SSc1: Site Assessment – Above Green

(1 point)

Intent

To assess site conditions before design to evaluate sustainable options and inform related decisions about site design.

Requirements

Complete and document a site survey or assessment¹ that includes the following information:

Topography.

Contour mapping
Unique topographic features
Slope stability risks

Hydrology.

Special Flood Hazard Areas (SPFHA) as determined by FEMA’s Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) (or local equivalent for projects outside the U.S.)
Delineated natural water bodies wetlands, lakes, streams, and shorelines (refer to U.S. EPA’s Clean Water Act or local equivalent for projects outside the U.S.)
Rainwater collection and reuse opportunities
Impervious and pervious surfaces within the site boundary

Climate.

Solar exposure and shading opportunities
Heat island effect potential
Seasonal sun angles
Prevailing winds
Average monthly precipitation and temperature ranges

Vegetation.

Primary vegetation types
Greenfield area
Significant tree mapping
Federal or state threatened or endangered species lists; for projects outside the U.S., International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened

Species

Invasive plant species listed by regional, state, or federal entities
EPA Level III ecoregion description (or local equivalent)

Soils.

Natural Resources Conservation Service soils delineation (or local equivalent for projects outside the U.S.)
U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service (or local equivalent for projects outside the United States) prime farmland, unique farmland, farmland of statewide importance, or farmland of local importance
Healthy soils
Previous development
Disturbed soils

Human use.

Views
Adjacent transportation infrastructure, bicycle network, and bicycle storage
Adjacent diverse uses
Construction materials with existing recycle or reuse potential

Human health effects.

Proximity of vulnerable populations
Adjacent physical activity opportunities
Proximity to major sources of air and water pollution

The survey or assessment should demonstrate the relationships between the site features and topics listed above and how these features influenced the project design; give the reasons for not addressing any of those topics.

¹ Components adapted from the Sustainable Sites Initiative: Guidelines and Performance Benchmarks 2009, Prerequisite 2.1: Site Assessment.