Low Impact Development and Bioretention Maintenance

1. Low Impact Development and Bioretention Maintenance Day Two – Part 4 DDOT Maintenance Requirements 2-4

2. Overview – Day Two • Bioretention Maintenance Evaluation • Visual Indicators • Corrective Actions • Weeds & Invasives • Requirements • Plant Identification • Introduction to: • Self-Directed Field Exercises (20 hours) • Self-Directed Research (8 hours)

3. Overview • District maintenance requirements • Maryland maintenance requirements • Virginia maintenance requirements • This section will cover District of Columbia maintenance requirements in detail • Maryland and Virginia requirements will be covered in a more abbreviated form

4. Expected Outcomes • Know how a site’s maintenance requirements are established and where to find them • Know how maintenance requirements are enforced, and how to handle violations

5. District Maintenance Requirements • The maintenance requirements for BMPs in the District are established in DDOE’s Stormwater Management Guidebook (the Guidebook)

6. Maintenance Responsibility • A maintenance agreement and maintenance schedule must be submitted as part of the Stormwater Management Plan (SWMP) • The property owner is responsible for maintaining the BMP in good condition, and in accordance with the approved SWMP.

7. Declaration of Covenants • A Declaration of Covenants specifically states the property owner’s maintenance responsibilities • This is recorded with the owner’s deed • Provides for regular inspection by DDOE • Binds current and future owners to the maintenance schedule contained in the approved SWMP

8. Maintenance Inspections • DDOE inspects all BMPs twice per year for the first five years of operation, and once every three years thereafter • A standardized maintenance inspection form is used, and a report is prepared and maintained by DDOE

9. Corrective Actions • If violations are found, DDOE will send written notice to the property owner • Generally, maintenance work and repairs must be done within 45-60 days • If maintenance is not performed, DDOE will perform the necessary work and the property owner will be responsible for reimbursing DDOE for the cost of the work plus applicable penalties

10. Waste Removal • When waste material is removed from a bioretention cell, it must be disposed of in compliance with federal and District laws.

11. DDOT • Projects in the right-of-way are under DDOT’s control, and should follow DDOT’s bioretention maintenance schedule

12. Maryland Maintenance Requirements • The Maryland Department of the Environment sets out basic standards and maintenance requirements for bioretention cells • Additional requirements are imposed at the county level

13. Montgomery County, MD • Landscape contractors performing maintenance on LID facilities must be certified by the county Department of Environmental Protection • Training courses are offered once a year • http://www6.montgomerycountymd.gov/dectmpl.asp?url=/Content/dep/water/stormwatercontractor.asp

14. Virginia Maintenance Requirements • The State of Virginia requires that a maintenance agreement be executed between the property owner and the local stormwater program • The VA DCR Bioretention Design Specification contains recommended maintenance and inspection schedules for bioretention • http://vwrrc.vt.edu/swc/NonProprietaryBMPs.html

15. Regular Bioretention Maintenance • All facilities located within the right-of-way must follow DDOT’s recommended bioretention maintenance schedule

16. General Maintenance • Remove trash and animal waste Method • By hand Frequency • Quarterly and as needed Time of year • Year-round Photo Courtesy of DDOT

17. Drainage System Maintenance • Inspect curb cuts and velocity dissipators for debris, sediment, and blockages • Clean debris, sediment, and blockages from curb cuts and velocity dissipators • Inspect velocity dissipators, weirs, and check dams for stone placement and weirs and check dams for debris accumulations • Clean debris, sediment, and blockages from weirs and check dams

18. Drainage System Maintenance (cont’d) • Replace stone at velocity dissipators, weirs, and check dams • Inspect for standing water in excess of 2 days • Inspect cleanout pipes and underdrains • Flush out debris from underdrain to clear pipe when filled with debris and when standing water exceeds 2 days

19. Inspect curb cuts and velocity dissipators for debris, sediment, and blockages Method • Visual Frequency • Quarterly Time of year • Year-round Photo Courtesy of the Low Impact Development Center, Inc.

20. Clean debris, sediment, and blockages from curb cuts and velocity dissipators Method • By hand Frequency • Quarterly and as needed Time of year • Year-round Photo Courtesy of Emily Ayers

21. Inspect velocity dissipators, weirs, and check dams for stone placement and weirs and check dams for debris accumulation Method • Visual Frequency • Twice a year Time of year • Year-round Photo Courtesy of DDOT

22. Clean debris, sediment, and blockages from velocity dissipators, weirs, and check dams Method • By hand Frequency • Twice a year and as needed Time of year • Year-round Photo Courtesy of the Low Impact Development Center, Inc.

23. Replace stone at velocity dissipators, weirs, and check dams Method • By hand per plan Frequency • As needed Time of year • November-March Photo Courtesy of the Low Impact Development Center, Inc.

24. Inspect for standing water in excess of 2 days Method • Visual Frequency • Twice a year Time of year • Year round Photo Courtesy of the Low Impact Development Center, Inc.

25. Inspect cleanout pipes and underdrains Method • Visual Frequency • Twice a year Time of year • Year-round

26. Flush out debris from underdrain to clear pipe when filled with debris and when standing water exceeds 2 days Method • High pressure water hose or drain snake Frequency • As needed Time of year • Year-round

27. Plant Maintenance • Remove weeds and non-desirable plants • Water plants regularly during the first three years • Water plants during drought conditions (no rain for two weeks) after three years in ground • Remove stakes and wires • Inspect plants for disease and pest problems

28. Plant Maintenance (cont’d) • Treat plants for disease and pest problems if needed using the least toxic method possible • Remove plant debris and prune plants as appropriate for each plant species • Remove dead and diseased plants as needed • Replace dead plants with same species and cultivar during spring or fall planting season.

29. Remove weeds and non-desirable plants Method • By hand Frequency • Three times a year Time of year • March-April, June-July, Sept.-Oct. Photo Courtesy of Emily Ayers

30. Water plants regularly during the first three years Method • By hand Frequency • When rainfall is less than one inch per week Time of year • May-October

31. Water plants during drought conditions (no rain for two weeks) after three years in ground Method • By hand Frequency • Weekly during drought Time of year • May-October

32. Remove stakes and wires Method • By hand Frequency • Once Time of year • Six months after planting Photo Courtesy of DDOT

33. Inspect plants for disease and pest problems Method • Visual Frequency • Three times a year Time of year • March-April, June-July, Sept.-Oct.

34. Treat plants for disease and pest problems if needed using least toxic method possible Method • By hand Frequency • As needed Time of year • At appropriate time for disease or pest treatment

35. Remove plant debris and prune plants as appropriate for each plant species Method • By hand Frequency • Twice a year and as needed Time of year • February-April, September-November

36. Remove dead and diseased plants as needed Method • By hand Frequency • As needed Time of year • At appropriate time for disease or pest treatment

37. Replace dead plants with same species and cultivar during spring or fall planting season. If entire group of plants has declined or died, replace with more suitable species and cultivar. Method • According to planting specifications Frequency • As needed Time of year • March 15 – April 30 orOctober 15 – Nov. 30

38. Soil and Mulch Maintenance • Inspect mulch and soil • Repair erosion and bare areas with new mulch • Much with 2 inches shredded organic mulch • Remove mulch layer before applying a new layer

39. Inspect mulch and soil Method • Visual Frequency • Quarterly Time of year • Year-round Photo Courtesy of Seattle Public Utilities

40. Repair erosion and bare areas with new mulch Method • By hand Frequency • As needed Time of year • Year-round Photo Courtesy of the Low Impact Development Center, Inc.

41. Mulch with 2 inches of shredded organic mulch Method • By hand Frequency • Once a year Time of year • February – April Photo Courtesy of the Low Impact Development Center, Inc.

42. Remove mulch layer before applying a new layer Method • By hand Frequency • Every three years Time of year • February – April

43. Review • Maintenance recommendations and requirements vary depending on who has jurisdiction over a given site • Bioretention in the ROW should follow DDOT’s recommended maintenance schedule • Other bioretention installations in the District should follow DDOE’s maintenance schedule

44. Resources • DDOT Bioretention Maintenance Schedule • 2013 District of Columbia Stormwater Management Guidebook (http://ddoe.dc.gov/swregs)

45. Overview – Day Two • Bioretention Maintenance Evaluation • Visual Indicators • Corrective Actions • Weeds & Invasives • Requirements • Plants • Introduction to: • Self-Directed Field Exercises (20 hours) • Self-Directed Research (8 hours)