Rating System

LEED BD+C: New Construction

Rating System Version

v2 - LEED 2.2

Inquiry

Our project consists of the renovation of an existing research building. The building is located less than 100 ft from a wetland. The parking for the building is located with 70 ft of the wetland.\n\nThe wetland area is completely degraded, and we propose to improve its condition.\n1. The wetland is cut off from reliable water supply. Decades of development have interposed roads and buildings around the wetland, blocking the storm water flow. It is not possible to recreate original conditions; water flow from adjacent areas, even if re-directed (which would not be possible), would carry pollutants.\n2. The wetland is overgrown with invasive plants. As part of the project these plants will be removed, and native plants will be planted.\n3. The wetland is polluted:\na. The underground fuel oil tank leaked outside the building, and under the slab. The project involves cleaning the outside areas, as well as removing the saturated oils from the underslab.\nb. The wetland has trash thrown in it. As part of the project the trash will be removed.\nc. The current building directs roof runoff into the wetland, without removing the particulates. As part of the project we propose to direct stormwater from the building roofs to manholes that are located around the wetland. The manholes will be used to allow sediment to settle at the bottom, so that the flow of water to the wetland is cleaned. The removal of such sediment will be part of the regular maintenance. (Note: The wetland needs the roof runoff, because adjacent development has long ago cut it from what used to be natural runoff. This natural runoff cannot be re-established due to the developments.)\nd. Storm water from the current parking area flows directly into the wetland. The project will interpose swales to clean the storm water before reaching the wetland.\n\nUsing these strategies, an area that now has no biological value will start its recovery.\n\nConsidering the wetland restoration strategies, can the project obtain the Site Selection point even though it is closer than 100 ft from the wetland? Also, if the project decides to incorporate the wetland into its LEED boundary, can the project obtain the Site Selection point?