How Low Impact Development Can Save Builders Money

Construction equipment rental and repair company H&E Equipment Services has opened its 79th branch in Loveland, Colo., which is near Fort Collins. The 15,295-square-foot facility plans to provide service not only to customers in northern Colorado, but also southeastern Wyoming and western Nebraska with an eight-bay repair area and a parts warehouse. New and used equipment sales and mobile repair services will also be offered.
https://tinyurl.com/y7genl2c

Irrigation Controller Recycling Program Expanded

After a 6-month pilot program, during which more than 400 pounds of irrigation controllers were collected for recycling, Blue Star Recyclers has expanded the program to all Ewing Irrigation & Landscape Supply locations to encourage contractors to help reduce the number of old controllers that end up in landfills. Blue Star recycles electronics and other materials, while creating jobs for people with autism spectrum disorder or physical limitations, which not only provides these people with meaningful employment, it reduces their dependence on taxpayer funded benefits according to the company's CEO, Bill Morris. The program is also sponsored by Rachio.
https://www.ewingirrigation.com/locations

Deadline Approaching to Apply to E3 Program

September 15 is the deadline for applications for the Irrigation Foundation's E3 program, which grants students and industry instructors education and travel awards for the 2017 Irrigation Show and Education Conference in Orlando, Florida, Nov. 6 – 10. Each winner will participate in education classes, industry sessions and networking events. For more program details and information about the application, visit https://tinyurl.com/yc5snyn3

New Irrigation Requirements to the Green Building Code

Changes to the International Green Construction Code, which has been put into use by certain jurisdictions, and also complements voluntary rating systems, will affect the design and installation of irrigation systems:

• For most landscape areas, a maximum of one-third of the landscape can use potable water for irrigation (there are exclusions for schools, residential common areas and public recreational facilities).
• Potable water can be used temporarily for landscape establishment.
• The water for golf courses and driving ranges shall only use municipally reclaimed water or alternate on-site sources of water for irrigation.
• Weather-based irrigation controllers are required to control irrigation.
• No sprinklers on landscape areas less than 4 feet in any dimension.
• On slopes greater than 25 percent, the maximum precipitation rate is 0.75 inches per hour.
• Drip systems shall be equipped with pressure regulators, filters and flush assemblies, as well as an indicator to confirm operation by visual inspection.
• Other significant changes include the use of master valves, flow sensors, pressure regulation, check valves to prevent low-head drainage, and new requirements to post-scheduling information at the controller.

Less Jurisdiction Proposed for Federal Management of Waterwayse

The EPA and Army Corps of Engineers recently released a proposal to repeal the Clean Water Rule, also known as the Waters of the United States rule, or WOTUS, which would return it to its pre-2015 status, giving the federal government less say in defining what waterways they can control. Opponents to the updated rule argued that increased regulations would encumber operations and increase costs of certain businesses, including those in the water management, erosion control and pesticide application industries. Let LC/DBM know how you feel on this matter: mdahl@landscapearchitect.com or 714-979-5276 ext. 124.