BEsT MANAGEMENT PRACTICEs HANDbooK - Tahoe BMP

Keep your property lean, clean,and green. Request a firedefensible space evaluationfrom your local fire protectiondistrict and visitwww.livingwithfire.info/tahoe.EXISTING VEGETATIONIdentify existing vegetation including native and adapted species, noxious andinvasive species, and uncommon or sensitive species. Native and adaptedspecies should be protected from site disturbance and may be a good referencewhen revegetating other areas of the property. Invasive species should beproperly removed and disposed of. Refer to the Lake Tahoe Basin WeedCoordinating Group website, www.tahoeinvasiveweeds.org, for moreinformation on invasive weeds. Uncommon or sensitive species have specialprotection and should be protected from any site disturbance. TRPA requiresthe preservation and management of vegetation of significant scenic,recreational, educational, scientific, or natural values of the Lake TahoeRegion, and for management of vegetation to prevent the spread of wildfires.For example, riparian or wetland species within the project area boundariesshall be protected and preserved by fencing off the individual population orhabitat and restricting access to the areas. Vegetation cover influences rainfallrunoffcharacteristics and annual water balance. 25 Identify vegetated areas thatmay be optimal for stormwater infiltration.Fire Defensible Space: Identify combustible materials within 5 feet of anystructure, any dead vegetation on-site, and accumulation of pine needles so theycan be managed according to Fire Defensible Space requirements as specified inChapter 5 – Soil and Vegetation Management, Section 5.3.2.5 – Fire DefensibleSpace.ON-SITE POLLUTANTSIdentify all pollutants, pollutant sources, and pollutant transport processes.Runoff water from impervious surfaces shall meet TRPA discharge standardsprior to discharge to groundwater or surface water. Depending on the type andamount of pollutant, the water may meet discharge standards throughinfiltration alone as the water is cleansed as it moves through the soil profile.Treatment prior to infiltration may be required depending on the type andamount of pollutant(s). Refer to Introduction Chapter, Table I-1: PollutantsCommonly Found in Urban Runoff for more information on identifyingprimary pollutants of concern, their sources and potential impacts to waterquality. Good housekeeping practices such as proper storage and handling ofmaterials and proper irrigation may help to reduce or eliminate pollutantsources.Soils may be contaminated due to existing or previous uses such as a leaky gastank or hazardous waste spill not properly cleaned up. Identify the presence ofsoil contamination. Contaminated soil shall be removed and properly disposedof. Infiltration systems shall not be installed within the vicinity of acontaminated soil because it may facilitate the migration of the contaminationinto groundwater or surface water. Cleanup and abatement of contaminatedsoils require a permit from the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control25SWQIC, 2004, Formulating and Evaluating Alternatives, Appendix A-3 Table A3.8,http://www.trpa.org/documents/Final_FEA.pdfCHAPTER 2: Site AnalysisTRPA BMP HandbookPage 2-24 2012