My project is looking to pursue the LPE streamlined path for this credit, but the template on LEED Online is not populating properly. What documentation do I need to upload if I am pursuing this path? Just the site plan showing all on-site natural areas contributing to credit achievement and highlighting areas of native/adaptive vegetation or other ecologically appropriate features as well as the erosion and sedimentation control measures implemented on site? Or do I need to include additional documentation? Please clarify.
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Lisa Marshall
Sustainability ManagerDNV KEMA Energy & Sustainability
61 thumbs up
July 26, 2010 - 12:30 pm
Hi Heather: Typically the contractor is the professional who would sign off on this credit. As the Civil engineer is the professional who sets up the erosion and sediment BMP's and the contractor must follow these BMP's. Typically you would upload the civil drawings showing the erosion and sediment control measures and as construction is being done, the contractor takes photographs to prove the procedures were followed. The photographs are uploaded as proof. This credit is one of the easier credits to document, so I would recommend against the LPE route. The following is a post from Tristan Roberts regarding LPE in general that's posted elsewhere on the forum:
The Licensed Professional Exemption is basically a streamlined documentation path that is available for certain credits, particularly design-oriented credits where a licensed professional such as a Landscape Architect or a P.E. would be in a position to judge whether the project is compliance. In most credits this option is not available due to the nature of the credit, e.g. an MR credit that requires actual tracking of purchases.
It basically involves substituting the signature of a professional for some portion of the usual documentation. This is shown in LEED Online in the relevant credits.
Unfortunately, USGBC or GBCI have not released much information on the LPE path, such as a list of the credits where it's an option, and general guidance on using the exemption. There is a small amount of info on it in the LEED Reference Guide.
The benefit of the LPE path is obvious—efficiency. The downside is that in order to feel confidence signing off on a credit, the professional may need to develop all the documentation that LEED would require, anyway, and instead of putting their professional authority on the line, they might as well simply submit the documentation.