Consider what needs the contractor may have for staging areas and site access. You may want to provide dedicated areas for delivery and storage of building materials. Consulting with a contractor at this early stage can make it easier to achieve the credit.

The site plan with a clearly defined boundary for minimized site disturbance should include the installation of fencing or other barriers to the non-disturbance area. 

Create a site plan that delineates the development boundaries. You have the option to provide the site map to document LEED credit compliance, or your contractor can sign the LEED Online credit form saying that the credit requirements were met. Either way, you will want to create a site map with clearly defined limits of site disturbance.

Case 1: Greenfield Sites

If your facility does not divert landscaping waste from the waste stream, work with landscaping staff and vendors to either compost or mulch waste onsite, or work with off-site facilities.

If your building sends landscape waste to an off-site facility that diverts the waste from landfill disposal through composting or mulching, you meet the credit requirements.

Landscape waste

The E&S controls program for both ongoing operations and construction activities should be adopted in its entirety. The incremental improvements that are applicable landscape waste and fertilizer use are not applicable to this component of the SSc3 plan.

Native and adapted species typically require less watering and maintenance, saving operational costs as well as the cost of installing irrigation equipment. 

Depending on the extent and types of invasive species, the removal of non-native and aggressive species could be costly. If your invasive species need eradication, monitoring, and constant control, you could be looking at an expensive investment. However, removing those plants will improve the local ecosystem and possibly avoid irreversible damage to your land and greater community. See the Resources section for more details.