NC v2.2 SSc3: Brownfield Redevelopment

  • NC_CS_SSc3_Type3_Brownfield Diagram

  • Redevelop land or facilities

    The intent of this credit is to reduce the development pressure on undeveloped land by encouraging development of land that has access to existing infrastructure and services. 

    This credit is straightforward. You can earn it if your site has been designated a brownfield by a state, local or federal agency and if the site is remediated to meet appropriate standards for development. 

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines “brownfields” as “abandoned, idled, or under-used industrial and commercial facilities where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination.” 

    Your documentation needs to include brownfield designation, records of testing conducted on the site, and records of...

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5 Comments

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John Klein Sr. Architect HDR Engineering
Apr 28 2011
Member
119 Thumbs Up

Superfund Sites eligible for Brownfields Redevelopment credit?

Has anyone attempted to qualify for this credit with a designated Superfund site? Although sites listed on the Federal National Priorities List (NPL) were excluded by definition from being labeled as a brownfield site, a Superfund site undergoing cleanup and being redeveloped seems to meet the intent of the credit. v2.2 credit interpretations do not address this topic.

Thanks-
Michelle

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Larry Sims Principal, Studio4, LLC Apr 28 2011 Guest Expert 328 Thumbs Up

Here are links to a LEED project (Fernald Uranium processing site) being part of an overall Superfund cleanup program.

http://www.epa.gov/region5superfund/redevelop/pdf/Fernald_Preserve.pdf

http://www.usgbc-cincinnati.org/?mid=70&mid2=164&mid3=18

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John Klein Sr. Architect, HDR Engineering May 03 2011 Member 119 Thumbs Up

Thanks for this information. This precedent should strengthen our case regarding meeting the intent of the credit.

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Greg Kight National Director of Sustainable Design Jacobs
Apr 18 2011
Guest
79 Thumbs Up

Brownfield Qualification for UXO Unexploded Ordinance

LEED Users,

I have a Navy Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (BEQ) project in Guam where the contractor remediated munitions under the UXO Unexploded Ordinance. Additionally, Japanese Soldiers were uncovered and returned to their homeland. Is there 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 or precedent for this situation and should we submit this to USGBC for consideration?

Thank you,
Greg

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Larry Sims Principal, Studio4, LLC Apr 20 2011 Guest Expert 328 Thumbs Up

I've be unable to locate any CIRs that address regulated environmental hazards associated with UXO. Assuming the project site was assessed and remediated according to the requirements of the agency having authority (EPA, Pacific Southwest, Region 9; DoD; state or tribal, etc.), someone (environmental site assessment professional, remediating contractor or you) should have all the documentation to be submitted that would satisfy the requirements of the credit (e.g. executive summary).

With regard to the Japanese soldiers, generally human remains do not cause significant environmental contamination, so I doubt remains from WWII soldiers would pose any environmental concerns.

Having said this, and given the sensitivity regarding unexploded ordnances and the inherent risks to developments, if it were my project I would spend a few hundred dollars and submit a CIR.

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