By signing the end of this outdoor IPM plan, the IPM coordinator, Edward  Roberts, of this School and the Pest Management Professionals described above acknowledge, and agree to the terms of this OUTDOOR integrated pest management plan.

A. INTRODUCTION

In compliance with the Act Protecting Children and Families from Harmful Pesticides the Merrimack Special Education Collaborative on 4/13/2006 2:22:00 PM has prepared the following outdoor IPM plan about pest control and pesticide use.

This plan describes the pest management practices for outdoor areas of Merrimack Special Education Collaborative and clearly states it’s pesticide use policies.

A copy of the plan has been filed with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR), and at least one printed copy must be kept on site and made available to the public upon request.

By centralizing all of the information about this facility’s pest management practices the plan serves as a guide to direct this facility’s IPM coordinator,  Edward  Roberts

Objectives
The objectives of the integrated pest management program conducted at the Merrimack Special Education Collaborative are listed below.

	Reduce children’s exposure to pesticides and pesticide residues whenever possible.
	Manage pests that may occur on facilities to prevent interference with the learning environment of the students.
	Provide the safest playing or athletic surfaces possible.

In light of these objectives, the Merrimack Special Education Collaborative has selected the following as it’s IPM policy statement.

B.POLICY STATEMENT

It is the policy of this school to implement Integrated Pest Management procedures to control structural and landscape pests and minimize exposure of children, faculty, and staff to pesticides.

C. IPM COMMITTEE

The tasks set before an IPM committee are to:

	Develop an IPM plan. The IPM plan is in essence, a document that describes the organization and implementation of IPM on school grounds.
	Evaluate progress of the IPM program.
	Communicate about IPM - Facilitate communication within the school about IPM practices.
	Assist in development of contract specifications.
	Provide notification to parents about pesticide use.

The OUTDOOR committee members selected for the Merrimack Special Education Collaborative are listed below:
1) Edward  Roberts (Outdoor IPM Coordinator)
2) Thomas Guinta
3) Carl Nystrom

D. COMMUNICATING IPM WITHIN THE FACILITY

Pest Management Personnel to Building Staff:


The Pest Management Professional communicates with the IPM coordinator of the facility. The IPM coordinator then posts this information in a common viewing area dedicated to the subject of integrated pest management.

Staff/Students communicate with their supervisors who then pass information onto the IPM coordinator.

E. EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF FACILITY OCCUPANTS & STAFF

Ed Roberts will provide Program Directors and Managers with training regarding pest reporting procedures and pest prevention strategies annually at a leadership meeting.

F. OUTDOOR MONITORING

The IPM plan will follow a Annually evaluation schedule. When pests are present, Merrimack Special Education Collaborative has chosen an OUTDOOR monitoring schedule that consists of Weekly inspections. When pests are absent the OUTDOOR monitoring schedule will consist of Monthly inspections.

The following technique will be used to monitor for pests:  The facility’s contracted Pest Management Professional would conduct regular pest inspections and would then instruct the IPM coordinator as to the proper course of action.

G. COURSE OF ACTION TAKEN FOR OUTDOOR PESTS

Outdoor property includes the turf, landscaping, and the outdoor grounds such as building exterior, playground equipment, etc..  Merrimack Special Education Collaborative has prepared maps of the outdoor facility and identified the following priority areas for maintenance:

Turf
The grounds around the buildings is inspected regularly to fill holes and entry ways where pests may enter the building.

Landscaping
Basic landscaping, cut grass when it needs it.

OutdoorGrounds
The grassy area around our 114 Turnpike Road facility.



The following pests have historically and/or currently been a problem at Merrimack Special Education Collaborative:



TURF PESTS		LANDSCAPING AND PLANT PESTS		OUTDOOR GROUNDS PESTS
Insects/pests under the soil or root zone     Grubs (Japanese Beetles, European Chafer, Asiatic Garden Beetles, Oriental Beetles, and other) Weeds     Crabgrass Other		Weeds     Crabgrass Other     None		Other     We have not experienced difficulty with outdoor pests.     We do not have playgroud facilities.     No noxious weeds have been present.




TURF MANAGEMENT PLAN

The following areas are priority areas for maintenance: The grounds around the buildings is inspected regularly to fill holes and entry ways where pests may enter the building.

Cultural Practices

Mowing:
The grass is mowed to the height of 2.5 inches. Clippings are bagged and disposed of. Mower blades are sharpened monthly.

Aeration:
Soil is aerated annually at each building site.

Water Management:
Grass is only watered at our 114 Turnpike Road and watering is on an automated watering system in accordance with the Chelmsford watering schedule/ban.

Fertilization:
Crabgrass preventer is applied in April. Fertilizer with weed control is applied in the end of May. Grub control is applied in the beginning of June. Turf builder fertilizer is applied in July. Fertilizer with insect control is applied in the beginning of August. Winterizer fertilizer is applied in October. All fertilizers are applied according to manufacturer instructions.

Equipment Maintenance:
Equipment is maintained and cleaned by the contractor.



Turfgrass diseases


Describe the monitoring technique you used for the pests above.


Provide information on how you diagnosed the pests above.


Provide details on the non-chemical control measures have you taken to manage the pests above.


Describe any alternative management or biological strategies being used or planned to be used, if any.


If you use fungicides, describe your rationale for using them for the pests above.


Insects/pests under the soil or root zone
Grubs (Japanese Beetles, European Chafer, Asiatic Garden Beetles, Oriental Beetles, and other)


Surface and/or thatch pests


Describe the monitoring technique you used for the pests above.
The existance of grubs is monitored by MEC's landscape contractor and is reported to Thomas Guinta.

Provide information on how you identified the species of pests above.
The pest indicated above were reported to MEC staff by our landscape contractor.

Provide details on the non-chemical control measures have you taken to manage the pests above.
None

Describe any alternative management or biological strategies being used or planned to be used, if any.
None

If you use insecticides, describe your rationale for using them for the pests above.
Not applicable

Weeds
Crabgrass


Describe the monitoring technique you used for the pests above.
Not applicable

Provide information on how you identified the species of pests above.
Not applicable

Provide details on the non-chemical control measures have you taken to manage the pests above.
Not applicable

Describe any alternative management or biological strategies being used or planned to be used, if any.
Not applicable

If you use herbicides, describe your rationale for using them for the pests above.
Not applicable



LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT PLAN

The following areas are priority areas for maintenance: Basic landscaping, cut grass when it needs it.

Cultural Practices

Monitoring Program:
Not applicable

Soil Maintenance:
Not applicable

Fertilizer Use Practices:
At the Turnpike Road facility,Scott's 4 step program applied according to manufacturer specifications. Crabgrass preventer is applied in April. Fertilizer with weed control is applied in the end of May. Grub control is applied in the beginning of June. Turf building fertilizer is applied in July.

Plant Care:
Plant beds are mulched and shrubs are pruned on an annual basis.

Watering:
Grass is only watered at our 114 Turnpike Road facility which is on an automated watering system in accordance with the Chelmsford watering schedule/ban.



Tree and Shrub Diseases


Describe the monitoring technique you used for the pests above.
Not applicable.

Provide information on how you diagnosed the pests above.
Not applicable.

Provide details on the non-chemical control measures have you taken to manage the pests above.
Not applicable.

Describe or identify any alternative management or biological strategies being used or planned to be used
Not applicable.

If you use fungicides, describe your rationale for using them in for the pests above.
Not applicable.

Pesticide Product Name	Active Ingredient	EPA Registration Number	Target Pest	Rationale for use
n/a




Insects and Related Pests


Describe the monitoring technique you used for the pests above.
Pests are monitored by MEC's landscape contractor and is reported to Thomas Guinta.

Provide information on how you identified the species of the pests above.
The pests indicated above were reported to MEC staff by our landscape contractor.

Provide details on the non-chemical control measures you have taken to manage the pests above.
None

If you use insecticides, describe your rationale for using them for the pests above.
None

Describe or identify any alternative management or biological strategies being used or planned to be used
Not applicable

Weeds
Crabgrass


Describe the monitoring technique you used for the pests above.
We do not monitor for issues with weeds.

Provide information on how you identified the species of the pests above.
No species were identified.

Provide details on the non-chemical control measures have you taken to manage the pests above.
Not applicable.

If you use herbicides, describe your rationale for using them for the pests above.
Not applicable.

Describe or identify any alternative management or biological strategies being used or planned to be used
Not applicable.

Pesticide Product Name	Active Ingredient	EPA Registration Number	Target Pest	Rationale for use
n/a






OUTDOOR MANAGEMENT PLAN

The following areas are priority areas for maintenance: The grassy area around our 114 Turnpike Road facility.

Cultural Practices

OUTDOOR GROUNDS GENERAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

Waste Disposal (trash containers and dumpsters):
Maintenance staff power washes the area surrounding the containers. The waste managment company maintains the containers. Containers at 84 Brick Kiln Road are emptied weekly. Containers at all other facilities are emptied every other week.

Light Management:
Does not appear to be a problem. At the present time, outside lighting is minimal, but sufficient to maintain safety. Lights come on at dusk and go off at dawn.

Excess Water Prevention:
Drainage at buildings is sufficient to prevent any stagnant water.

Noxious Weed Management:
Noxious weeds are not apparent at any of our locations.

Playgrounds (if applicable):
There are no playgrounds on any of our properties.

Nuisance weeds in pavement:
We have very few problems with weeds in our paved areas. Maintenance staff pull weeds in any paved areas when necessary.

Storage Sheds (If applicable):
The same measures are taken for storage areas that are taken for our regular building facilities.



Insects observed in and around outdoor grounds of school property.


Pests


Insects in playground area (if applicable)


Describe the monitoring technique you used for the pests above.
Maintenance staff monitor the grounds for unwanted pests.

Provide information on how you identified the species of the pests above.
None were identified.

Provide details on the non-chemical control measures you have taken to manage the pests above.
Not applicable.

If you use insecticides, describe your rationale for using them for the pests above.
None are used.

Pesticide Product Name	Active Ingredient	EPA Registration Number	Target Pest	Rationale for use
n/a




Weeds
Noxious weeds noticed on the school grounds


Describe the monitoring technique you used for the pests above.
Maintenance staff monitors for weeds.

Provide information on how you identified the species of the pests above.
Through the monitoring process.

Provide details on the non-chemical control measures have you taken to manage the pests above.
None are used.

If you use herbicides, describe your rationale for using them for the pests above.
None are used.

Pesticide Product Name	Active Ingredient	EPA Registration Number	Target Pest	Rationale for use
n/a

H. RECORD KEEPING

In the case of Merrimack Special Education Collaborative, OUTDOOR monitoring records will be maintained through: The use of forms which will be filled out by the person monitoring the facility

I. EVALUATING THE PROGRAM

The IPM plan will be evaluated on a Annually basis.

J. NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS & EXEMPTIONS

During the creation of this IPM plan, Edward Roberts has assigned committee member Thomas Guinta with the responsibility of assembling and issuing all the documents that accompany the standard written notification whenever pesticides are applied outdoors.

K. IN THE EVENT OF A HEALTH EMERGENCY

During the creation of this IPM plan, Edward Roberts has assigned committee member Thomas Guinta with the responsibility of applying for an emergency waiver.

L. LIST OF PESTICIDES TO BE USED OUTSIDE THE FACILITY

The following list includes all the pesticides that will be used outside Merrimack Special Education Collaborative. This list includes all herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides that will be used in the event that chemical is required.



Pesticide Product Name	Active Ingredient	EPA Registration Number	Target Pest	Rationale for use
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a

M. WELL WATER SYSTEM

The school does not have its own on site well water system.