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.
