Green & Clean Initiative

Green & Clean Initiative Participant Terms and Conditions

Purpose: Participants in the Green & Clean initiative will follow the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s recommendations to protect and improve water quality in the commonwealth of Virginia.

Nitrogen and phosphorus inputs from developed Virginia communities are contributing to nonpoint source pollution of waters in Virginia and the Chesapeake Bay. Proper management of fertilizers applied to residential lawns and other landscapes helps to prevent pollution and protects water quality.

Green & Clean initiative participants believe that lawns and other grounds should be maintained in an environmentally responsible manner and agree to the following terms and conditions:

Fertilizer Application
1. Fertilizers will be applied according to the stipulations set forth by the Virginia Nutrient Management Standards and Criteria established by DCR in the Virginia Administrative Code §4 VAC 50-85 et. seq. These stipulations include, but are not limited to:
  - Do not apply fertilizers to frozen ground or non-actively growing turfgrass.
  - Soil test and follow recommendations for phosphorus and potassium applications.
  - Do not apply more that (0.7) pounds of water soluble nitrogen per 1,000 ft² within a 30-day period. When using a 15% or greater slow-release product, do not apply more than (0.9) pound of nitrogen per 1,000 ft² within a 30-day period to cool season turfgrass. When using a 15% or greater slow release product, do not apply more than (1.0) pound of nitrogen per 1,000 ft² within a thirty day period to warm season turfgrass.
  - Do not apply more than (3.5) pounds per 1,000 ft² of water-soluble nitrogen to cool season turfgrass per year.
  - Do not apply more than (4) pounds per 1,000 ft² of water-soluble nitrogen to warm-season turfgrass per year.
Reporting
1. The following information is needed for enrollment/renewal in the Green & Clean initiative.
  - The participating company name and contact information. The participating company is responsible for informing DCR of changes to contact information during the agreement period.
  - The total acreage by jurisdiction (county or city) that is managed by the participating company according to the stipulations set forth by the Virginia Nutrient Management Standards and Criteria. This information should also be reported to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services annually.
Assessment
1. The purpose of assessment is to ensure that DCR can continue to count Green & Clean initiative acreage toward the state’s Watershed Implementation Plan acreage goals. DCR must perform an annual assessment on at least 10% of agreement participants to ensure they are implementing the recommendations stipulated by the Virginia Nutrient Management Standards and Criteria.
2. Participants will be randomly selected for annual assessment after the renewal deadline. Participants will be contacted by DCR to set up a meeting for an assessment during the agreement period.
3. The following information should be kept as records and made available to DCR during an assessment:
  - The application rate, fertilizer analysis (including percent slow release), applicator calibration frequency, soil testing for phosphorus applications and amount of nitrogen applied per application in typical fertilization programs offered by the participating company.
General Recommendations and Maintenance Practices
1. Lime should be recommended based on a soil test to maintain pH within an agronomic range for turfgrass. Maintaining proper pH allows nutrients in the soil to be available to the plant for uptake.
2. Recycling of clippings on turfgrass should be encouraged as an effective means of recycling nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Proper mowing practices that ensure no more than 1/3 of the leaf blade is removed in any cutting event will enhance turfgrass appearance and performance when clippings are returned. Return all leaf clippings from mowing events to the turfgrass rather than discharging them onto sidewalks or streets. Rotary mulching mowers can further enhance clipping recycling by reducing the size of clippings being returned to the turfgrass canopy.
3. If clippings are collected, they should be disposed of properly. They may be composted or spread uniformly as a thin layer over other turf areas where the nutrient content of the clippings can be recycled through actively growing plants. They should not be blown onto impervious surfaces or surface waters, dumped down stormwater drains, or piled outside where rainwater will leach out the nutrients creating the potential for nutrient loss to the environment.
4. Do not apply fertilizers to impervious surfaces (sidewalks, streets, etc.). Remove any granular materials that land on impervious surfaces by sweeping and collecting, and either put the collected materials back in the back, or spread it onto the turfgrass and/or using a leaf blower, etc. to return the fertilizer back to the turfgrass canopy. Also, refrain from using fertilizers as ice melt.
5. Educate homeowners to maintain and care for their properties in an environmentally safe manner. Your company may be on their property once a week during the growing season, but what are they doing when you aren’t there? Make your services more valuable to the client by helping them understand how and why you manage their property in an environmentally friendly manner.

This agreement is valid through December 31, of the year it is issued, unless canceled by either party by written notification of the other party.

Printable version of the terms and conditions
I agree to the terms and conditions

Company Name
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Company Phone Number
Address
City
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GCI Contact Name
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County or City	Area	Units

Please enter the annual amount of acreage fertilized by your company. Itemize this acreage by each county served.

Green & Clean Initiative Participant Terms and Conditions

Typical Nitrogen Fertility Program:

Alternate Nitrogen Fertility Program (click here if applicable)

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