We have an international client with a large campus along a coast line that is forming a landbank to protect existing mangrove areas. Per previous strings it would seem that water plantings (mangrove areas) would qualify for SSc5.1 as mangroves are both on land and in water. However as an extension of these mangrove areas the coast line is highly irregular and there are coastal coral reefs that will be included within this landbank. The question is can these coral reef areas be counted toward SSc5.1 as the Owner wishes to protect these natural habitats as well?
The LEED Reference Guide notes that ecologically appropriate features that maintain or restore the ecological integrity of the site including water bodies are acceptable. A coral reef connected directly to large mangrove areas would then seem to be inclusive within acceptable areas for SSc5.1.
Thank you,
Tristan Roberts
RepresentativeVermont House of Representatives
LEEDuser Expert
11474 thumbs up
July 25, 2014 - 1:20 am
Donald, it seems to me that this should be able to help you earn the credit. However, to comment on it in a meaningful way I would ask how you are setting your LEED boundaries and how you would calculate credit compliance?
Donald Green
Sr Project Manager / Operations ManagerProgressive AE
35 thumbs up
July 25, 2014 - 6:44 am
Tristan,
The landbank is outside of the Project's LEED Boundary however still within the overall contiguous campus boundary. Using Case 2 and per a couple LI's - this still allows us to use the 50% or 20% rule which ever is larger. In this case the 20% of site including building footprint is larger so that area is what we would be using. We will show that much area from the landbank and dedicate it for this project.
Thank you,