Rating System

LEED BD+C: New Construction

Rating System Version

v2 - LEED 2.0

Inquiry

Permanent Conservation Easement The following proposal is aimed at achieving one point and fulfilling the requirements of Innovation in Design Credit 1.1. Intent: To set aside a portion of the site relative to the building footprint as a permanent conservation easement. Requirements: Exceed the requirements of LEED Credit 5.2 by designing the site to provide a specific area designated as a conservation easement, which is a portion of the "open space" area that already qualifies for LEED Credit 5.2. This conservation easement area shall be at minimum equal to 65% of the building footprint. The conservation easement must be protected from use by persons on site. Protection measures shall include a barrier such as a fence restricting access to the area. Signage shall also be employed stating that the area is as a conservation easement, and notifying that mowing or other land disturbance within its boundaries is prohibited. Limited access is allowed to the area for infrequent need such as to remove litter or retrieve an errant Frisbee. The space within the easement must either remain as virgin undisturbed land, or if disturbed must incorporate initial indigenous planting. The conservation easement must be a single contiguous area and may not be calculated as the addition of more than one easement area. Submittals: - Certification Letter Provide a letter from the building owner verifying that the area will be maintained as a permanent conservation easement. - Drawings Provide site drawings showing the building footprint and the location of the conservation easement. Include all drawings and specification necessary to demonstrate barriers, signage, and plantings related to the easement area. - Calculations Provide calculations demonstrating that the conservation easement is at minimum equal to 65% of the building footprint. Provide square footage for both areas. Calculations may be noted on the submitted drawings. Design Approach: To create a conservation easement on site the project team must first strive to keep the building footprint and related site work to a minimum size. By minimizing these components the environment benefits by potentially reducing run-off, energy use during construction, and heat island effect. Secondly the project team should determine the maximum area that is not absolutely necessary to meet the project goals. Planning the site can help consolidate these areas into a large contiguous area. Site planning should also consider pedestrian and vehicular traffic patterns within the site and site adjacencies to determine the best location for a conservation easement. Inspection of the site should include scrutiny of the planned conservation easement area and indigenous planting should be scheduled as necessary. Narrative: There are multiple environmental benefits to inclusion of a conservation easement on a project site, which go above and beyond those of merely providing "open space" in LEED Credit 5.2. Open space can always be developed at a later date following completion of the project, while a conservation easement requires a permanent commitment to maintaining the land solely for conservation. The obvious benefits are direct functions of the easement. Air and water pollution is reduced by the natural ability of the planting and planted soils to process, filter and remove toxins. A conservation easement can provide habitats for multiple species. Different species of native wildlife are accommodated by different spaces in various locations. Whether the habitat supports birds, woodland animals, lizards, or any other creatures, all contribute to the environmental goal of maintaining habitats for biodiversity. In addition to the direct functions of the conservation easement, a major benefit is gained given that the easement is integrated into a place where we live or work. Remote and uninhabited areas that are designated for conservation have perpetuated a perspective that people should be outside of nature. This view asserts that people\'s presence alone precludes the ability to provide positive environmental impact. The awareness of the environmental goals of the integrated conservation easement will be evident to those around it and may help foster an attitude of stewardship to the environment in lieu of ambivalence to an environment perceived as being outside of their frame of reference.