1. Cedar Grove Landscape & Construction Services http://www.cedar-grove.com/services.asp Specifying Compost and Soils for BMP T5.13 Soil Quality and Depth, Bioretention Soil Mixes, Green Roofs and other applications A Dual Perspective Howard Stenn Sustainable Business Development Howard Stenn Specification Writer

2. CODRS Contractors Often Don’t Read Specs CDRS.

3. KISS Keep It Short and Simple New Cedar Grove T5.13 Spec Keep It Simpler:  Specify just one option Original BMP T5.13 Spec (partial)

4. Keep The Details Simple And Get What You Want on the Job Use Regulatory Standards to keep spec concise and ensure quality ‘Compost’ per WAC 173-350-220:  Meets standards for heavy metals, human pathogens, physical contaminants.  Shows facility complies with environmental & health regulations.  Can exclude ‘Type IV Feedstocks’ (mixed wastes) Specify ‘Approved’ Products – or ‘Equivalent’  Define ‘Equivalent’ with tests /parameters that make it difficult to substitute low-quality product Use Industry Quality Standards…  US Compost Council ‘STA’ includes standards for pH, salinity, plant germination, stability, organic matter content, particle size distribution. Be Specific About Topsoil  Define “sandy loam” per USDA (for sensitive uses)  If you want clean loam, specify sand (at least on top lift)  Use appropriate specs. PGA greens standards not required for most lawns.

5. Using “Custom Calculated” Amendment Rate can save lots of $$$  King County Compost and Topsoil Calculator uses the the standard method developed for WDOE. http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/compost_calculator.htm http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/compost_calculator.htm  Uses tests of % organic content & dry weight of soil & compost  Soils for Salmon website calculator allows more variables http://www.soilsforsalmon.org/excel/Compost_Calculator.xls

6. Provide a Simple Summary on Plans  Put essential soil specs on plan NOTES sheet, details in specs.  Put NOTES in front of plan set, to be sure.

7. MSSAAE Make Sure Specs Are Achievable & Effective  Specify either mix characteristics OR performance standards, not both. Soil properties are not as predictable as other construction materials.  Use commonly accepted standards to save time, money and frustration. Novel specifications result in onerous testing requirements and expensive mixes. Make sure they are justified.

8. Specifying Green Roof Soils Several mixes and specifications, but no standards yet. Several mixes and specifications, but no standards yet. Cedar Grove has popular Green Roof and “Rooftop / Lightweight” mixs that can be specified by name, but the mix is proprietary. Cedar Grove has popular Green Roof and “Rooftop / Lightweight” mixs that can be specified by name, but the mix is proprietary. HINT: There’s not a lot of compost in them HINT: There’s not a lot of compost in them

9. Maple Valley Facility Everett Facility Cedar Grove Landscape & Construction Services http://www.cedar-grove.com/services.asp Standard Mixes & Specifications for: Topsoil Blends meeting BMP T5.13 for Turf & Planting Beds Bioretention Mix meeting WSU-SPU spec Rain Garden Mix for small projects Green Roof & Lightweight / Rooftop Mixes Compost-based erosion & sediment controls: Filter Socks and Berms, Erosion Control Blankets, Living Walls. Recycling Services Fill soils export & import Land clearing and clean wood Planning & Compliance Assistance