It’s usually best to include this credit in the civil engineer’s scope of work, and include its requirements in the contract language. If the civil engineer does the permitting for stormwater, some of the same criteria will be researched, and the few additional items should not be difficult for them to assess. 

If your project does not meet all the criteria, check to see if the project footprint can be adjusted to avoid development in sensitive areas. For example, if a portion of your site is located within 100 feet of wetlands, do not develop on that portion of the site. Instead of having a larger building footprint, build up, with a smaller footprint.

If the project site is already selected, start researching each of the credit criteria to see if any part of the development—buildings, hardscape, roads or parking areas—impacts sensitive areas as defined by the credit language. Refer to the sections below for each of the main credit criteria. 

Look for urban infill sites, which are most likely to meet the credit requirements and which can help you earn a number of other LEED Sustainable Sites credits (especially SSc2, SSc4.1, SSc4.2, and SSc4.4). 

If your project site has not yet been selected, use the credit criteria to select an environmentally appropriate site that will comply with the credit. Research site options as part of your normal due diligence. Do not develop sensitive areas of the site, or areas bordering on sensitive areas. 

Avoid using carpet near entryways or areas where water and dirt may be tracked into the building. Installing permanent entryways helps to limit the amount of moisture that gets into the building and can contribute to earning IEQc5: Indoor Chemical and Pollutant Source Control.

Remember that any material can collect dust and thus provide a medium for mold growth, so keep both dust and moisture away from all materials as much as possible.

When designing the building, remember that in the presence of oxygen or moisture, mold can grow on any organic material—wood, paper, drywall or insulation. This does not mean you must avoid using these materials, but you should pay close attention to these areas. For example, if you install vinyl wallpaper, a vapor barrier, you are trapping moisture beneath the wallpaper, which may cause mold that cannot be seen.

Design the building to avoid infiltration of air and water, and to avoid trapping moisture. Use material assemblies that are not susceptible to mold growth. See LEEDuser’s strategy on air barriers for tips on design and construction with these goals in mind.

You are required control RH during unoccupied hours, such as summertime, because any inactive times where RH might not be controlled, allows for mold buildup in the HVAC system and duct work.