Replace with: "sites not previously developed or graded that could support open space, habitat, or agriculture."
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Requirements
Case 1. Greenfield sites1
Limit all site disturbance to the following parameters:- 40 feet (12 meters) beyond the building perimeter and parking garages;
- 10 feet (3 meters) beyond surface walkways, patios, surface parking and utilities less than 12 inches (30 centimeters) in diameter;
- 15 feet (4.5 meters) beyond primary roadway curbs and main utility branch trenches;
- 25 feet (8 meters) beyond constructed areas with permeable surfaces (such as pervious paving areas, stormwater detention facilities and playing fields) that require additional staging areas to limit compaction in the constructed area.
Case 2. Previously developed2 areas or graded sites
Restore or protect a minimum of 50% of the site area, excluding the building footprint, or 20% of the total site area, including building footprint, whichever is greater, with native or adapted vegetation.3 Projects earning SS Credit 2, Development Density and Community Connectivity, may include vegetated roof surface in this calculation if the plants are native or adapted, provide habitat, and promote biodiversity. Projects earning SS Credit 9.1, Connection to the Natural World—Outdoor Places of Respite, may apply the planted areas to this calculation, if the plants are native or adapted, provide habitat and promote biodiversity. Projects with limited landscape opportunities may also donate offsite land in perpetuity, equal to 60% of the previously developed area (including the building footprint), to a land trust within the same EPA Level III Ecoregion identified for the project site. The land trust must adhere to the Land Trust Alliance 'Land Trust Standards and Practices' 2004 Revision.1 Greenfield sites are sites not previously developed or graded that could support open space, habitat, or agriculture..
2 Native or adapted plants are plants indigenous to a locality or cultivars of native plants that are adapted to the local climate and are not considered invasive species or noxious weeds.
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See all forum discussions about this credit »Addenda
Replace with: "sites not previously developed or graded that could support open space, habitat, or agriculture."
What qualities must a vegetated roof have in order to count towards SSc5.1? Can roofs that provide a plant mix shown to promote appropriate biodiversity be eligible to earn SSc5.1? Does an all-sedum plant mix meet the SSc5.1 intent of providing habitat and promoting biodiversity?
The primary goal of this credit is to provide habitat and promote biodiversity. To satisfy the intent of the credit, the vegetated roof must be an intensive roof system, where the depth of the growing medium is 6 inches or more. Where the vegetated roof is a combination of intensive and extensive roof systems, only the intensive portions of the roof can count towards SSc5.1 Site Development-Protect or Restore Habitat. Applicable Internationally.Intensive roofs are vegetated roofs that support a wider variety of plants (including shrubs and trees) than extensive roofs, and have greater soil volume. The depth of the growing medium is an important factor in determining habitat value. The native or adapted plants selected for the roof should support the endemic wildlife populations of the site. More information on vegetated roofs can be found at Green Roofs for Healthy Cities (http://greenroofs.org/).Sedums used on vegetated roofs should provide a level of species diversity similar to the native habitat of the project\'s region. Generally, green roofs with less than six varieties of sedum are considered a monoculture and cannot be used to earn this credit (though they may contribute to the achievement other credits). Project teams considering the use of sedum should note that the selected species should enhance the biodiversity of the region and blend with the local habitat.
The November 2010 Addendum states that: “Projects with limited landscape opportunities may also donate offsite land in perpetuity, equal to 60% of the previously developed area (including the building footprint), to a land trust within the same EPA Level III Ecoregion identified for the project site. The land trust must adhere to the Land Trust Alliance ‘Land Trust Standards and Practices’ 2004 Revision. “
Is there Exemplary Performance for this new path?
For the Case 2, offsite path added via addenda on 11/3/2010, projects may earn an Innovation in Design credit for exemplary performance by donating offsite land in perpetuity, equal to 90% of the previously developed area (including the building footprint), to a land trust within the same EPA Level III Ecoregion identified for the project site. The land trust must adhere to the Land Trust Alliance ‘Land Trust Standards and Practices’ 2004 Revision.
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© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Requirements
Case 1. Greenfield sites1
Limit all site disturbance to the following parameters:- 40 feet (12 meters) beyond the building perimeter and parking garages;
- 10 feet (3 meters) beyond surface walkways, patios, surface parking and utilities less than 12 inches (30 centimeters) in diameter;
- 15 feet (4.5 meters) beyond primary roadway curbs and main utility branch trenches;
- 25 feet (8 meters) beyond constructed areas with permeable surfaces (such as pervious paving areas, stormwater detention facilities and playing fields) that require additional staging areas to limit compaction in the constructed area.
Case 2. Previously developed2 areas or graded sites
Restore or protect a minimum of 50% of the site area, excluding the building footprint, or 20% of the total site area, including building footprint, whichever is greater, with native or adapted vegetation.3 Projects earning SS Credit 2, Development Density and Community Connectivity, may include vegetated roof surface in this calculation if the plants are native or adapted, provide habitat, and promote biodiversity. Projects earning SS Credit 9.1, Connection to the Natural World—Outdoor Places of Respite, may apply the planted areas to this calculation, if the plants are native or adapted, provide habitat and promote biodiversity. Projects with limited landscape opportunities may also donate offsite land in perpetuity, equal to 60% of the previously developed area (including the building footprint), to a land trust within the same EPA Level III Ecoregion identified for the project site. The land trust must adhere to the Land Trust Alliance 'Land Trust Standards and Practices' 2004 Revision.1 Greenfield sites are sites not previously developed or graded that could support open space, habitat, or agriculture..
2 Native or adapted plants are plants indigenous to a locality or cultivars of native plants that are adapted to the local climate and are not considered invasive species or noxious weeds.