed monitoring and maintenance

to ensure performance and benets continue over the full life cycle of the installation.An annual and storm-event driven maintenance program is recommended.

Bioltration swale care is divided into two phases; a two-year establishment phaseand a long-term stewardship phase. Young plants have tender roots and can besusceptible to damage without regular care. Because of this, new bioltration swaleswill require more intense maintenance until plants develop well-established rootsystems, but less maintenance in the long term.

Following is a Maintenance Schedule describing suggested maintenance activities

and their frequency. The tasks have been divided into three categories including thosewhich pertain to: 1) Filter Media, 2) Vegetation and 3) Drainage Infrastructure.

Maintenance Schedule

Maintenance Tasks

Bioltration Swale Section

1

2

1

3

Filter Mediatasks pertaining to surface materials

including mulch and growing medium

Impervious Surface

Vegetation

Curb Cut / Inlet

River Jack EnergyDissipater

Outfall Drain

Growing Medium

Gravel Trench

Existing Soil

Vegetationtasks pertaining to plant establishment

& health

Drainage Infrastructuretasks pertaining to hardscape anddrainage pipes and outfalls

Image Credit: City of Portland, Oregon & Fuss & ONeill, Inc.

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Mulching

Replace or add mulch withhand tools to a depth of

2-3 inches

Litter RemovalCheck for and remove litter

both in and around swale

areas

Erosion ControlInspect soil and repair

eroded areas

Sediment/DebrisRemovalShovel or rake out sediment

build-up within vegetated

areas

Soil AerationScarify the the soil surface

between plants

Replenish organic material in

soil, reduce erosion, prolonggood soil moisture levels and

lter pollutants.

Prevent clogging of infra-

structure and maintainaesthetics.

Reduce sediment transportand clogging of infrastruc-

ture. Maintain desired plant

survival and appearance of

facilities.

Reduce sediment transport

and clogging of infrastructure.Maintain desired plant survival

and appearance of facilities.Maintain proper elevations

and ponding depths.

Restore soil structure, maintain

percolation rates and pro-

mote plant growth.

Every two years

or as needed tocover void areas

As needed based

on inspection

Monthly for rstyear; afterwards

inspect after all

large storm events

Annually in spring;

as needed basedon inspection

Annually

Use compost in the bottom of

the facility and wood chips onside slopes and elevations above

outfall drain.

Use caution when collecting

litter near roadways and parkinglots. Wear bright colors and only

work during daylight under adult

supervision.

Erosion should not be an issueexcept in extreme rainfall events.

If erosion problems persist, con-

sider re-grading or re-contouring

side slopes or applying energydissipaters at problem locations.

If sediment is deposited in the

bioretention area, immediatelydetermine the source within the

contributing area and stabilize.Replant exposed areas.

Signs of poorly aerated soils

include water that remains pon-

ded in the swale for more than afew hours after a rain event.

Filter Media Tasks

ACTIVITY OBJECTIVE FREQUENCY NOTES

What are sediment and debris?

Sediment picked up by stormwater settles out as a ne, sand-like substance. Debrisincludes grass clippings, leaves, sticks and small branches. Both sediment and debriscan clog openings and reduce bioltration swale function. Bioltration swales should beinspected for sediment/debris accumulation especially after heavy rains.

Image Credits: Green Street Care and Maintenance Guide - City of Portland, Oregon


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Watering

Hand water plants

WeedingRemove undesirable and

invasive vegetation by

hand

Plant HealthAssessmentAssess plants for disease,

pest infection or stuntedgrowth and treat or re-

move

Prune VegetationPrune trees and shrubs andcut back perennials and

ornamental grasses

Inll PlantingReplace any dead or dying

plants in kind

Establish vegetation to

desired survival rates andimprove plant health.

Reduce competition for de-sired vegetation and prevent

establishment or spread of

invasives. Improve aesthetics.

Maintain plant health and

dense vegetation cover toprevent erosion, encourage

inltration and exclude un-wanted weed species.

Maintain adequate plant

coverage and health. Main-tain sight lines and clearance

from utilities. Support succu-

lent new growth.

Maintain intended plant den-

sities for appropriate pollutant

mitigation and inltration.

As necessary

throughout 2-yearplant establish-

ment phase; after-wards water only

during periods ofextreme drought

Monthly duringgrowing season

throughout 2-year

plant establish-ment phase; af-

terwards annually

As needed based

on inspection

Once annu-

ally in late fallor early spring

after leaves fall

and before new

growth begins.

As needed based

on inspection

Plants have been selected for

drought tolerance. They shouldnot require watering beyond

the 2-year establishment phaseexcept in periods of extreme

drought or as indicated by planthealth.

Periodic weeding is necessarythroughout the plant estab-

lishment phase to ensure the

desired vegetation takes over.The frequency will decrease

as desired plant densities areachieved.

Approach treatment according

to Integrated Pest Managementpractices (see page 12 for more

information). If specic plantshave a high mortality rate, assess

the cause and consider replacing

with another appropriate species.

The time of year to cut back

perennials/grasses depends onaesthetic preference regarding

winter look.

Consult with landscape profes-

sional to match inll species /

cultivar in kind.

Vegetation Tasks


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Although bioltration swale plants can tolerateour dry summer climate, they can benet from

additional watering during extended periods ofsummer drought or extreme heat. Beecher Road

School welcomes your help with watering duringthese times. Please use a gentle, low pressureshower setting to avoid erosion, and dont waterat a faster rate than the ground can soak it up.

A word on watering...

Image Credit: Green Street Care and Maintenance Guide - City of Portland, Oregon


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Energy DissipaterRepairRestore or replace riverjacks as necessary

Clean & Inspect

Outfall DrainsClean sediment and debris

from drainage structuresand inspect for structural

integrity.

Clean Curb Cuts/InletsRemove any accumula-tion of debris along curbs

and inlets to swale

Maintain proper drainageand aesthetics and prevent

erosion.

Reduce sediment transport

and clogging of infrastruc-

ture. Prevent ooding.

Maintain proper ow of storm-

water from paved/imperviousareas into bioltration swale

As needed basedon inspection

Annually in late

fall; as needed

based on inspec-

tion

Twice Annually

River jacks come in a variety ofsizes. When replacing, match

the size to those within the biol-

tration swale.

If sediment is deposited in the

bioretention area, immediately

determine the source within the

contributing area and stabilize.Inspect for dislodged or dam-aged grates and structural

integrity.

Clear curb openings so water can

ow into the facility. Rake andremove leaves, trash and debris.

Drainage Infrastructure Tasks


You can remove weeds by hand or with a smallhand held trowel, weed fork, or garden hoe. In

order to eliminate weeds, it is important to tryand remove their root systems. After removinga weed, gently pat down the soil to prevent airpockets that expose the roots of establishedplants. If you are unsure whether a plant is aweed or invasive species, do not remove it.Consult with a landscape expert or see the Appendices Section entitled InvasivePlants in Your Backyard: A Guide to Their Identication & Control.

Please do not use chemical herbicides. Beecher Road School promotes Integrated Pest

Management (IPM) which is explained in greater detail on page 12 and Appendix C.

Bioltration Swale Anatomy

1

2

3

Curb Cut / Inletwhere stormwater enters

Vegetation / Filter Mediaplanted area where stormwater collects &

soaks into the ground below

Outfall Draincollects excess stormwater to prevent ooding

1

2

3

A word on weeding...

8

Image Credit: Green Street Care and Maintenance Guide - City of Portland, Oregon


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Maintenance Responsibilities

Care & Maintenance Activity

Filter Media

Vegetation

Drainage Infrastructure

Mulching

Litter Removal

Erosion Control

Sediment/Debris Removal

Soil Aeration

Watering

Weeding

Plant Health Assessment

Prune Vegetation

Inll Planting

Energy Dissipater Repair

Clean & Inspect Outfall Drains

Clean Curb Cuts/Inlets

ProfessionalMaintenance

Personnel

RESPONSIBILITYACTIVITY

Student Swale Stewards

Inspect

& Maintain

Inspect

ONLY

Some of the maintenance activities explained in the schedule should be conductedby professional maintenance personnel or Town-contracted professionals. Other

activities can easily be done by supervised student stewards. Below is a chartidentifying the maintenance activities and potential responsibilities. These are onlysuggestions and it is up to the school and faculty to determine those activities whichstudents can be responsible for. For all care activities conducted by Student Stewards,the importance of supervision, training and safety should be stressed.

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Safety Guidelines

Make yourself visible. Wear bright colored clothing or a safety vestwhen maintaining swales next to parking lots or roadways.

Apply extra caution and be aware of passing vehicles whenmaintaining swales next to parking lots or roadways.

Wear sturdy shoes and thick gloves to help protect you from brokenglass, sharp objects, pollutants or other hazards.

Maintain bioltration swales only during daylight hours and avoid peak

trafc times.

All children under the age of 18 should be accompanied by an adultfaculty member or volunteer.

Do not leave your tools unattended. Keep them out of the street andoff of the sidewalk so as not to pose a safety hazard. Store tools in a

safe location.

Follow these important safety guidelines before maintaining your bioltration swale:

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Below are a variety of tools to make the work easier:

Tools & Equipment

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Garden Gloves Broom & Dustpan

Weed Fork

Garden Hose

Bright Clothing

Trash Grabber

Yard Debris Bag

Garden Rake

Hand Trowel


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Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management, or IPM, is an approach to pest control [weeds,insects, and diseases] that uses regular monitoring to determine if and whentreatments are needed, and employs physical, mechanical, cultural and

biological tactics to keep pest number low enough to prevent intolerabledamage or annoyance. Least-toxic chemical controls are used as a last resort.

-Daar, Olkowski & Olkowski (1992) IPM Training Manual for Landscape Gardeners

Set Action ThresholdDecide to tolerate some damage but determine the point where pestcontrol actions should be taken.

Monitor RegularlyAssess plant health regularly.

Identify PestsAccurately identify and understand any observed pests and their life cycles.

ControlWhen pests exceed threshold, use the control method with the least non-target impact (i.e. physical, cultural or biological control rst). Treat withchemical methods as a last resort.

Keep RecordsMaintain records of control methods used and their results in order toevaluate and adapt practices.

Replace Problem PlantsIf certain plant species are observed to be continuously susceptible to pests

and disease, consider replacing with more pest-, disease-, or weed-resistantvarieties.

PreventionPlant vigorous, pest-resistant and site-adapted varieties. Perform routinemaintenance activities (watering, mulching, pruning, etc.) to discouragepests.

General IPM Steps and Methods

1

3

4

5

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7

2

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References

Appendices

Environmental Services, City of Portland Oregon (2010) Green Street Care and Mainte-

nance Guide. < http://www.portlandonline.com/bes/index.cfm?a=319879&c=52501>

Environmental Services, City of Portland Oregon (2012) Stormwater Solutions Handbook.

< http://www.portlandonline.com/bes/index.cfm?c=43110>

Facility for Advancing Water Bioltration (2008) Raingardens and Bioretention Tree

Pits Maintenance Plan. < http://www.monash.edu.au/fawb/publications/raingarden-

maintenance-plan.pdf>

Puget Sound Action Team (2007)Maintenance of Low Impact Development Facilities.

Seattle Green Factor (2002) Preparing Landscape Management Plans for Seattle Green

Factor Compliance. < http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/static/SGF%20landscape%20main-

tenance%20plan_LatestReleased_DPDP_021715.pdf>

Stenlund, Dwayne (2002)Maintenance Plan for the Micro-Storm Water Depression Rain-

water System: Cottage Grove Park & Ride.

Appendix AInvasive Plants in Your Backyard: A Guide to Their Identifcation and ControlConnecticut River Coastal Conservation District (2009)

Appendix BGuidelines for Disposal of Terrestrial Invasive PlantsConnecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, University of

Connecticut, Connecticut Invasive Plant Working Group

Appendix CIntegrated Pest Management Fact SheetUnited States Environmental Protection Agency (2008)

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Documents

2012-09-17_Beecher Maintenance Manual_double Sided