Minutes - Environmental Policy Board - 10/05/2009

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Board Member Enstrom stated that he would prefer to just throw out all numbers and simply use a beaker to mix soil and water and let it settle out. This would provide an easy way to determine the volume of sand and clay. Chairperson Max stated that he thought some sort of criteria is needed. He inquired of Board Member Enstrom if a high clay low organic matter type of soil would accomplish water conservation similar. Board Member Enstrom stated that there are multiple ways to accomplish water conservation, through high organic matter, or high clay. The main factor is limiting sand content as it is sand that has no water holding capacity. Councilmember Wise inquired if the ordinance requires tilling in the topsoil. Environmental Coordinator Anderson stated that while that is probably ideal, it would make the inspection very difficult and so tilling is not required. Chairperson Max asked if topsoil over time eventually works its way down, sort oflike naturally tilling itself in. . Board Member Enstrom stated that over time, yes it probably does through various processes including earthworms and microbial activity. Discussion ensued about how the topsoil specification could be simplified. Would it make more sense to just limit the overall sand content if clays and organic matter both retain moisture. If organic matter is really the goal, what about just requiring a minimum organic matter content and leaving the other numbers out of the specification altogether. Environmental Coordinator Anderson stated that while sand may not have any water retention capabilities, it is certainly necessary for soil structure and good drainage, which is very important for establishing many types of vegetation. Board Member Enstrom encouraged everyone to drive by a project that his company recently completed off of Baugh 81. They applied three tons of lime to a six acre field along with fertilizer and within one weeks' time, turf was beginning to get established. Case #1: Update on Water Conservation Tool Box Board Member Enstrom was asked to provide some examples as to how the edits to the growing grass section made it inaccurate. Board Member Enstrom stated that i~ the first paragraph, language was deleted that stated that the topsoil should be spread from the curb to the house. Chairperson Max stated that the language found in the paragraph now still states that topsoil should be spread across the sandy soil, which implies that all areas, including those by the curb . and the house, should be covered with topsoil. Environmental Policy Board / October 5, 2009 Page 3 of5