Rating System

LEED BD+C: New Construction, LEED O+M: Existing Buildings, LEED BD+C: Core and Shell, LEED BD+C: Schools

Rating System Version

v3 - LEED 2009, v3 - LEED 2008, v2 - Schools 2007, v2 - LEED 2.2, v2 - LEED 2.1, v2 - LEED 2.0

Inquiry

Some LEED projects sites might include areas which the owner desires to not graded, and plans to restore with landscaping and dedicate as open space. If the project owner decides to do the following items listed below can the space be excluded from the stormwater treatment requirements of this credit? (1) The part of their site is not developed or graded, and was not mass graded by a prior owner. (2) The part of their site is dedicated as open space, and restored if necessary. (3) The part of their site is dedicated as open space, and directly connects to other natural open space thereby increasing native habitat areas. (4) Stormwater runoff from the developed part of the site is fully treated to meet the requirements of this credit. If the above is not enough, what other measures would the project need to undertake to avoid intercepting stormwater from a natural, dedicated open space area simply to treat it to earn this LEED point? Intercepting storm water from such an area as the one described simply to treat it and earn this LEED point would be very harmful to the intent of increasing biodiversity by dedicating and restoring natural open space. If treatment must occur in such spaces then owners would be more likely to develop the area than to dedicate and restore it.