Watershed
Inventory

• Whenever possible, use mechanical methods of vegetation removal rather than applying herbicides.
• Avoid loosening the soil when conducting weed control. Use mulch or erosion-control measures when soil is exposed.
• Do not mow if significant rain is expected.
• Collect lawn and garden clippings and compost them or dispose of them at a landfill.
• Cover temporarily stockpiled material and place it away from creeks.

• Choose native vegetation, which usually requires less maintenance.
• Consider using low water use groundcovers.

• Compost or properly dispose of green waste. Dumping green waste into creeks or storm drains is illegal.
• Reduce the use of high nitrogen fertilizers, which produce excess growth, requiring more frequent mowing or trimming.
• Avoid leaving landscaping wastes in and around storm drain inlets by using bagging equipment or manually picking up the material.

• Use automatic timers to minimize runoff.
• Consider the use of mechanisms that reduce water flow to sprinkler heads if the heads are broken.
• Ensure that there is no runoff from landscaped areas that are watered with re-claimed water.
• Irrigate slowly or pulse irrigate to prevent runoff and then only irrigate as much as needed.
• Apply water at rates below the infiltration rate of the soil.
• Inspect irrigation systems regularly to ensure that the correct amount of water is being applied and that runoff is not occurring.

• Use pesticides only if there is an actual pest problem, not as a preventative measure.
• When possible, use physical controls rather than chemical pesticides. Hand-picking, traps, barriers, or a strong jet of water can rid an area of many pests, especially in the early stages of infestation.
• When chemical controls are necessary, ask your pesticide supplier about less toxic alternatives. Information on less toxic alternatives can be found at the Our Water - Our World website.
• Do not use pesticides if rain is expected.
• Do not mix or prepare pesticides for application near storm drains.
• Prepare the minimum amount of pesticide required for a job and apply at the lowest rate that will effectively control the pest.
• Store pesticides and application equipment in covered areas.
• Dispose of pesticides and empty containers as hazardous waste. Call the Community Hazardous Waste Collection Center at (805) 882-3602.
• Educate your employees about the proper handling of pesticides.
• Work fertilizers into the soil rather than dumping them on the surface.
• Sweep up fertilizers spilled on pavement or sidewalks before applying irrigation water.