It is my understanding, that though one can choose to quote a CIR for equal treatment under a specific credit, CIR's do not constitute a formal part of a credit requirement.
Specifically, we are pursuing LEED schools 2007, credit SSc5.1 for Protect or Restore Habitat. The credit language in the reference guide makes no distinction between lawns and native or adaptive vegetation. The (only) errata available for this LEED version does not add any requirements to the credit language.
In the preliminary comments for our Construction Review--in which we are not anticipated to receive the credit--the reviewer noted "Per previous LEED Interpretations, lawn is acceptable if it: a) is not a monoculture; b) does not require regular maintenance or mowing, and c) does not include any non-native/adaptive species."
Though i understand the new versions of LEED and the intention to have lawns included only if they promote biodiversity etc., this is not part of the requirement of the LEED version we are signed up for.
Can any of you tell me if CIR's can actually be held as part of the credit requierements, or if only the Reference Guide and Addenda/Errata are the formal documents to go by?
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Hernando Miranda
OwnerSoltierra LLC
344 thumbs up
March 27, 2013 - 3:46 pm
The reference you got does not originate with a LEED Interpretation or CIR. The reference comes from the LEED Reference Guide in the Potential Technologies & Strategies section:
"Native/adapted plants require minimal or no irrigation following establishment, do not require active maintenance such as mowing or chemical inputs such as fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides, and provide habitat value and promote biodiversity through avoidance of monoculture plantings."
For SSc5.1 native and adaptive applies. For SSc5.2 regulate planting can be claimed.