SS Credit 5.1: Site Development: Protect or Restore Habitat
1 Point
Intent
Conserve existing natural areas and restore damaged areas to provide
habitat and promote biodiversity.
Requirements
OPTION 1
On greenfield sites, limit all site disturbance to 40 feet beyond
the building perimeter; 10 feet beyond surface
walkways, patios, surface parking and utilities less than 12 inches
in diameter; 15 feet beyond primary roadway
curbs and main utility branch trenches; and 25 feet beyond
constructed areas with permeable surfaces (such as
pervious paving areas, stormwater detention facilities and playing
fields) that require additional staging areas in
order to limit compaction in the constructed area.
OR
OPTION 2
On previously developed or graded sites, restore or protect a
minimum of 50% of the site area (excluding the
building footprint) with native or adapted vegetation.
Native/adapted plants are plants indigenous to a locality or
cultivars of native plants that are adapted to the local climate and
are not considered invasive species or noxious
weeds. Projects earning SS Credit 2 and using vegetated roof
surfaces may apply the vegetated roof surface to
this calculation if the plants meet the definition of
native/adapted.
Greenfield sites are those that are not previously developed or
graded and remain in a natural state. Previously developed
sites are those that previously contained buildings, roadways,
parking lots, or were graded or altered by direct
human activities.
Potential Technologies & Strategies
On greenfield sites, perform a site survey to identify site elements
and adopt a master plan for development of the
project site. Carefully site the building to minimize disruption to
existing ecosystems and design the building to
minimize its footprint. Strategies include stacking the building
program, tuck-under parking and sharing facilities
with neighbors. Establish clearly marked construction boundaries to
minimize disturbance of the existing
site and restore previously degraded areas to their natural state.
For previously developed sites, utilize local and
regional governmental agencies, consultants, educational facilities,
and native plant societies as resources for the
selection of appropriate native or adapted plant materials. Prohibit
plant materials listed as invasive or noxious
weed species. 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.
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