[PCA] FW: Draft green building code contains requirements regarding native & invasive plants: Comments due May 14

[Randall, John L]

I agree with Steve that native plants should not be required, but it should be pointed out that if, for example, Lepidopteran host plants are desired, then natives are necessary...  There are also, of course, other benefits of natives....

Perhaps it would be possible to include language "requiring" that any non-natives not be listed as invasive by the particular state Exotic Pest Plant/Invasive Species Council, Native Plant Society, or whatever group manages the state invasive plant list.

Johnny

From: native-plants-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org [mailto:native-plants-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org] On Behalf Of Grund, Steve
Sent: Monday, May 10, 2010 1:50 PM
To: 'native-plants at lists.plantconservation.org'
Subject: [PCA] FW: Draft green building code contains requirements regarding native & invasive plants: Comments due May 14

I do not think the use of native plants should be a requirement for a green building code, but it would be prudent to have high standards for avoiding the use of invasives. I don't think we need to tell people that they shouldn't plant tulips. It would be good to be able to distinguish between species like Crocus vernus, which has a long track record and, as far as I know (the situation may be different in warmer climates) is not invasive, and species like Pennisetum alopecuroides, which has cultivars that are turning out to be more invasive than previously reported (we have been battling cv. hamlin at our headquarters in Pittsburgh, as I have previously reported on the Mid-Atlantic EPPC listserve).

It would be good to have a protocol for testing taxa that are relatively new to horticulture before they are considered to be of low risk for invasiveness. I doubt we can prevent the sale of unproven taxa, but we can alert conscientious consumers. As individuals, people might want to cautiously try some of the newcomers and report on their behavior, but for plantings around green buildings, they should not be used unless as part of a testing procedure with good safeguards, in my somewhat humble opinion.

Does anyone know of a reliable source that ranks species, like maybe Fagus sylvatica for instance, for which we can be confident are NOT invasive? - Steve



Steve Grund
Botanist
Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
800 Waterfront Dr
Pittsburgh, PA  15222
412-586-2350

________________________________
From: native-plants-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org [mailto:native-plants-bounces at lists.plantconservation.org] On Behalf Of SUSAN MCLAUGHLIN
Sent: Sunday, May 09, 2010 8:58 AM
To: vnps-pot at yahoogroups.com; native-plants at lists.plantconservation.org; announcements at chesapeakenetwork.org
Subject: [PCA] Draft green building code contains requirements regarding native & invasive plants: Comments due May 14

The International Code Council (ICC), the principal publisher of building safety codes  in the U.S., is seeking public comment on their draft International Green Construction Code (IGCC).

IGCC is written in code language and is intended to be used in conjunction with jurisdictions' existing building codes.  IGCC sponsors include ICC; the American Institute of Architects (AIA); the US Green Building Council; the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE); ASTM International; and the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES).

Comments on the current version of the code (Public Version 1.0) are due Friday, May 14.

The draft code includes a number of requirements that pertain to the selection of plants and management of invasive plant species.  Each of these requirements are in Chapter 4,  "Site Development and Land Use."  Specifically, see Sections 402.3.1.3 (under "Predesign site inventory and assessment"),  402.3.3.1.1.3 (under "Potable water"), 402.3.5.6 ("Invasive species"), and 404.2.3 (Heat Island Mitigation/ Shade by trees).

Additionally, Chapter 2 contains a definition for "Invasive Plant Species.".

Some things to consider when reviewing and commenting on the code:

-- Is the definition for "Invasive Plant Species" correct?  As written, will it be effective in preventing the planting, and encouraging the removal, of invasive plant species on building sites in all the regions of the U.S.?
-- Is the establishment phase for water use too long?  Too short?
-- For shading to achieve heat island mitigation goals, the tree canopy is to be measured at five-year canopy growth.  Does this requirement have any implications for the selection of trees?  Would a sufficient variety of native trees achieve the required canopy layer in 5 years?
-- With the exception of trees chosen to meet the heat island mitigation requirements, IGCC does not require planting of native plants at a site.  Should it?  If so, should it require that ALL plants be native, or should there be a minimum percentage, e.g., require that at least 60% of new plantings be native?
-- The term "native species" is not used in the document.  Rather, the document refers to trees "that are native to the region and climate zone in which the project site is located."  Should the document use more specific terminology?  If so, what terms or definitions should be included?

The draft code and information on the comment process are are available at http://www.iccsafe.org/cs/IGCC/Pages/default.aspx .



Susan McLaughlin Gitlin
Green Building Program
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Washington, D.C.
202-566-9760
work e-mail:  gitlin.susan at epa.gov
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