Samples to be tested must be taken from soils that are disturbed and will be revegetated. Restored soil must meet existing soil attributes. Documentation for this credit according to the reference guide is the reference soil characteristics and test results. LEED Online upload states to provide information on the existing reference soil characteristics, as well as the results of the basic soils test(s) to demonstrate the qualities of the restored soils.
I had originally read this to mean that both existing and restored soils must be tested.
This is a design credit and so restored soils are not yet available to test when design credits are submitted.
So my take is to test existing soils, and show that specifications for the restored soils will meet the tested existing soil attributes. Is that correct?
Tristan Roberts
RepresentativeVermont House of Representatives
LEEDuser Expert
11478 thumbs up
December 21, 2017 - 1:52 pm
Sue, I agree with your interpretation. Sometimes LEED's designation of a credit as a "Design" credit doesn't match up with specific or even common circumstances of documentation. I would just submit it under Construction here.
Sue Bryant
engineerNoresco
9 thumbs up
December 21, 2017 - 2:03 pm
I suggested to submit as design credit, with testing for existing soils, and a specification for restored soils, to meet the credit. Are you suggesting to submit as a constriction credit and test both the existing and restored soils?
Thanks
Tristan Roberts
RepresentativeVermont House of Representatives
LEEDuser Expert
11478 thumbs up
December 21, 2017 - 2:15 pm
Oh, I see. Yes, that makes sense to me. The good thing with that approach is that you can always revisit in your Construction submission if necessary.
Sue Bryant
engineerNoresco
9 thumbs up
December 21, 2017 - 2:34 pm
Ok that is a good plan.
Thanks
Allison Smith
Sustainable Design LeaderHKS, Inc.
42 thumbs up
March 19, 2019 - 4:59 pm
Sue,
Was that approach successful?
Thanks