AVISOS GENERALES
A LOS USUARIOS DEL DIARIO OFICIAL DE LA FEDERACIÓN
Restore Habitate (Batch 2)
USGBC LEED Guide Illustrations
©2012 RTKL Associates Inc. All Rights Reserved. NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION
Building footprint (non-vegetated roof), to be excluded from calculations
Non-vegetated, pedestrian oriented hardscape & non-native vegetation areas, to be excluded from calculations Previously developed area to be restored Greenfield area to be preserved
Site areas restored with native and adapted vegetative plants Soil area to be restored = 130,00 sq ft (12,077 sq m) Rainwater management area = 5,500 sq ft (511 sq m) Athletic field = 10,000 sq ft (930 sq m) Vegetated roof area = 11,000 sq ft (1,022 sq m)
Hickory, Elm and Birch trees Yellow Twig Dogwood, Azalea and Chinese Privet vegetation
Red Twig Dogwood, Chinese Privet and Wild Hydrangea shrubs
SS sit E DEVEL o PME nt — PR o t E ct o R RE s t o RE ha B it a t
tablE 5. Example calculation for minimum revegetation and soils restoration requirement
area notes
area to be restored (2 800 m30,000 ft22) See Table 4, row 5
building Far 1.7 Because FAR > 1.5, vegetated roof can be included in revegetation area
green roof area 8,000 ft(740 m2)2
Because FAR > 1.5, vegetated roof can be included in revegetation area
area of soils to be restored (1 900 m20,000 ft22) Area of soils restoration excludes vegetated roof areas
FAR = floor-area ratio
saMPle doCuMenTaTion narraTives3
Removal and Storage of Topsoil and Duff
Describe strategies employed for the removal of the topsoil and duff to preserve native seed stock and materials for future use. Best practice for the storage of soils for reuse is to store them in shallow piles to allow air movement and protection of soil microorganisms.
Prior to disturbance, the Contractor shall salvage existing litter, duff, and upper 3 inches (75 mm) of topsoil from areas to be graded or disturbed on the project site and store until it can be incorporated back into the revegetation project. Litter and duff can be stockpiled together, but must be kept away from topsoil, in piles that are shallow and narrow. Protect stockpiles from precipitation. At no time shall materials be stockpiled for more than 3 months without approval of the engineer. See the attached schedule for specific timing of this treatment.
Grading and Slope Shaping
Describe what grading or earth moving activities are required for the revegetation project. Soil preparation on slopes may require physical modification or surface roughening. Consider evaluating site complexity of undisturbed areas relative to grades. For example, there may be “microsites” that have depressions or texture changes that can help provide a greater diversity in habitats that need to be mimicked in the restored areas.
Areas to be graded or excavated and revegetated include the base of slope to accommodate a retaining wall and installation of the shallow infiltration basin as permitted. For planting areas, scarify the top 6 inches (150 mm) of subgrade before fill placement. Subgrade depths plus specified depth of topsoil should equal finished grade. Contractor shall establish finished grades to blend with existing grades and eliminate uneven areas resulting from rough-grading operations. See the attached schedule for specific timing of these treatments. Soil Loosening
Describe physical activities required to restore infiltration capacity and aeration to compacted soil areas.
To reduce soil compaction, loosen subgrade of compacted soil areas to an average depth of 12 inches (300 mm). Soil loosening may be performed with hand tools or a mini excavator equipped with backhoe bucket. Soil shall be loosened but not turned or inverted. Soil loosening should be uneven in depth by at least 1–2 inches (25–50 mm) to reduce the chance of soil slumping. Avoid existing plants and tree roots wherever loosening takes place. See the attached schedule for specific timing of this treatment.
Soil Amendments and Fertilizer
Describe the type, quantity, and application rate of any soil amendments or fertilizers used to improve physical, chemical, or biological properties of the soil.
Apply aged wood chips to a depth of 1 inch (25 mm) on the surface of soil loosened areas. Incorporate compost to a depth of 3–4 inches (75–100 mm) and organic phosphorus-free fertilizer at a rate of 270 lbs per acre (50 kg per hectare) into areas where topsoil is to be replaced and into areas compacted during construction activities. Evenly spread compost and
LEED REFERENCE GUIDE F OR b UILDING DE s IGN AND C ON s t RUC t ION SS fertilizer on topsoil and incorporate it within using hand tools or mini excavator. After fertilizer application, water area slowly to help incorporate fertilizer into the soil. Water only until soil is moist to avoid runoff of fertilizer off-site. See the attached schedule for specific timing of these treatments. Soil Stabilization
Describe soil stabilization practices, which may include reapplication of salvaged duff material collected and stored during the site preparation process, bare soil protection using inorganic and organic mulch, and use of tackifiers, soil binders, and hydromulch.
Replace topsoil in disturbed areas (from which topsoil was removed before construction), spread to a uniform depth of 3 inches (75 mm), and gently compact into place. Topsoil shall be dry. This operation shall be conducted during dry weather. All debris, roots, weeds, and other materials in excess of 1 inch (25 mm) in diameter shall be removed while topsoil is being spread. Place wood chips to a 1-inch (25-mm) depth on the surface of loosened areas and incorporate during soil loosening. After seeding, salvaged duff and wood chips shall be evenly applied to the soil surface to a 1-inch (25-mm) depth. Then apply pine needles to increase depth to 2 inches (50 mm). After duff replacement and wood chip and pine needle application, apply tackifier according to manufacturer’s specifications in said area on the same working day. Tackifiers shall be chosen with consideration of the sources of these resins: avoid hydro-carbon based products, and prefer organic, natural, and nontoxic materials . Soil Reuse
Describe how soils have been reused for functions comparable to their original function.
Soil that will be reused on site was collected from the existing site, which contained three main types of uses: vegetation soil in plant beds, structure foundations, and athletic fields. These soils have been preserved separately and will be placed on the project in similar spaces with similar functions. The plant bed soils will be used in planter boxes located throughout the project near the plazas. The foundation soils will be used as part of the material for the foundation of the main project building. Finally, the soils from the former athletic fields will be used in the project’s open turf multipurpose area.
raTinG sysTeM variaTions Schools
· Athletic fields are exempt from the soils requirements if they are used solely for athletic purposes. · Athletic fields cannot be used toward the 30% restoration requirement.
inTernaTional TiPs
Project teams must identify the agency in their country that is responsible for land conservation issues. U.S. federal agencies may be a good resource to identify counterparts in other countries. Local entities can provide guidance on restoration activities and information regarding land trust projects and conservation organizations within the required distance from the project for teams pursuing Option 2.
Groups that work internationally include NatureServe Natural Heritage Program, Conservation International, and World Land Trust.
CaMPus Group Approach
All buildings in the group may be documented as one.
Campus Approach
SS sit E DEVEL o PME nt — PR o t E ct o R RE s t o RE ha B it a t
required doCuMenTaTion
documentation all Projects option 1 option 2
Greenfield area calculations X
Description of greenfield area protection (if applicable) X
Native or adapted vegetation calculations X
Site plan depicting project boundary, building footprint, preserved greenfield area(s) (if applicable), previously developed area, restored area, native and adapted vegetation, plant species, other ecologically appropriate features, and any other relevant site conditions
X
Description of disturbed or compacted soils to be revegetated X
Reference soil characteristics and soil test results X
Projects with vegetated roofs: provide the floor area ratio (FAR) X
Financial support calculations X
Agreement with land trust or conservation organization X
U.S. projects: Confirmation that land trust is accredited by Land Trust Alliance X Projects outside U.S.: Verification that conservation organization
is nationally or locally recognized; description of qualifications
and mission of conservation organization X
relaTed CrediT TiPs
SS Prerequisite Construction Activity Pollution Prevention. This credit and the related prerequisite have the
same purpose: to preserve and protect greenfields during construction activity. Projects may be able to use some of the same techniques for both.
SS Credit Site Assessment. Opportunities identified in the related credit can be used to preserve habitat and soils. SS Credit Open Space. Greenfield, protected, and restored areas can be counted for both credits.
SS Credit Rainwater Management. Landscaped areas designed for rainwater management can be excluded from
soils requirements if the areas use native or adapted vegetation and meet the restoration requirements.
SS Credit Heat Island Reduction. Vegetated roofs can be counted for both credits.
LT Credit High-Priority Site. When planning for habitat restoration on brownfield or contaminated sites, special
consideration should be given to the potential interaction and spreading of contaminants through attracted species and site hydrology.
ChanGes froM leed 2009
· The setback requirements were replaced with preservation and restoration requirements. · Soil requirements have been modified to include disturbed or compacted soils.
LEED REFERENCE GUIDE F OR b UILDING DE s IGN AND C ON s t RUC t ION SS
referenCed sTandards
U.S. EPA ecoregions: epa.gov
Land Trust Alliance accreditation: landtrustalliance.org
Natural Resources Conservation Service, web soil survey: websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov Sustainable Sites Initiative (SITES™): sustainablesites.org
exeMPlary PerforManCe
Option 1. Double the 30% restoration requirement (restore at least 60%).
Option 2. Double the financial donation requirement (provide at least $0.80 per square foot or $8.00 per square meter).
definiTions
density a measure of the total building floor area or dwelling units on a parcel of land relative to the buildable land
of that parcel. Units for measuring density may differ according to credit requirements. Does not include structured parking.
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
greenfield area that is not previously developed, graded or disturbed, and could support open space, habitat, or
natural hydrology
land trust a private, nonprofit organization that, as all or part of its mission, actively works to conserve land
by undertaking or assisting in conservation easement or land acquisition, or by its stewardship of such land or easements (Adapted from Land Trust Alliance)
native vegetation an indigenous species that occurs in a particular region, ecosystem, and habitat without direct or
indirect human actions. Native species have evolved to the geography, hydrology, and climate of that region. They also occur in communities; that is, they have evolved together with other species. As a result, these communities provide habitat for a variety of other native wildlife species. Species native to North America are generally recognized as those occurring on the continent prior to European settlement. Also known as native plants.
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.
prime farmland land that has the best combination of physical and chemical characteristics for producing food,
feed, forage, fiber, and oilseed crops and that is available for these uses, as determined by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (a U.S.-based methodology that sets criteria for highly productive soil). For a complete description of what qualifies as prime farmland, see U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 7, Volume 6, Parts 400 to 699, Section 657.5.
reference soil a soil native to the project site, as described in Natural Resources Conservation Service soil surveys
(or a local equivalent survey outside the United States), or undisturbed native soils within the project’s region that have native vegetation, topography, and soil textures similar to the project site. For project sites with no existing soil, reference soils are defined as undisturbed native soils within the project’s region that support appropriate native plant species similar to those intended for the new project.
SS o PE n s P a c E