if the previous steps reveal any prime farmland, flood hazard zone, imperiled species habitat, or wetlands or water bodies and their surrounding buffers, design the project such that the development footprint does not encroach on the sensitive areas.
sTeP 8. underTake only aPProved Minor iMProveMenTs around WeTlands and WaTer bodies
Ensure that any necessary improvements to enhance appreciation of the wetland or water body and its buffer are considered minor, per the credit requirements. Project teams should evaluate the trade-offs between access to the wetlands or water bodies and the ecological consequences of the access for those areas.
furTher exPlanaTion
exaMPle
A project site has had no previous development. In consulting with agencies identified in the credit, the project team determines that an adjacent wetland extends across the project boundary and also finds a small habitat area for an endangered species within the project boundary.
The project team designs the development footprint such that it does not overlap with the sensitive habitat area and is not within 50 feet (15 meters) of the wetland. The project team provides an impervious pedestrian pathway within the wetland buffer that meets the credit requirements. The project earns the credit.
PriMe farMland exPlanaTion
In the U.S., prime farmland (as well as unique farmland and farmland of statewide or local importance) is defined by the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, as specified in the credit requirements. The definition has multiple parts that indicate the characteristics necessary for the farmland to be considered prime, unique, or of statewide or local importance. The complete definition can be found at gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2001-title7-vol6.
This definition is built into NRCS soil surveys; project teams do not need to conduct their own soil surveys unless seeking local equivalency for a site not covered by NRCS (see International Tips). See below for more information on obtaining the results of those soil surveys.
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nrCs soil surveys in u.s.
Project teams may determine site soil types by visiting the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) website (see Referenced Standards) and downloading GIS data for the appropriate state and county.
NRCS keeps detailed surveys and maps for every county in the U.S. and provides most of this information online. The information can be downloaded to GIS mapping programs or may be viewed without GIS directly through the NRCS website, at websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/.
If NRCS soils data for the project site are unavailable online, contact the state or regional office to determine whether the site’s soil type is considered prime, unique, or of state significance. It may be necessary to consult with an agricultural scientist if the soil type for the project site is unclear.
idenTifyinG sensiTive habiTaT
To determine the presence of sensitive habitat, work with the state Natural Heritage Program and/or state fish and wildlife agencies (or a local equivalent outside the U.S.) to see whether species in any of the listed criteria are found on the project site. This will ensure that the most comprehensive and accurate data are used and eliminates the need for the project team to conduct a site survey.
Scientists from the aforementioned agencies specialize in wildlife information and can therefore determine whether the site has any sensitive habitat.
inTernaTional TiPs
A qualified biologist or ecologist may be helpful in determining which local laws and regulations are the most equivalent to U.S. measures in scope and rigor. A qualified ecological or biological specialist is defined as an individual who has the following qualifications:
· Holds a degree in biology, ecology, or a related subject
· Is a practicing biologist or ecologist with a minimum of three years’ experience in, for example, ecological
impact assessments, habitat surveys, and habitat restoration
· Understands how construction and the built environment affect ecology and can make recommendations for
ecological protection, enhancement, and mitigation measures
· Is covered by a professional code of conduct
Organizations likely to have qualified members include the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management, the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management, and the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment.
Prime farmland. A local equivalent for identifying prime farmland is acceptable. Reference the U.S. Code of Federal
Regulations, Title 7, Volume 6, Parts 400 to 699, Section 657.5, to ensure that the local equivalent definition is similar. Use a soil survey with equivalent methodology to the NRCS soil survey that identifies land with characteristics similar to the definition of prime farmland.
Flood hazard areas. If the project area is covered in flood hazard maps, include the criteria used to delineate flood
hazard area and the name of the authority that produced the maps. If no flood hazard maps are available, work with an engineer, hydrologist, or other qualified professional to map the flood hazard areas subject to credit requirements. Flood hazard maps must delineate areas with a 1% or greater chance of flooding in any given year. The professional hydrologist should also produce a report or an executive summary of findings and supporting documentation, such as site elevations or topographic maps and sections identifying the flood risk of the project site.
Sensitive habitat. If an equivalent to a U.S. fish and wildlife agency or Natural Heritage Program cannot be
determined, review national or international sources for endangered species or protected habitat to determine what imperiled species might occur in the area. Global resources include the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List (iucnredlist.org). In addition, engage a qualified local biologist or ecologist to conduct a biological survey.
Tree condition. A local equivalent to an arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) must
be consulted to determine the condition ratings of any trees that might be removed.
s E nsiti VE L an D PR o t E ction
LEED R E f ERE nc E Gui DE f o R B ui LD in G D E si G n A n D c ons t R uction LT CaMPus Group Approach
All buildings in the group may be documented as one.
Campus Approach
Ineligible. Each LEED project may pursue the credit individually.
required doCuMenTaTion
documentation option 1 option 2
Site map(s) showing project boundary, development footprint, any previous development,
any sensitive areas, and any minor improvements in required buffers X X
Explanation of the previous development on the site X
Description of how the project team verified prime farmland and sensitive habit criteria X
relaTed CrediT TiPs
LT Credit High-Priority Site. Locating the project on any of the site conditions listed in the related credit increases
the likelihood of avoiding the sensitive areas protected under this credit. Brownfield remediation activities pursued as part of Option 3 of the related credit are considered acceptable minor improvements in wetland and water body buffers.
LT Credit Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses. Siting the project building away from sensitive areas increases
the likelihood of locating in areas with surrounding building density or near diverse uses.
LT Credit Reduced Parking Footprint. By limiting the area allowed for development, this credit may reduce the
amount of available land for parking and help teams achieve the related credit.
SS Credit Site Assessment. During an assessment, a project team may find features such as vegetation, land use,
or hydrology that require protection to achieve this credit. The same assessment may be used to identify protection measures in the related credit.
SS Credit Rainwater Management. Sensitive land or previously undeveloped land on the project site that is left
undisturbed may be used to manage runoff and help achieve Option 2 of the related credit.
SS Credit Site Development—Protect or Restore Habitat. Sensitive land or previously undeveloped land on the
project site that is left undisturbed may be counted toward the 40% greenfield protection requirement in the related credit.
ChanGes froM leed 2009
· Floodplain requirements now refer to “flood hazard area shown on a legally adopted flood hazard map” instead
of specifically referencing the 100-year floodplain. Projects must now avoid the flood hazard area instead of being at least 5 feet (1.5 meters) above the 100-year floodplain.
· The sensitive habitat requirements have been expanded to include species or ecological communities listed
by NatureServe (in additional to local equivalents for projects outside the U.S. or outside areas covered by NatureServe).
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· The water body buffer has been changed from 50 feet (15 meters) to 100 feet (30 meters). · The wetland buffer has been changed from 100 feet (30 meters) to 50 feet (15 meters). · A list of allowable minor improvements in wetland or water body buffers has been added.
referenCed sTandards
U.S. Department of Agriculture, United States Code of Federal Regulations Title 7, Volume 6, Parts 400 to 699, Section 657.5: soils.usda.gov/technical/handbook/contents/part622.html
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, List of Threatened and Endangered Species: fws.gov/endangered NatureServe Heritage Program, GH, G1, and G2 species and ecological communities: natureserve.org FEMA Flood Zone Designations: msc.fema.gov
exeMPlary PerforManCe
Not available.
definiTions
brownfield real property or the expansion, redevelopment, or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or
possible presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant
development footprint the total land area of a project site covered by buildings, streets, parking areas, and other
typically impermeable surfaces constructed as part of the project
previously developed altered by paving, construction, and/or land use that would typically have required regulatory
permitting to have been initiated (alterations may exist now or in the past). Land that is not previously developed and landscapes altered by current or historical clearing or filling, agricultural or forestry use, or preserved natural area use are considered undeveloped land. The date of previous development permit issuance constitutes the date of previous development, but permit issuance in itself does not constitute previous development.
water body the surface water of a stream (first-order and higher, including intermittent streams), arroyo, river,
canal, lake, estuary, bay, or ocean. It does not include irrigation ditches.
wetland an area that is inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient
to support, and that under normal circumstances does support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas, but exclude irrigation ditches unless delineated as part of an adjacent wetland.
s E nsiti VE L an D PR o t E ction
LEED R E f ERE nc E Gui DE f o R B ui LD in G D E si G n A n D c ons t R uction LTlT
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