TM March 19 (Wednesday) How to Use Sustainable Permaculture Design Principles to Produce Abundant Gardens Volume 24, Issue 2 February 2014 Upcoming Events February 19 (Wed) Chapter Board Meeting 5:00 pm Board Meeting Ewing Irrigation 1175 Prospect Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 March 19 (Wed) Chapter Dinner Meeting 5:00 pm Board Meeting 6:30 pm Dinner/Program Spyglass Inn Restaurant 2703 Spyglass Drive Pismo Beach, CA www.clcaslo.org Josh Carmichael, Carmichael Environmental, will show how the three ethics of Permaculture Design—Earth Care, People Care, & Fair Share Trade—can produce more functional, cost-effective and environmentally friendly landscapes. C armichael Environmental started in 2001 by Josh Carmichael as an outlet for his passion of art and science and love of the natural world. Josh is a community activist, environmental steward, and longtime resident of San Luis Obispo County. The Carmichael Environmental team is comprised of Cal Poly horticulture and landscape architecture graduates and others focused on improving our environment with a hands-on approach. Specializing in all facets of sustainable design-build landscape construction, they also conduct workshops, lectures, nature hikes, and other educational events. 5:00 pm – CLCA SLO Chapter Board Meeting (all members welcome) 6:30 pm – Dinner/Program: Josh Carmichael Place: Spyglass Inn Restaurant 2703 Spyglass Drive, Pismo Beach Cost: $30/per person, with RSVP by Friday, March 14; $35/per person, at the door RSVP: To make your reservation, please contact Shawn Sousa by Friday, March 14, at 805-748-3721 or by email to [email protected]. ABOUT JOSH CARMICHAEL… • Board Member, SLO Green Build • Member, Coalition of Appropriate Technology • Instructor, Cuesta College Community Programs, Bridge Demo Garden • Lecturer, Cuesta College Construction Technology, Green Jobs Training • Instructor, SLO County Partners in Water Conservation Committee, Greywater Workshop • Instructor, Cal Poly Continuing ED, CA Native Plants • Permaculture Design Certification, Wild Heart Gardens, Merritt College, Oakland, CA • Permaculture Design Certification, Earth Flow Design, CP Continuing ED • Member, AmeriCorps Environmental Stewards Program 2014 San Luis Obispo Chapter Officers President............................. Mike Kneeskern, Central Coast Landscape Products....... [email protected]......... 805-595-3478 Immediate Past President... David Brown, Mari Landscaping.................................. [email protected].................. 805-226-9787 VP, Membership / PR.......... Bruce Courter, Day Star Ent., Inc................................. [email protected]. .....................805-237-1420 VP, Programs / Events......... Shawn Sousa, AAA Landscaping.................................. [email protected]............................ 805-748-3721 Secretary............................. Gina Marie Hall, All Seasons Gardening & Landscaping... [email protected]............ 805-544-5296 Treasurer............................. Pat Connelly, St. Francis L/S....................................... [email protected]. ..................... 805-235-1859 Associate Member Rep........ Jonathan Araya, Ewing Irrigation............................... [email protected] Education Liaison............... Brandon Delon, Leftside Landscape............................. [email protected] Board Member..................... Evan Moffit, KD Janni Landscaping, Inc........................ [email protected]. ...................805-748-8931 Editors................................. Kevin & Sandy Daugherty, Red Boots Studios............ [email protected]. ..........................805-704-5461 CLCA Board of Directors President.......................................... Frank Niccoli........................(650) 592-9440 Director of Events........................... Eric Briner............................(559) 453-2539 President-Elect................................ Chuck Carr...........................(805) 732-3705 Director of Education..................... Steve Jacobs CLP, CLT........(760) 945-4321 Immediate Past President.............. Eric Watanabe.....................(818) 993-0200 Director of Membership................. Javier Lesaca . .....................(661) 836-0229 Secretary/Treasurer........................ Ted Sandrowski...................(530) 345-6101 Director of Resource Mngmnt....... Tom Noonan CID, CLIA......(916) 812-5034 Executive Director.......................... Sharon McGuire......(800) 448-2522 ext 13 Associate Member Director........... Rick Zinn..............................(925) 864-1088 Director of Communications......... Jessica Centeno...................(310) 768-4089 Co-Dir. of Chapter Pres. Council... Aaron Huxley.......................(408) 824-0181 Director of Chapter Services......... Richard Sheffield.................(661) 245-1147 Co-Dir. of Chapter Pres. Council... Steve Beckstrom, CLT......... (714) 379-1140 Director of Legislation................... Pete Dufau, CLT...................(805) 642-1239 SLO CLCA Past Presidents 2012-13 David Brown Mari Landscaping 2011 Aaron Huxley Hunter Industries 2009-10 / 2005-06 Erik Wolting All Seasons Gardening & Landscaping 2007–08 Jim Trask California Water Shapes 2004 John Doyle J Doyle Landscaping 1998–2001 Bruce Courter Day Star Enterprises, Inc. 1995 Danté D’Alfonso D’Alfonso’s Landscape 1993 John Ruggiero Arcadian Gardens 2002–03 Pat Connelly St. Francis Landscape 1996–98 Lloyd Gracey Pacific Coast Landscapes 1994 Duane Morris Duane Morris Landscape Designer/Contractor 1991-92 Bruce Courter Day Star Enterprises Guide to Advertisers Please support our advertisers by remembering them first when making your next purchase. Let them know you saw their ad in the SLO Xpress! Birch Equipment Finance ............................................................3 Central Coast Sod..........................................................................16 Coastline Equipment.............................................................10, 15 Ewing Irrigation . ...........................................................................11 Farm Supply ...................................................................................16 Greenfields Turf ..............................................................................8 Gro-Power, Inc. ................................................................................8 Growing Grounds Farm (TMHA) . ..............................................9 J.R. Simplot Company ...................................................................5 Landscape Contractors Insurance Services, Inc. .................9 Netafim .............................................................................................. 9 Olson Irrigation Systems ..............................................................5 Palm Tree Plantation NEW! .........................................................3 Red Boots Studios.......................................................................... 13 Quinn Company............................................................................... 4 Rossi Transport Services . ...........................................................16 Sanford Stone Company . ............................................................9 San Marcos Growers . ....................................................................8 Santa Barbara Stone ....................................................................16 Thank you to all of the companies that generously support our chapter newsletter by placing an advertisement. slo xpress february 2014 president’s message W elcome to the February edition of the SLOXpress! 2014 is off to a great start for the SLO chapter! MIke Kneeskern, CLCA–SLO President Central Coast Landscape Products We were pleased to have Jim Huston visit us in January to teach his seminar on down economy estimating. We had a great turnout and we are hoping to carry that momentum through the rest of the year. I’d like to personally invite you to attend our next event at the beautiful Spyglass Inn in Shell Beach as local expert Josh Carmichael shares his insight on how to prepare for spring planting in the San Luis Obispo County. Please take a minute to visit clcaslo. org and browse our events calendar and make sure to contact our events director to register early for events you’d like to attend. their knowledge with you and be sure to check out how you can become a certified water manager through the CLCA. Thank you for your continued support of your local chapter and I look forward to seeing you at our next event! In closing, I know that the drought is on everyone’s minds these days. Remember Best Wishes, to be creative with your Mike Kneeskern clients and be pro-active in Chapter President showing them what you’re doing to save them water. Also be sure to consult with your local vendors to see what materials you can incorporate into your landscapes that will use less or no water.E6ABIG::EA6CI6I>DC Finally, &$)"eV\ZVYÕ(#+'*Ç]m)#-,*Çl remember that the CLCA is hadmegZhhcZlhaZiiZg&&$&( full of certified water managers who are willing to share =443?0;<CA44B. L^cYb^aaEVabIgZZhIgVX]nXVgejh;dgijcZ^ F4>554AF7>;4B0;4?A828=6 Visit Palm Tree Plantation In Atascadero! • Specializing In Windmill Palm Trees (Trachycarpus Fortunei) • Featuring 3,000 Cold Hardy Palm Trees • Palms available in-Ground and also in-Containers • Discounts on Large Quantities • We Offer Wholesale Pricing! PALM TREE PLAN ATION lll#eVabigZZeaVciVi^dc#Xdb 86AACDLidhZZdjgWZVji^[jaEVabh/ -%*")++"**,. february 2014 slo xpress LEAF Scholarships Fund the Future of the Green Industry cipient of the San Diego Chapter Scholarship. S ince 1988, CLCA has been recognizing exemplary academic achievement by awarding scholarships to students through CLCA's (LEAF) Landscape Educational Advancement Foundation. In 2013, CLCA has granted a total of $18,850 to 14 students pursuing horticulture degrees at California colleges and universities. Recipients from Southern California, or whose schools or donating chapters are in Southern California, include: David Boggs of Spring Valley is a sophomore at Cuyamaca College in El Cajon majoring in arboriculture. Boggs is the re- Christopher Martinez of Indio Hills is a student at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. He received the Inland Empire Chapter Scholarship and the Ron Heaviland Memorial Scholarship. Chaz Perea of Whittier is a senior at Perm State University online and recently finished his course of study in ornamental horticulture at Mt. San Antonio College in Walnut, receiving an associate's of science degree in ornamental horticulture and an associate's of science degree in integrated pest management. He is currently working to earn a bachelor of science degree in turfgrass science and preparing for work on two master's degrees: an MBA and a master's in environmental science. A Certified Arborist and Certified Irrigation Auditor, Perea also has a Qualified Applicator License and Pest Control Advisors License. He currently works as a landscape manager for the Los Angeles Dodgers and is a coach on the Mt. San Antonio College turf team. He was awarded the Los Angeles San Gabriel Valley Chapter Scholarship, the Tom Yanase Pacific Coast Chapter Scholarship and the Jaie Wallace Memorial Scholarship. Cody Stewart of Ventura, a student at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, is the recipient of the Hi Kellogg Memorial Scholarship, the Elizabeth Lloyd-Davis Foundation Scholarship, the Joy and Warren Thurston Memorial Scholarship, the Stuart Sperber Memorial Fund Scholarship, the Henry Soto/Rose Marie Head Memorial Scholarship, a CLCA General Fund Scholarship and a CLCA Women's Auxiliary Scholarship. Cody Wallace of Fullerton is a senior at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and the incoming vice president of the Horticulture Club. Wallace received the Orange County Chapter Scholarship, the Walt Young Memorial Scholarship, the Ben Slade Memorial Scholarship, the Tom Matsuoka Memorial Scholarship and a CLCA General Fund Scholarship. Jeremiah Wheeler of Shasta Lake is a junior at Shasta College majoring in horticulture. This summer he is working to receive his pest applicator's license, his irrigation auditor's certification and his C-27 license. He received the North Valley Chapter Scholarship and the Associate Member organization Scholarship. YOUR INVESTMENT GETS SMARTER EVERY YEAR. 0 % Offer available on the following new machines: for 48 months + 90 Days No Payments* On Sel Select ect Cat Machines ® • Skid Steer Loaders • Multi Terrain Loaders • Compact Track Loaders • Wheel Excavators • Mini Hydraulic Excavators • Small Excavators • Large Excavators • Backhoe Loaders • Small Track-Type Tractors • Medium Track-Type Tractors • Compact Wheel Loaders • Small Wheel Loaders • Medium Wheel Loaders • Motor Graders Caterpillar helps your business succeed every day – by ensuring you’ve got tthe right machine for the job, making parts readily available, giving you the work tools you need, and providing expert service. Don’t miss this limited time opportunity! Contact Quinn Company today for more details. *Offer available to qualifying customers in the USA and cannot be combined with any other offers. 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Staying in compliance and making a difference doesn’t always mean spending dollars. Sometimes it’s just a matter of having pride in what we do. These guidelines are intended to provide a range of general information about stormwater quality BMPs and related issues faced by landscape contractors on job sites in California. These guidelines do not address site-specific applications or the entire scope of federal, state february 2014 and local regulations. Landscape contractors must consult with a stormwater professional to determine the applicability of the information provided for any general use or site-specific purposes. Users of these guidelines assume all liability directly or indirectly arising from using this information. CLCA once again thanks David Franklin, CPESC, stormwater management services trainer for EnviroTech NPDES, for helping update his 2007 draft of this document. CLCA Stormwater Guidance for the Landscape Industry The History O n June 23, 1969, the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland caught on fire. For over one hundred years, this river and others in industrialized areas ignited on occasion. Rivers served as sewer systems for industrial and human waste. Local authorities were generally powerless against the polluters as there were few legal mechanisms in place. During the 1960’s, the ecology movement was growing, images of this flaming river embarrassed the nation, Randy Newman wrote the song, “Burn on Big River”. Within a few years, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was formed and Congress passed the Clean Water Act (CWA). The Law The Clean Water Act is a long and complex law that regulates slo xpress discharges into Waters of the US. The goal of this legislation was to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation’s waters. The CWA prohibits “the discharge of any pollutant by any person”. While this is not an achievable goal, the result of the … continued on page 8 slo xpress february 2014 SLO CLCA Chapter Partners Program - 2014 www.clcaslo.org Sponsorship Levels Cuesta Circle - $325.00 (Contractors Only) a $605.00 Value • Name on SLO CLCA Chapter Banner* and website 1- Kick -Off Event: “Down Economy” Workshop 2- Dinner Meetings 1- Golf Player entry, 2014 SLO CLCA Golf Tournament 1- Hole Sponsorship, 2014 SLO CLCA Golf Tournament Montaña de Oro** - $1,250.00 an over $1,800.00 value • LARGE Logo on SLO CLCA Chapter Banner*, SLO CLCA Chapter website and at Beautification Awards 1- Kick -Off Event: “Down Economy” Workshop 1- Chapter Dinner meeting 2- tickets, 2014 SLO CLCA Beautification Awards Dinner 1- Sponsorship of a Beautification Award** (excluding Sweepstakes and John Thomas Awards) 4- Golf Player entries, 2014 SLO CLCA Golf Tournament 4- Mulligan packets, 2014 SLO CLCA Golf Tournament 1- Hole Sponsorship, 2014 SLO CLCA Golf Tournament Cerro San Luis - $550.00 a $945.00 value • Logo on SLO CLCA Chapter Banner*, SLO CLCA Chapter website and at Beautification Awards 1- Kick -Off Event: “Down Economy” Workshop 1- ticket, 2014 SLO CLCA Beautification Awards Dinner 1- Sponsorship of a Beautification Award** (excluding Sweepstakes and John Thomas Awards) 1- Hole Sponsorship, 2014 SLO CLCA Golf Tournament Morro Rock** - $850.00 a $1,245.00 value • Logo on SLO CLCA Chapter Banner*, SLO CLCA Chapter website and at Beautification Awards 1- Kick -Off Event: “Down Economy” Workshop 1- ticket, 2014 SLO CLCA Beautification Awards Dinner 1- Hole Sponsorship, 2014 SLO CLCA Golf Tournament 4- Golf Player entries, 2014 SLO CLCA Golf Tournament 2- Mulligan packets, 2014 SLO CLCA Golf Tournament Additional Options (you must have purchased one of the above packages) Golf Hole Sponsor…………………………………………...… $150.00 Each Additional Golfer ………………………………………. $150.00 Dinner Meeting Sponsorship…………………………….$1,000.00 Sponsor a Beautification Award………………….……….$500.00 A Tee Box Booth ………………………………..……………….$300.00 Donate to the Salute Fund or CLCA-SLO Scholarships If you are able to, please consider making a donation to the Salute Fund (where your money will be used to help fund our Wounded Warrior Garden Project) or the CLCA-SLO Scholarships (which go to local Cal Poly landscape industry students). Please contact Mike Kneeskern at 805-464-1393 for details. *Chapter Banners are displayed at all SLO Chapter Events **Please add an additional $200.00 to sponsor either the Sweepstakes or John Thomas Memorial Award categories SLO Chapter Sponsorship Form Sponsorship Level Name Business Address Additional Options Phone Order total: Check Enclosed Total: Fax completed form to 805-544-8702 or mail to SLO CLCA - Attn: Partners Program Committee • P.O. Box 14755 - San Luis Obispo, CA 93406 Visit our SLO Chapter website at www.clcaslo.org february 2014 slo xpress state news continued… law was to require that discharges of pollutants be done under a federal permit, administered under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). Initially, the CWA targeted wastewater discharges: wastewater leaving the pipes of factories and Publicly Owned Treatment Works (PTOWs) and being dumped into waterways. Eventually, stormwater washing off of urban areas from municipalities, industrial/commercial and construction sites was recognized as a significant source of pollutants. The ongoing discovery of the types and sources of pollution and the prioritization and implementation of solutions has guided the growth of new regulations meant to improve the quality of the Nation’s waters. Federal law requires that each state identifies the beneficial uses of waters in the state (drinking, tourism, transporta- from page 5 tion, natural habitat, commercial uses, swimming etc.). Most states, including California are authorized to administer the NPDES program on behalf of the EPA in order to protect the beneficial uses. In California the authority to regulate storm water runoff under the NPDES system has been delegated to the State Water Resources Control Board and the nine Regional Water Quality Control Boards. The Water Board writes permits (called General Permits) in a variety of categories. Categories include: heavy industry such as transportation (airports, railroads), municipalities (cities, counties, schools, prisons etc.) having separate storm sewer systems (separate from sanitary sewers and hence the term “municipal separate storm sewer systems” [MS4s]) and construction sites disturbing over one acre of land. These entities “ask permission” to sign on to the permit covering its activities and the discharges that result. Additionally, Individual Permits are written for facilities with unique operations (a power company discharging thermally elevated waters used for cooling). The law requires that it be the owner who seeks coverage under the appropriate permit. The owner is then responsible for sub-tier workers. Permits for municipalities are tailored for that particular urban area while following a standard template meant to ensure that all municipal permits address common concerns. Smaller and more rural municipalities are allowed to operate without gaining permit coverage for the time being. Statewide, all construction sites having an acre or more of disturbance are required to gain coverage under one General Construction Permit which is based on the commonalities that construction projects share. The site conditions and information specific to each project are addressed in a document called a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP); it is meant to be guidance for all operators on the site and so all operators should be familiar with it. The Fines Significant monetary fines exist. Anyone contributing to environmental pollution may end up sharing a part of the fine. Regulators prefer to be “compliance assistors‚”, but when they respond to a citizen’s complaint of an illegal discharge, their mindset may be more, “the learning curve is over; when is this stuff going to end”? Fine amounts have been growing as has been the inclusion of lowertier subs in the citation process. The Process Landscape contractors will probably discover that their activities are regulated by two different permits: a municipal MS4 permit and a construction permit. MS4 permits require that the municipality monitors commercial operations for activities that may be contributing to … continued on page 9 EQUIPMENT FOR SALE! Bruce Courter of Day Star Enterprises Inc. is retiring and has put all of his landscape contracting equipment up for sale. Find GREAT DEALS on equipment, tools and tractors (e.g. a Kubota Skip Loader L-275 and a Kanga, complete with attachments and trailer). Also for sale is a 2004 Ford Ranger XLT Extended Cab pickup. For more information and details, call Bruce at 805-237-1420 Peggy Koegler Sales Manager Phone:(805) 683-1561 Fax: (805) 964-1329 [email protected] http://www.smgrowers.com slo xpress 125 S. San Marcos Rd P.O. Box 6827 Santa Barbara, CA 93160-6827 february 2014 state news continued… pollution: restaurants washing greasy mats and allowing the wash water to flow to the storm drain, auto parts stores where customers change their oil in the parking lot and then rain carries spilled oil to the gutter and landscape contractors who store broken bags of fertilizer without protective cover, thus allowing the eventual migration of nutrients to the creeks, lakes and ocean. So, landscapers need to monitor their operation yard, vehicles and jobsites for ways to eliminate or reduce activities and practices that contribute to pollution. Landscapers, who work on projects disturbing an acre or more, are required to operate under the State General Construction Permit (CGP). As mentioned earlier, site specific guidance is contained in the project’s SWPPP. The SWPPP is required to be onsite for review and adherence. Information on from page 8 SWPPPs is outlined below. While the state of California enforces the federal Clean Water Act, it is free to add on regulations that are stricter. Since 2010, stormwater management requirements have been raised to a level not seen before in the United States. New regulations have defined key roles for stormwater practitioners (QSPs) and SWPPP developers (QSDs). These individuals are required to have ongoing formal and informal training. Along with the property owner, they are responsible for protecting the environment. In California, all construction projects disturbing over one acre must utilize a QSP and QSD. If your company works on CGP projects, document the environmental training of your staff. It will be needed for inclusion in the SWPPP and it will reflect positively on your firm. Finally, local ordinances may exist which are more strict than federal or state laws. Every landscape contractor should contact the local jurisdictions where they work to find out what local rules may apply. Check the stormwater webpage or call the stormwater manager. The Methods After having identified the beneficial uses of the state’s waters, California maintains a program of identifying what pollutants are impacting the waters and what human activities contribute those pollutants: agriculture contributes sediment, pesticides, nutrient runoff etc; livestock operations contribute bacteria; transportation departments contribute heavy metals from brake wear, hydrocarbons from oil drips etc. It’s at this point that solutions for preventing pollution releases to the waters need to be developed; in the same way that farmers needed to learn during the dust bowl days to plant windrows of trees to prevent erosion from wind. Public sector interests such as the EPA and private sector interest such as home building associations have developed products and practices to minimize or eliminate pollutant discharges. These are called BMPs (Best Management Practices). Some examples of product BMPs are silt fence, erosion control blankets, hydroseeding, gravel bags at drain inlets and storage containers for preventing rain from coming in contact with chemicals. These are sometimes referred to as “structural BMPs”. “Non-structural BMPs” are good habits or practices or strategies. Some examples are doing routine vehicle maintenance under controlled shop conditions rather than on a construction site, educating employees on stormwater issues upon hire and specifically as jobsite issues arise, and scheduling soil disturbing activities to the dry season or between storms and stabilizing the ground as soon as … continued on page 11 Growing Grounds Farm DELIVERY AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT SLO COUNTY! Phone: 805-543-6071 Fax: 805-543-6092 Open 8:30 to 4:30 Mon.–Fri. 3740 Orcutt Road San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 www.growinggroundsfarm.org Hope through horticulture: Nurturing plants and people Free Techline® calculaTor app Calculating Netafim Techline Installations Has Never Been Quicker or easier – Download the app Today. WWW.neTaFiMuSa.coM february 2014 slo xpress Techline.BusCardAd_B&W_02-14.indd 1 12/19/13 5:24 PM 10 slo xpress february 2014 state news continued… possible to prevent erosion from rain and wind. BMPs are also divided into categories of “temporary” or “permanent”. Temporary straw applications are used until permanent sod is installed. California now requires that specific BMPs must be used and as such, operators are obligated to select these minimum BMPs and others that will be most effective for their operations. Selecting these BMP solutions can be challenging as one site may differ greatly from the next. In addition to BMP selection and use, certain strategies have become standard operating procedures for the stormwater industry: i.e. do not place a portable toilet on top of a drain inlet and when fueling equipment, use a location at least 50 feet from the site’s discharge locations (in case of leaks or spills) and don’t expose more landscape than can be protected in the event of rain. following BMPs are typically employed: from page 9 To this end, many different agencies and associations across the country have developed manuals on BMPs and stormwater management strategies. Sharing and borrowing has generally been common. This has bettered the industry and minimized the need to “re-invent the wheel”. It is typical for guidance manuals to include the following sections for each BMP: 1. a description 2. typical applications 3. limitations 4. specifications 5. inspection, maintenance and repair requirements For landscapers, the operations yard and the construction site are the usual areas of concern. At the operations yard, the 1. Material Usage: keeping chemicals, auto fluids etc under cover of roof or tarp, and elevated if flowing rainwater may come in contact with them and contained on the perimeter in case spills occur. Having a spill response plan and materials (absorbents) available and staff trained on using them is another part of the BMP. 2. Waste Management: proper disposal of wastes, using dumpsters with lids that are kept closed, preventing rain from leaching pollutants from materials stored in truck beds. 3. Equipment and Vehicle Maintenance: preventing spills, repairing leaking equipment etc. 4. Education is a BMP too: training your people. On a construction site, landscape crews should be familiar with the SWPPP and the BMPs for that site. The SWPPP is the master plan and is usually composed of a binder and drawings. The binder will include required forms, site info, inspection reports, responsible persons, all the subcontractors on site, the selected BMPs etc. The drawings will show locations for the BMP. Here are some typical BMPs found in a SWPPP. 1. Stockpile Management: covering stockpiles and protecting from storm flow erosion at the base. This includes keeping materials out of the gutter flow zone. 2. Street Sweeping: sweeping at day’s end or more often if needed since sediments can migrate off site via vehicle tires. 3. Material Usage: same as for the operations yard. 4. Erosion Control: quality … continued on page 12 Open House BBQ Friday, March 7, 2014 | 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Join us at Ewing San Luis Obispo for our Open House BBQ to celebrate our new location. Representatives from your favorite vendors, including Hunter, Toro, FX, and Vista, will be on hand to answer all of your product questions. We’ll serve some delicious carne asada for lunch. Hope to see you there! Ewing San Luis Obispo 1175 Prospect St. | San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 P: 805.545.9530 | F: 805.545.9531 www.ewing1.com february 2014 slo xpress 11 state news continued… landscaping is erosion control. If the finished landscape is not done, stabilize exposed soil with straw, blankets, plastic sheeting etc. 5. Wind Erosion Control: use water or physical cover (blankets, etc) to prevent wind erosion. The local Air Quality Agency and the neighbor with a clean pool frown on such erosion. Contact the local agency for additional requirements. 6. Sediment Control: preventing erosion control is not always possible on an active site with exposed soil and so sediment control measures are used. Gravel bags, fiber rolls, silt fence, sediment ponds, are meant to remove sediment that has mixed with water. A common misconception is that these measures filter out sediment as water passes through the silt fence for example. While some amount of filtering may occur, all good filters clog and so these measures primarily are meant to work by ponding the water. Successful installation means building a water retaining structure. Heavier sediments, such as sand, settle out of the water. The longer water can stand still behind a straw roll, the better the chance that sediments will separate (via the process of settling) from the water with which it became mixed. 7. Non-stormwater: If it doesn’t rain and there is a discharge, it is a non-storm discharge. It is very common on construction sites to have significant amounts of runoff leaving new landscapes that are being over-watered by irrigation systems. Irrigation runoff should be eliminated; otherwise, it should be minimized and not allowed to pick up pollutants prior to discharging offsite (don’t put your pile of topsoil in the gutter flow line). 12 from page 11 8. Non-structural: a. Scheduling: avoid working on disturbed soils in the rain if you cannot prevent sedimentladen discharge from leaving the site. b. Protecting Existing Vegetation: limit the areas to be disturbed and protect the roots of heritage trees. Use fencing (orange) to protect Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA). c. Education: inform your field and office staff concerning stormwater issues. When the person answering your phone knows key words and concepts, your company image grows. Here are some other important guidelines for preventing pollution: 1. Locate and protect discharge points on the property (drain inlets, gutters flowing off site) and keep operations away from them or a keep buffer zone in case spills occur. Do not store soils, materials, etc. in the gutter where flows will carry off material. Avoid using leaf blowers to push debris into drain inlets. 2. Become knowledgeable in the proper selection and installation of products and materials for erosion and sediment control (ESC). Misunderstanding and misapplication is incredibly common and reflects poorly on the industry; the resulting pollutant discharges might be greater than having done nothing! 3. Don’t damage the BMPs others have installed. Use them where appropriate. Cement washouts are not a place to throw solid waste, including concrete rubble. 4. Use appropriate irrigation designs to reduce the potential for erosion and pollution runoff. 5. Follow all federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing the use, storage, and disposal of chemicals and training of applicators and pest control advisors: a. Follow manufacturers’ recommendations and label directions. b. Where practicable, use pesticides only if there is an actual pest control problem (not on a regular preventative schedule). When possible, use less-toxic chemicals that will get the job done in the minimum amount necessary. c. Never apply chemicals during or immediately before predicted rain or wind events, or anytime when wind exceeds 5 MPH. d. Do not mix or prepare chemicals for application near storm drains. e. Do not apply any chemicals directly to surface waters unless the application is approved and permitted by the state. Do not spray within 100 feet of open waters. BMPs. Be proactive, not reactive. Being compliant and making a difference doesn’t always mean spending dollars. Sometimes it’s just a matter of having pride in what we do. Disclaimer These guidelines are intended to provide a range of general information about stormwater quality best management practices (BMPs) and related issues faced by landscape contractors in California. Due to many regulations and site-specific issues, these guidelines will not address all matters of compliance. Landscape contractors must seek advice from a stormwater professional to determine the applicability of the information provided here for their specific needs. Users of these guidelines assume all liability directly or indirectly arising from using this information. Source: clca.org f. Apply methods to minimize off-target application (e.g. spray drift), including consideration of alternative application techniques. Water Related Websites g. Sweep pavement and sidewalks if chemicals are spilled. Do not hose spills down the gutter. City of Paso Robles Water www.prcity.com/government/ departments/publicworks/ water/index.asp h. Store all chemicals in closed, labeled containers and keep them off the ground. i. Properly dispose of used chemical containers. The Results Landscapers, as members of the Green Industry, likely have a special connection to the environment. As professionals, we’ll need to know about water quality laws, know how our operations might be a source of pollutants that migrate to the environment, manage our activities and employees and know about and how to use slo xpress C.I.M.I.S. www.cimis.water.ca.gov CA Dept. of Water Resources www.dwr.water.ca.gov Water Education Foundation www.water-ed.org Irrigation Association www.irrigation.org U.S. Bureau of Reclamation http://www.usbr.gov CA Urban Water Conservation Council www.cuwcc.org www.h2ouse.org CA Data Exchange Ctr. http://cdec.water.ca.gov february 2014 Industry News FX Luminaire Introduces Luxor Wireless Lighting Control Wi-Fi System Allows Users to Operate Landscape Lighting Using a Smartphone or Tablet F X Luminaire proudly announces the release of its new Luxor Wi-Fi system, offering wireless lighting control from a smartphone or tablet. Using the Luxor App and an available Wi-Fi signal, zoning and dimming can be controlled with iOS and Android devices for on-the-fly adjustments. “Luxor Wi-Fi gives users the ability to set their lighting levels as needed, right from their phone. For example, the lights can be initiated immediately when walking outside to have dinner or going to the pool, then dimmed to set a mood, then returned to the normal schedule later,” said James Helms, FX Luminaire product manager. “Luxor lighting extends the living space into the outdoors, but the new Wi-Fi capability makes it so much more flexible. Users can change and adjust lighting themes instantly, which is perfect for all types of entertaining occasions.” The Luxor Wi-Fi system consists of three parts: a Wi-Fi Module that links Luxor ZD controllers to iOS & Android smartphones and tablets using the Luxor Wi-Fi App, the Light Assignment Module (LAM) which allows smartphone or tablet group assignment of every fixture attached to a Luxor ZD system, and a new indoor facepack mount that allows the Luxor ZD facepack to be remotely mounted inside a home or garage. All three pieces of hardware FX Luminaire's Luxor Wireless System are available now from FX Luminaire. The new FX Luxor App is available in the iTunes store; the Android version will be available from Google Play by February 2014. About FX Luminaire and Hunter Industries the advancement of LED lighting technology and digital lighting control with zoning, dimming and color adjustment capabilities. FX Luminaire is a division of Hunter Industries, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of irrigation products. FX Luminaire is an industry-leading manufacturer of landscape and architectural lighting products with a focus on Landscape Contractor: EARTHSCAPES ™ Kevin Daugherty, Photographer 805-704-5461 www.redbootsstudios.com february 2014 slo xpress 13 January 2014 Obispo and- SLOEvents 17 CLCA all day San Luis CLCA-SLO Kick-off Event Programs Elks Lodge $75/members MONTH DAY TIME EVENT VENUE/LOCATION COST February 19 5:00pm CLCA-SLO Board Meeting Ewing - SLO FREE March 19 5:00pm CLCA-SLO Board Meeting Spyglass Inn - Pismo Beach FREE March 19 6:00pm Dinner Meeting - "Ready for Spring" Spyglass Inn - Pismo Beach $30 /RSVP April 16 5:00pm CLCA-SLO Board Meeting TBD - North County FREE May 21 5:00pm CLCA-SLO Board Meeting Ewing - SLO FREE June 1 all day CLCA-SLO "Family Fun Day!" TBD FREE June 18 5:00pm CLCA-SLO Board Meeting Ewing - SLO FREE June 20 6:30pm CLCA-SLO Beautification Awards Banquet Madonna Inn - SLO $50 July 16 5:00pm CLCA-SLO Board Meeting Ewing - SLO FREE August 20 5:00pm CLCA-SLO Board Meeting Spyglass Inn - Pismo Beach FREE August 20 6:00pm Dinner Meeting - Chapter Elections Spyglass Inn - Pismo Beach $30 /RSVP August 25 all day Community Project - Wounded Warrior Garden TBD N/A September 17 5:00pm CLCA-SLO Board Meeting/Planning Session Ewing - SLO FREE October 3 all day 13th Annual CLCA-SLO Benefit Golf Tournament TBD TBD October 15 5:00pm CLCA-SLO Board Meeting/2014 Budget Ewing - SLO FREE November 19 5:00pm CLCA-SLO Board Meeting North County - TBD FREE Advertise Your Company on CLCASLO.ORG! Opportunities for suppliers, landscape contractors, designers and architects! Contact Kevin by phone or email for more information: 805-704-5461 or [email protected] 14 slo xpress february 2014 2014 SLOXPRESS Advertising Rates The San Luis Obispo SLO Xpress is published eleven times a year for the San Luis Obispo Chapter of the California Landscape Contractors Association (SLO CLCA). Address: SLO Xpress, C/O Red Boots Studios, P.O Box 6970, Los Osos, CA 93412-6970. Phone: 805-704-5461. News releases, public service announcements, photos and other correspondence may be directed to the above address or by e-mail to [email protected]. Copy and advertising deadlines are on the 15th of the month preceding publication. For information about advertising and rates, contact Kevin Daugherty at 805-704-5461. The opinions expressed in byline articles do not necessarily reflect the views of the San Luis Obispo Chapter or the publisher. february 2014 slo xpress 1/8 page (3-5/8" x 2 1/8") members $275/annual; $23.18/issue non-members $302.50/annual; $27.50/issue 1/4 page vertical (3-5/8" x 4-5/8") members $475/annual; $43.18/issue non-members $522.50/annual; $47.50/issue 1/2 page horizontal (7-1/2" x 4-5/8") members $605/annual; $55/issue non-members $665.50/annual; $60.50/issue 1/2 page vertical (3-5/8" x 9-5/8") members $605/annual; $55/issue non-members $665.50/annual; $60.50/issue Full page (7-1/2" x 9-5/8") members $880/annual; $80/issue non-members $968/annual; $88/issue Full One-Page Inserts (supplied by advertiser and all copies trimmed to fit 11" x 8.25") members $143/issue non-members $157/issue Interested in placing an ad? Contact Kevin Daugherty at 805-704-5461. 15 Red Boots Studios P.O. Box 6970 Los Osos CA 93412-6970 PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID SAN LUIS OBISPO CA PERMIT NO. 66 Return Service Requested Place Label Here The Official Newsletter of the CLCA San Luis Obispo Chapter TM TM Santa Barbara Stone & Masonry, Inc. Jim Osweiler 27 North Nopal St, P.O. Box 4809, Santa Barbara, CA 93140-4809 Phone (805) 963-5891 FAX (805) 962-7993 Email [email protected] Wholesale Redwood • Fir • Cedar bark • Soil Amendments Erro-Control Straw Playground Fiber STEVEN L. ROSSI VICE PRESIDENT RES. (805) 466-6195 PHONE (805) 434-2884 (800) 321-3092 • FAX (805) 434-0877 P.O. BOX 120 • ROSSI ROAD TEMPLETON, CA 93465
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