What type of maintenance is required for vegetative BMPs?

Regular mowing, watering, and replacement of dead or invasive plants are essential maintenance activities for vegetative Best Management Practices (BMPs). These practices rely on plant life to help filter stormwater runoff, improve water quality, and provide habitat. Maintaining plant health is crucial for them to effectively perform these functions.

Mowing is necessary to prevent overgrowth, which can lead to reduced water infiltration and increased competition among plants. Watering ensures that the plants remain healthy, especially during dry spells. Replacing dead or invasive plants allows for the establishment of a healthy ecosystem that is more resilient to disturbances.

In contrast, the other options involve activities that are not specific to the long-term care of vegetative BMPs. Monthly inspections and quarterly reports are more related to monitoring performance rather than the hands-on maintenance the vegetative BMPs require. Seasonal fertilizing and pesticide application could be beneficial in certain scenarios but are not as fundamental to the ongoing upkeep of vegetative systems as the regular maintenance tasks listed. Physical barriers and sediment traps pertain to structural BMPs and do not apply to the vegetative aspects, making them irrelevant for this specific context.