Rating System

LEED BD+C: New Construction

Rating System Version

v2 - LEED 2.0

Inquiry

Proposed Innovation Credit: Design to Minimize Impact on Avian Migration Introduction: As we understand and interpret the LEED 2.0 Green Building Rating System addresses and rewards the restoration of natural habitat in the Reduce Site Disturbance credit and protects nocturnal animal habitat in Light Pollution Reduction but leaves addressing broader natural habitat protection because the subject is so diverse. Background: Because of the height and expanse of the building and it\'s location on the shore of the Hudson River, the building was suspect of interfering with water foul migratory habits and paths. As such the building its self could cause the death or injury to local birds in migration. Advance Innovation Credit Interpretation Request: In addition to structural and energy performance criteria for selecting the curtain wall glazing, reducing the potential damage and danger to migrating birds was set as prerequisite criteria. As a result, the glazing selected for the building curtain wall was specifically selected for its performance attributes that will significantly reduce the negative effect the building glazing will have on migrating birds. Because the LEED credits do not specifically address this regional and local environmental and habitat protection concern as recognized by the Audubon Society, we are intending to submit our activity regarding minimizing impact on avian migration as an innovation credit as allowed by the rating system. We would like the USGBC to accept and approve this green building strategy as an innovation credit in advance on the grounds that the intent is in line with the overall goals and objectives of the rating system as evidenced by the recognition of habitat protection and restoration as a green building attribute in the rating system, but that protection of avian migration and other local environmental protection issues could not be specifically addressed or rewarded in the rating system established credits or points. Intent/Requirements/Documentation: The intent of our Design to Minimize Impact on Avian Migration innovation credit is to promote the incorporation of design strategies and technologies in buildings that protect avian and other migratory habits and environments. The requirements we will impose on ourselves will be to select and install building curtain wall glazing that will significantly reduce the negative effect the building glazing will have on migrating birds. The documentation we will compile and submit will include documentation of the issue as recognized by the Audubon Society, documentation recognizing the issue as a design concern during project development and subsequent design criteria adoption, a narrative establishing the glazing performance characteristics that minimize the impact on avian migration, and captures of contract document section that document that the installed glazing meets the performance criteria.