Check for local or state incentives for water conservation, which can make this credit more feasible. Rebates are common. Also, some municipalities offer treated wastewater to buildings, which may be used for toilet flushing (although in most places it is restricted to landscape use).
A designated staff person should log all pest management activities. In the event that toxic pesticides must be administered, record how and when universal notification was provided. If all pertinent information is not properly documented, your credit application may be rejected. Use the log template provided in the Documentation Toolkit.
Vendors involved in various elements of the Plan carry out tasks according to their contracts and report all relevant activities to building management.
You don’t need to switch exclusively to natural and organic fertilizers, but you must demonstrate that you used best management practices during at least 20% of the time. Performance metrics include but are not limited to the amount of natural fertilizers used versus the amount of artificial chemicals used, by gallons or cost.
Any project with vegetated landscaping, including exterior planter boxes, must establish a plan for minimizing the use of chemical fertilizers. Strategies include:
Provide the total site area restored or protected, total site area (including the building footprint), the building footprint, a site plan showing all natural areas contributing to credit compliance and, if you are providing full documentation (not attempting the streamlined LPE path), a list of the native and adapted vegetation that contributes to credit compliance. If you are providing documentation through the streamlined LPE path, a Registered Landscape Architect needs to sign off stating that the requirements for native or adapted plantings have been achieved.
