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Operations and Maintenance <br /> Continued <br /> F. Policyon the Use of Chemicals for MaintainingSustainable <br /> and Conventional Landscapes <br /> As the attitude toward greater For example,let us compare a native When installing sustainable native <br /> environmental/e c o l o g i c al prairie grass and fort planting to a plantings,performance goals must be <br /> stewardship of parks and open sod installation.On nearly every level, set. If a sustainable installation fails, <br /> spaces has gained momentum in the the native planting is a superior choice. for whatever reason,it can set a bad <br /> city in recent years, greater concern The native planting will cost less to precedent for any future attempts. <br /> has arisen as to the use of chemicals maintain and install.In addition,native There is always an argument to be <br /> as part of the management of plantings consume less water, retain made asto what is best aesthetically, <br /> natural areas, turf grasses, woody and filter more runoff, shelter more and after a failure,that argument will <br /> vegetation,and lakes and creeks. wildlife, and are historically more be made.If all else fails,the one point <br /> appropriate for most applications in it is difficult to argue is the bottom <br /> Even naturalized or sustainable Ramsey. line. <br /> restoration, installation, and <br /> management projects can benefit However, there are people that When installing conventional <br /> from the careful use of specific like sod, enjoy mowing a lawn, and landscaping and sod, performance <br /> chemicals to achieve management are willing to pay extra dollars for it. goals must also be met. Costs <br /> objectives.So do the positive aspects The choice is a matter of aesthetics associated with these installations <br /> of chemical use outweigh the and personal choice. It would be such as fertilizers, pesticides, <br /> negative aspects? Sustainable native difficult to argue a native grass herbicides and irrigation will be <br /> landscape treatments are often planting on the 8th green at Ramsey's required to keep the installation <br /> scrutinized when they are compared finest golf course,but native plantings looking good. The maintenance <br /> to conventional landscaping or sod should be used whenever possible. variable assigned to any new or <br /> installations. existing installation should factored <br /> into the expected performance goals. <br /> In order to regulate what chemicals are being used, and how they are being <br /> used, the following points should be considered: <br /> • Listing of accepted chemicals,including the rationale behind their use, <br /> specific application rates,and their cost. <br /> • Training/certification must be provided so that chemical agents can <br /> be used safely and cost effectively. <br /> • Authorization and accountability procedure to ensure compliance with <br /> application rules. <br /> ISSUED ML <br /> 12004 <br />