TOPIC: 100\' WETLAND CRITERION Regarding the wetland criterion for this credit, the LEED-NC 2.1 Reference Guide states that no "buildings, roads or parking areas" are permitted to be developed within the wetland zone. However, the recently published LEED-NC 2.1 Audited Credit Requirements and the CIR ruling from 7-21-03 both refer to "buildings" only with no mention of roads or parking. Our project is a corporate campus consisting of three buildings on a large site. The site is bisected by five drainage ways and associated wetland systems. The buildings and parking areas have been kept clear of the 100\' wetland zone (including the master planning of possible future buildings and parking.) However, road infringement on this zone was unavoidable for access to the site. Furthermore, the entry location to the site was mandated by the Virginia Department of Transportation. Meanwhile, the project implemented a number of strategies to provide and protect wetland areas. Although we understand that created wetlands are not adequate substitutes for disturbed areas, we believe that the project strategies meet the intent of this credit. These strategies include re-vegetating over 2.5 acres of existing emergent wetlands and creating over 5.6 acres of forested wetlands onsite. The project also restored a minimum 50\' riparian buffer along over 1,500 linear feet of stream channels disturbed by timbering activities under previous ownership. Finally, the project dedicated approx. 9.7 acres of wetlands onsite to a Conservation Easement to be protected from development for perpetuity. Considering the careful wetland strategies, will our project be disqualified for the road location?
Locating a road within 100\' of a wetland area disqualifies your project from achieving this credit. The credit\'s requirement language is clear that this standard be applied to "buildings, roads, or parking areas." The CIR ruling that you cite, dated 7/21/03, does not address roads because roads were not included in the question asked. This should not be interpreted to mean that roads or parking areas are exempt from credit requirements. The recently published LEED-NC 2.1 Audited Credit Requirements does not state that roads are exempt. This credit ruling is also supported by CIR rulings dated 4/17/03, 5/3/05 and 7/21/2003. The restoration strategies your team has taken are commendable and you should consider their applicability to credit 5.