NC-v2.2 SSc1: Site Selection

  • NC_Schools_CS_SSc1_Type1_Site Selection Diagram

  • If you already have a site plan, this credit is cut-and-dried

    Typically, projects have already determined their site plan by the time the team begins considering LEED certification; if this is the case, you either have the credit or you don’t.

    If your project location has not yet been determined, you can use the credit requirements as an environmental screening process when choosing your site. If the site is determined but the site plan isn’t set, consider whether the placement of buildings, roads, and other hardscapes on the site will tip you to compliance or non-compliance.

    Previously developed or not?

    This credit is intended to protect sensitive land as defined in the credit language. It also encourages projects to use previously developed land, by allowing specific exemptions for the criteria on water bodies and floodplains.

    Up until November 2011, portions of sites that had been "developed, graded, or altered by direct human activities" were considered “previously developed” for purposes of this credit—leaving open questions about whether agriculture or other human actions that left a mark on the landscape fell under the definition. A November 2011 addendum from USGBC made this definition more specific, however, defining previously developed as involving "paving, construction, and/or land use that would typically have required regulatory permitting to have been initiated." Furthermore, "current or historical clearing or filling, agricultural or forestry use, or preserved natural area use are considered undeveloped land."

    Documentation is easy—determining compliance can be hard

    Documenting this credit is relatively easy—in LEED Online, you simply check off several boxes signifying compliance.

    Whooping craneHabitat for endangered species such as the whooping crane is excluded from development in this credit. Photo – Sammy King, USGS Louisiana Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research UnitActually verifying whether your project site meets the criteria can be a longer process, however. Check with the civil engineer on as many items as possible, then research any items that remain uncertain. The hardest items are generally determining if your land is prime farmland or considered habitat for threatened or endangered species. 

    International projects may find it even more difficult

    International projects must follow the definitions provided in U.S. standards, but determining compliance may be much more difficult because the mapping programs used to determine compliance are not available.

    For example, to determine whether a U.S. project is in the 100-year flood zone, you will need to use the mapping program provided on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website. International projects may not have the same definition of flood plain and may not have access to a similar mapping program, making it more difficult to determine compliance.

    Differences between NCv2.2 and v2009

    The credit requirements for SSc1 are the same in NC v2.2 and v2009. However, in NC v2.2, there is more flexibility in defining your LEED boundary, as USGBC does not explicitly require the LEED boundary to represent your entire scope of work (as it does in v2009). However, it is best practice to have the LEED boundary match your scope of work. NC v2.2 also has the older, vague definition of "previously developed' still in place (see above).

    FAQs for SSc1

    The project site is classified as "prime farmland," but is in a developed area with buildings all around. Can I still comply with this credit?

    LEED does not have published exceptions to the prime farmland requirement. You would need to submit a CIRCredit Interpretation Ruling. Used by design team members experiencing difficulties in the application of a LEED prerequisite or credit to a project. Typically, difficulties arise when specific issues are not directly addressed by LEED information/guide to get an official ruling.

    However, some projects have had success contacting the local USDA representative and requesting an evaluation to get an exemption due to the low probability that the land could be usable for agricultural purposes.

    Our project site is in what FEMA refers to as "Zone D"—an area that has possible but undetermined flood hazards, as no analysis of flood hazards have been conducted. How can we tell if we comply with this credit?

    Seek the opinion of an equivalent local regulatory agency, or a professional hydrologist.

    Is it possible to be exempted from the wetlands requirements under this credit if we protect or restore equivalent wetlands elsewhere?

    No, this is not an accepted compliance path. LEEDuser's experts agree that you are unlikely to get traction with this due to the immediate and unsustainable impacts on local ecosystems and hydrology.

    Is my site previously developed?

    Many projects have had questions about the definition of previously developed. Note that LEED 2009 projects have had the relevant definition updated by USGBC through a November 2011 addendum. Be sure to reference that definition.

Legend

  • Best Practices
  • Gotcha
  • Action Steps
  • Cost Tip

Pre-Design

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  • If your project site has not yet been selected, use the credit criteria to select an environmentally appropriate site that will comply with the credit. Research site options as part of your normal due diligence. Do not develop sensitive areas of the site, or areas bordering on sensitive areas. 

  • USGBC does not explicitly require you to set to the LEED boundary to match your entire scope of work, so you have some discretion in setting a project boundary that may impact achievement of this credit. However, it is a best practice to simply designate the LEED boundary so that it reflects your project scope, 

  • Look for urban infill sites, which are most likely to meet the credit requirements and which can help you earn a number of other LEED Sustainable Sites credits (especially SSc2, SSc4.1, SSc4.2, and SSc4.4). 

  • If the project site is already selected, start researching each of the credit criteria to see if any part of the development—buildings, hardscape, roads or parking areas—impacts sensitive areas as defined by the credit language. Refer to the sections below for each of the main credit criteria. 

  • If your project does not meet all the criteria, check to see if the project footprint can be adjusted to avoid development in sensitive areas. For example, if a portion of your site is located within 100 feet of wetlands, do not develop on that portion of the site. Instead of having a larger building footprint, build up, with a smaller footprint.

  • It’s usually best to include this credit in the civil engineer’s scope of work, and include its requirements in the contract language. If the civil engineer does the permitting for stormwater, some of the same criteria will be researched, and the few additional items should not be difficult for them to assess. 

  • According to the credit criteria, you must avoid sensitive areas such as: 

    • prime farmland;
    • previously undeveloped land less than five feet above the 100-year flood plain;
    • land that is habitat for federal or state threatened or endangered species;
    • land within 100 feet of wetlands;
    • previously undeveloped land within 50 feet of a body of water, including seas, lakes, rivers, streams, and tributaries; 
    • or land that prior to purchase for this project was public parkland, excluding park authority projects. (Land of equal or greater value to the public parkland can be accepted in trade by the public land steward, however.)

  • Previously developed sites typically comply with the requirements of this credit and are exempt from meeting the requirements of flood-plain and water-body setback requirements. 

  • For purposes of this credit, “previously developed” indicates a site on which at least a portion has been altered by human activity. 

  • Typically, this is a no-cost credit, except for the research time needed to verify compliance, which will vary depending on the project. 

  • Locating your project site outside of a flood plain can lower your property insurance rates. 

  • If you develop in an urban or infill area on previously developed land, you will already have access to public utilities and may be near public transit. This can help your budget and offer a valuable amenity to building occupants. 

Schematic Design

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  • Determine whether any part of the project development (buildings, hardscape, roads or parking areas) may impact sensitive portions of the site.

  • Check with the civil engineer, who may already know if your project meets the requirements. If the civil engineer can provide only a few of the answers, also consult the landscape architect and architect, who may have already done some of this research. 

  • Finding existing information (rather than undertaking new studies) makes for the easiest documentation. The challenge is finding the information easily.

  • If the design team does not know all of the answers, someone involved in planning or environmental work in the local municipality may be the most helpful person to talk to. Seek out specialized municipal agencies for help on specific issues. 

  • When an aspect of your project site is in question, check the intent of the credit and the referenced standards that apply to your situation, and realize that rarely are there exemptions for this credit. As always, check the LEED Interpretations page for past CIRs and other scenarios in which the GBCI has made a ruling.

  • GBCI Tip: For international projects, be sure to include a narrative describing any special circumstances and/or how the project meets the intent of the credit if there are conflicts or lack of alignment with the credit requirements.

  • If you find your project does meet all the criteria after reviewing each one, you are ready to document the credit. To do so, you’ll simply need to provide information on your project location and check off appropriate boxes verifying credit compliance.

  • Retain files and printouts documenting each of the credit areas for future reference.

  • Prime Farmland

  • Determine whether your project is located on prime farmland. 

  • “Prime farmland” is defined by USDA in the United States Code of Federal Regulations, Title 7, Volume 6, Parts 400–699, Section 657.5 (citation 7CFR657.5): “Prime farmland is land that has the best combination of physical and chemical characteristics for producing food, feed, forage, fiber and oilseed crops, and is also available for these uses (the land could be cropland, pastureland, rangeland, forest land or other land, but not urban built-up land or water). It has the soil quality, growing season, and moisture supply needed to economically produce sustained high yields of crops when treated and managed, including water management, according to acceptable farming methods.” For the full definition and description of prime farmlands, see the National Archives and Records Administration for the Code of Federal Regulations; search by citation. See the Resources section for a link to the appropriate regulation.

  • Not all farmland is considered “prime”—dry, western ranges, for example, are typically excluded. Even if a site is being farmed, check whether it is prime according to USDA definitions.

  • As an initial step, search for prime farmland on the USDA website for your state or county. Some states and counties have more information than others, but you should be able to find a map of your county that delineates prime farmland from other types of uses.

  • If you are still unsure whether your project is located on prime farmland, look at the USDA Web Soils Survey map program through the Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS). See the Resources section for a link. Follow these steps:

    • Search by the state and county, or by the project address.
    • Define your area of interest (AOI) or project boundary.
    • Click on the tab for Soil Data Explorer and then on the tab for Suitabilities and Limitations for Use. 
    • Click on Land Classifications and then View Rating. This will provide you with a map delineating any areas of prime farmland. See the example of prime farmland research in the Documentation Toolkit; this example is for a compliant site that is not located on prime farmland. 

  • If you are unable to determine whether or not your site contains or is prime farmland, contact your local NRCS department for help. See the Resources tab for a link. 

  • Document the status of your site, using information from whatever source you find most useful. You will not need to submit this documentation for LEED, but it’s worth having on file.

  • 100-Year Flood Plain

  • If your site has been previously developed, you can skip the floodplain requirement. However, it’s still good practice to consider site development and design strategies to mitigate your project’s risk from flooding.

  • If your site has not been previously developed, determine whether it is lower than five feet above the 100-year floodplain elevation.

  • The 100-year floodplain, defined by FEMA, is the elevation to which a flood has a 1% chance of reaching or exceeding in a given year. (It is not the level of the most significant flood within a 100-year period.) So-called 100-year floods can occur many times within a 100-year period. 

  • As an initial step, search for the 100-year floodplain on the FEMA website for your project address. Some states and counties have more information than others, and a number of locations are not accessible through FEMA’s digital mapping program. See the Resources section for a link to the FEMA Map Viewer website.  

  • Go to the FEMA website and use their mapping tool (Map Viewer) to help you determine whether your project is in Zone A (the 100-year floodplain). See the example of FEMA 100-year floodplain research in the Documentation Toolkit. Use the following steps:

    • Search by your project address, or state and zip code.
    • Use the legend to determine whether your project is in Zone A. 
    • If your project is in Zone A, determine the elevation of the 100-year floodplain and see if your project is at least five feet above this elevation.
    • If your project is not located in Zone A, your site is in compliance.
    • If you zoom in to the state or county level first, you will be able to see data that may not be obvious at the address level; projects in areas corresponding to “DFIRM Data Availability” will have the most luck in easily determining their floodplain. 

  • If the FEMA website does not provide digital data for your project location, check with your local municipality or county to see if they have a mapping program or if they can provide you with guidance on where to look. For example, the city of Boulder, Colorado provides an eMap service for the 100- and 500-year floodplain. See the example of the City of Boulder’s 100-year floodplain research in the Documentation Toolkit.

  • Species on Federal or State Threatened or Endangered List

  • Determine whether your site is considered habitat for threatened or endangered species. Many people assume that their project is not located on threatened or endangered species habitat; however, you must do the research, as this is more common than you may think. 

  • According to the Endangered Species Act, “Endangered species means any species which is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range other than a species of the Class Insecta determined by the Secretary (of the Interior) to constitute a pest whose protection under the provisions of this Act would present an overwhelming and overriding risk to man…Threatened species means any species which is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its range.”

  • As an initial step, search the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service website. It provides a Species Report that lists all endangered (E) and threatened (T) species by state, including both plants and animals. See the Resources section for a link to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service website, and see an example of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Species Report for Colorado in the Documentation Toolkit. 

  • The list of endangered and threatened species will not provide you with any data specific to your site. The next likely place to start more detailed research is your city or county website, or a local conservancy or environmental group.

  • Each state also has a Natural Heritage Inventory program that records occurrences of important species and current habitat extents; these offices can usually create a site-specific report (typically for a fee) identifying species known to be present or historically spotted on your site. See the Resources section for a link to the NatureServe list of U.S., Canadian, and Latin American Natural Heritage Programs. In the Documentation Toolkit you can see an example of Colorado’s Natural Heritage Program site-specific report.

  • Wetlands

  • Determine whether your site has or is located within 100 feet of a wetland. 

  • Do not develop buildings, hardscape, roads or parking areas within 100 feet of wetlands.

  • As defined in EPA Regulation 40CFR230: “Wetlands consist of areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions.” 

  • As an initial step, search the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service website for the National Wetlands Inventory mapping program. Through this program, you can download digital data, use the wetlands mapping program, or view wetlands on Google Earth. See an example of the National Wetlands Inventory mapping program in the Documentation Toolkit. See the Resources section for a link to the National Wetlands Inventory mapping program. 

  • Some small and site-specific wetlands may not be mapped. Look at the site with the civil engineer or ecologist to determine whether there are any wetlands located on your site. 

  • Water Bodies

  • If your site has been previously developed, you can skip the water bodies requirement.

  • “Waters of the United States,” as defined by the Clean Water Act, are “all waters which are currently used, were used in the past, or may be susceptible to use in interstate or foreign commerce, including all waters which are subject to the ebb and flow of the tide; all interstate waters, including interstate ‘wetlands’; all other waters, such as intrastate lakes, rivers, streams (including intermittent streams), mudflats, sandflats, ‘wetlands,’ sloughs, prairie potholes, wet meadows, playa lakes, or natural ponds, the use, degradation, or destruction of which would affect or could affect interstate or foreign commerce including any such waters which are or could be used by interstate or foreign travelers for recreational or other purposes; from which fish or shellfish are or could be taken and sold in interstate or foreign commerce; or which are used or could be used for industrial purposes by industries in interstate commerce; all impoundments of waters otherwise defined as waters of the United States under this definition; tributaries of waters identified [in] this definition; the territorial sea; and ‘wetlands’ adjacent to waters (other than waters that are themselves wetlands) identified in… this definition.”

  • To determine whether your project site is located within 50 feet of a water body (sea, lake, river, stream, or tributary), use the FEMA website mapping tool, USDA Web Soils Survey map program, or Google Earth. See a Google Earth example in the Documentation Toolkit. See the Resources section for a link to the FEMA and USDA websites. 

  • Manmade ponds for stormwater and recreation do not count as “water bodies” for the purposes of this credit and are exempt from this requirement. However, manmade wetlands or water bodies developed for ecological restoration are not exempt from these requirements, and all development must be at least 50 feet away from these sensitive areas. 

  • Parkland

  • Determine whether your site, prior to acquisition for this project, was public parkland. Avoid developing land that prior to acquisition for the project was public parkland.

  • It should be easy to determine whether the land purchased for the project was previously parkland. If you’re not sure, check with the owner, developer, the relevant park authority, or the title history.

  • If the land was parkland in the past but was owned by an entity other than a park authority before it was purchased for your project, the site remains eligible for this credit. 

  • Development by a park authority for park purposes is acceptable and does not preclude your project from earning this credit (subject to other criteria). For example, an educational center built on the park grounds by the park authority is still eligible for the credit. 

  • If the purchased land was previously parkland, you may make a trade agreement for other parkland that is of equal or greater value. 

Design Development

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  • If your project site as a whole does not meet all the credit criteria but you still intend to attempt the credit, begin by verifying that no portion of the site that will be developed is located in sensitive areas or is within the given parameters for limited development. For example, if you have wetlands located on your site, be sure that your development is at least 100 feet away from them. 

Construction Documents

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  • If your project site as a whole does not meet all the credit criteria but you intend to attempt the credit based on special circumstances, be sure to include detailed project drawings delineating the sensitive areas and the development footprint. 

  • Include detailed site drawings and terms in contracts to ensure that any sensitive areas will be adequately protected during construction.

Construction

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  • Be sure the contractor understands the importance of any sensitive areas being protected, and your expectations for ensuring that protection. 

  • Verify that sensitive areas are being protected throughout construction.

Operations & Maintenance

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  • If your site does contain sensitive areas, be sure to provide a site map that delineates these areas. Ensure that any maintenance and grounds keeping does not infringe on these areas, and be sure to exclude them from any future building or development, even if not part of a LEED project. 

  • USGBC

    Excerpted from LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations Version 2.2

    COPYRIGHT © 2005 BY THE U.S. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

    SS Credit 1: Site selection

    1 Point

    Intent

    Avoid development of inappropriate sites and reduce the environmental impact from the location of a building on a site.

    Requirements

    Do not develop buildings, hardscapeHardscape consists of the inanimate elements of the building landscaping. Examples include pavement, roadways, stone walls, concrete paths and sidewalks, and concrete, brick, and tile patios., roads or parking areas on portions of sites that meet any one of the following criteria:

    • Prime farmland as defined by the United States Department of Agriculture in the United States Code of Federal Regulations, Title 7, Volume 6, Parts 400 to 699, Section 657.5 (citation 7CFR657.5)
    • Previously undeveloped land whose elevation is lower than 5 feet above the elevation of the 100-year flood as defined by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency)
    • Land that is specifically identified as habitat for any species on Federal or State threatened or endangered lists
    • Within 100 feet of any wetlands as defined by United States Code of Federal Regulations 40 CFR, Parts 230-233 and Part 22, and isolated wetlands or areas of special concern identified by state or local rule, OR within setback distances from wetlands prescribed in state or local regulations, as defined by local or state rule or law, whichever is more stringent
    • Previously undeveloped land that is within 50 feet of a water body, defined as seas, lakes, rivers, streams and tributaries which support or could support fish, recreation or industrial use, consistent with the terminology of the Clean Water Act
    • Land which prior to acquisition for the project was public parkland, unless land of equal or greater value as parkland is accepted in trade by the public landowner (Park Authority projects are exempt)

    Potential Technologies & Strategies

    During the site selection process, give preference to those sites that do not include sensitive site elements and restrictive land types. Select a suitable building location and design the building with the minimal footprint to minimize site disruption of those environmentally sensitive areas identified above.

Web Tools

United States Department of Agriculture

You can search for prime farmland in your state and county. 

USDA Services – Center Locator

This site provides links to Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Centers for all states. If you cannot determine whether your property is located on prime farmland, contact your local center. 

USDA Web Soil Survey

This site can provide you with information on prime farmland, soil types, and location of water bodies. 

FEMA – Mapping Information Platform

The Map Viewer allows you to type in the project address and create a map that shows if your project is in the floodplain. You can also use this map to determine if your project is near a water body.

ESRI

This software company creates tools for geographic information systems (GIS) mapping. Its website includes an option to make a map of all flood areas within a user-defined location.

National Wetlands Inventory Mapper

Provides maps of regional wetlands.

Regional Wetlands Contacts

This website allows users to find the immediate wetlands contact for their region.

FEMA Regional Contacts

This website gives specific contact information by state and division of FEMA.

Publications

Title 7, Volume 6, Part 657, Section 657.5 of the US Code of Federal Regulations

This document provides the definition and explanation of prime farmlands. An abbreviated version is provided under Checklists, Schematic Design, Prime Farmland.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service – Species Reports

This website lists endangered and threatened species by state. 

NatureServe

This publication provides contact information for U.S., Canadian, and Latin American Natural Heritage Programs and Conservation Data Centers.

Glossary - HCFCD

Flood terminology glossary from the Harris County Flood Control District.

Organizations

Natural Resources Defense Council

NRDC uses law, science, and advocacy to protect wildlife and wild places and to ensure a safe and healthy environment.

100-Year Flood Level

Verify that your site is five feet or more above the 100-year flood level using FEMA data sources, or county data sources, as shown in these examples.

Proximity to Wetlands

Verify that the site is not within 100 feet of wetlands, as shown in this example, using verification based on National Wetlands Inventory data.

Proximity to a Water Body

Depending on whether the site is previously developedPreviously developed sites are those 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). Previously developed land includes a platted lot on which a building was constructed if the lot is no more than 1 acre; previous development on lots larger than 1 acre is defined as the development footprint and land alterations associated with the footprint. Land that is not previously developed and altered landscapes resulting from 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." or not, meet the credit critera for distance from a water body, as shown in this example.

Endangered or Threatened Species

Verify that the site is not habitat for endangered or threatened species, using data and analysis such as in this example.

Prime Farmland

Check whether the site is located on prime farmland, as shown in this example using the National Cooperative Soil Survey website.

LEED Online Sample Template – SSc1

This template is the flattened, public version of the dynamic template for this credit that is used within LEED-Online v2 by registered project teams. This and other public versions of LEED credit templates come from the USGBC website, and are posted on LEEDuser with USGBC's permission. You'll need to fill out the live version of this template on LEED Online to document this credit.

USGBC

Official LEED Online Forms

LEED Online Sample Template – SSc1

 

This template is the flattened, public version of the dynamic template for this credit that is used within LEED-Online v2 by registered project teams. This and other public versions of LEED credit templates come from the USGBC website, and are posted on LEEDuser with USGBC's permission. You'll need to fill out the live version of this template on LEED Online to document this credit.

 

USGBC

Official LEED Online Forms

Design Submittal

PencilDocumentation for this credit can be part of a Design Phase submittal.

19 Comments

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Ye Yao Engineer ARUP
Mar 21 2013
Guest

Man-made canal

Our site is next to a tributary of a man-made canal which was built hundreds of years ago in China. Now this tributary is mainly used for irrigation and drainage. My question is, can this kind of water body be exempt from the requirement of this credit?

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Craig Flandermeyer
Nov 27 2012
LEEDuser Member
42 Thumbs Up

prime farmland

Per the web soil survey, approximately 55% of a site is considered prime farmland. This same area has been previously developedPreviously developed sites are those 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). Previously developed land includes a platted lot on which a building was constructed if the lot is no more than 1 acre; previous development on lots larger than 1 acre is defined as the development footprint and land alterations associated with the footprint. Land that is not previously developed and altered landscapes resulting from 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." with roads and utility infrastructure as part of an office park prior to consideration for this project. Would the site qualify for this credit?

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Tristan Roberts LEED AP BD+C, Editorial Director – LEEDuser, BuildingGreen, Inc. Nov 27 2012 LEEDuser Moderator

Craig—I don't think so. See the credit language above. You can't develop that portion of the site, even if it was previously developedPreviously developed sites are those 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). Previously developed land includes a platted lot on which a building was constructed if the lot is no more than 1 acre; previous development on lots larger than 1 acre is defined as the development footprint and land alterations associated with the footprint. Land that is not previously developed and altered landscapes resulting from 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.".

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Totolo Tao
Sep 26 2012
Guest
5 Thumbs Up

Low-impact trail within 25' of an existing wetland

We want to have a trail loop around an existing non-tidal wetland (within 100' and some in 25' buffer). The trail material is going to be permeable and not to disturb hydrology. There is no grading work within 25' buffer. There are two elevated boardwalks crossing over the wetland with minimal structural support (helical anchor) Anyone knows if we can get credit SS 1-site selection or not. Thanks!

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Susann Geithner Director of Sustainability, HSB Architects & Engineers Oct 05 2012 LEEDuser Expert 7761 Thumbs Up

Tricky. One can consider the path and boardwalks, a "road way". Also the intent of the setback from wetlands is also to leave this habitat alone. I would submit it as alternative compliance or special circumstances and explain what you are doing. Also see if you can find a CIR to support your approach.

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Michelle Hicks Sustainability Coordinator Office Go Green
Dec 07 2011
Guest
15 Thumbs Up

Awesome Resource

I am so grateful for this site. My project team's site is a multi-building site going after one certification documentation has taken a lot of hard work and time. Fortunately the resources on this page are outstanding and have helped me achieve the results I've been looking for in one hour flat. Thanks to whomever put this together.

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Tristan Roberts LEED AP BD+C, Editorial Director – LEEDuser, BuildingGreen, Inc. Dec 14 2011 LEEDuser Moderator

Michelle, thanks—we're glad to hear it's helping your project team! Here is the team behind LEEDuser.

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Rhandi Gallegos AEI
Jun 21 2011
Guest
44 Thumbs Up

Submittal documentation for this credit

Our project site complies with the requirements for this credit. What specifically should I submit with the LEED form or is just checking the boxes enough? Should I include any type of narrative?

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Tristan Roberts LEED AP BD+C, Editorial Director – LEEDuser, BuildingGreen, Inc. Jun 28 2011 LEEDuser Moderator

Rhandi, you basically just have to check the boxes. If they don't ask for it, don't provide it!

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Razan Nejem Environmental Engineer, LEED AP BD+C
Jun 16 2011
LEEDuser Member
191 Thumbs Up

International Project

how do I document the this credit in case of an international project?
for the prime farm land requirement i got a letter from the Ministry of Agriculture confirming that the land is not a prime farmland, will that work?
what about the other requirements

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Susann Geithner Director of Sustainability, HSB Architects & Engineers Jun 28 2011 LEEDuser Expert 7761 Thumbs Up

The letter form the Ministry should be sufficient to confirm "No farmland". For the other items the best way to go about it is to submit map highlighting wetlands, lakes, rivers or any other water bodies as well as protected areas for endangered species. This can also several maps if you can't get it on one. For the 100 year flood line it very much depends on what's available. Again a map would be the preferred option but a letter of the local authorities or the extract from your building permit, stating where the flood line is located is fine also.

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Katrina Rosa Owner The EcoLogic Studio
Jan 07 2011
LEEDuser Member
372 Thumbs Up

“Previously Developed Sites”:

Our project’s site is on a mulit-acre lot on a very large military base, and there is a question as to whether the site can be considered previously developedPreviously developed sites are those 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). Previously developed land includes a platted lot on which a building was constructed if the lot is no more than 1 acre; previous development on lots larger than 1 acre is defined as the development footprint and land alterations associated with the footprint. Land that is not previously developed and altered landscapes resulting from 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." or not (SSc1, and implications for a few other credits). There are both overhead power lines and underground utility lines that go through the site. There is also a small parking lot at one edge of the site. It does look like the site has been overtaken with nature since their installation. This raises the question at what point in time after any 'direct human activity' does the site revert back to a Greenfield?

Is the LEED NC v2.2 definition of “previously developed sites" to include utilities that just pass through the site? If we can provide proof of their existence in a campus drawing do you think we can achieve this credit?

The other argument that can be made is that since the project is within an existing campus, the site, while not yet built upon, was intended for future growth. Do you think this is a valid argument for defining the site as well?

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Susan Walter Sr Project Architect, Wilmot/Sanz Jan 07 2011 LEEDuser Member 6692 Thumbs Up

Have you verified the wetlands and flood plain qualifiers? Both times 'previously developedPreviously developed sites are those 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). Previously developed land includes a platted lot on which a building was constructed if the lot is no more than 1 acre; previous development on lots larger than 1 acre is defined as the development footprint and land alterations associated with the footprint. Land that is not previously developed and altered landscapes resulting from 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." land' comes into play is in regards to their proximity to water or how prone the site is to flooding. If the land is more than 5 feet above the 100 year flood plain or more than 50 feet from a water body, you don't need to worry about the previous utility work on site.

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Katrina Rosa Owner, The EcoLogic Studio Jan 08 2011 LEEDuser Member 372 Thumbs Up

Yes, I believe a dry riverbed identified as a "Waters of the US" is within 50 feet of the project.

We really need to determine whether the site is considered to be previously developedPreviously developed sites are those 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). Previously developed land includes a platted lot on which a building was constructed if the lot is no more than 1 acre; previous development on lots larger than 1 acre is defined as the development footprint and land alterations associated with the footprint. Land that is not previously developed and altered landscapes resulting from 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." due to the utility lines running through the project site. The small parking lot is less than 2% of the site area. Otherwise, nature has retaken the site.

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Tristan Roberts LEED AP BD+C, Editorial Director – LEEDuser, BuildingGreen, Inc. Jan 08 2011 LEEDuser Moderator

Jeff, I think you will find the forum discussion on SSc5.1 useful. You are in a bit of a gray area, but you may find some direction from other projects there.

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Tongsu Han
Sep 09 2010
LEEDuser Member
125 Thumbs Up

Prime farmland area

My site was really good rice paddy field but graded by government's new city plan. My project is to build new school in the developed area. I am wondering whether the credit for SS C1 can get or not.

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Tristan Roberts LEED AP BD+C, Editorial Director – LEEDuser, BuildingGreen, Inc. Sep 10 2010 LEEDuser Moderator

I would say that earning SSc1 for your project will be difficult. Even graded areas can be considered prime farmland, and it seems like this area would be subject to that designation.

Another obstacle is the fact that if you're not in the U.S. (and it appears that you're not) this credit is difficult to document due to the U.S.-centric standards and mapping tools that are used. This issue is discussed in more detail in our guidance above.

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Tysa Tenebro
Aug 09 2010
Guest
492 Thumbs Up

Is Watercourse a wetland?

Hi,

I would like to know if a watercourse is considered a wetland on LEED compliance. The problem is we constructed a roadway through the watercourse but we had a watercourse alteration approved by local government. Can we still earn this credit due to the modification? We don't have a choice but to have an entrance road on that side of the site because of its gradual slope and the rest are already steep. Please advise. Thanks.

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Tristan Roberts LEED AP BD+C, Editorial Director – LEEDuser, BuildingGreen, Inc. Aug 09 2010 LEEDuser Moderator

Tysa, a "water body" and a "wetland" are different, and are treated differently in the LEED requirements. See the credit language above for the different thresholds for each of these cases. You may not qualify, though.

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May 24 2013
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