P2.2: Conduct a Pre-Design Site Assessment

(Required)

INTENT

Maximize the opportunities for beneficial site performance by conducting an accurate and detailed assessment of site conditions and exploring options for sustainable outcomes prior to design.

REQUIREMENTS

With the integrated design team (see Pre-Design P2.1: Use an integrative design process), collect and assess information about the site to help identify opportunities to protect and improve ecosystem services and use sustainable strategies to guide the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of the site:

• Map and assess existing site conditions and resources according to the outline in the Submittal documentation section.
  • Not all topics in the outline apply to every site, and each site may contain additional important unique elements that are not explicitly addressed here. Include additional topics not listed, if any, and provide reasons for not addressing certain topics.
• Collect additional information on the site and surrounding areas to assess opportunities for sustainable site outcomes, including all non-physical influences that may affect the site design, and potential effects of the design.
• Explain how the identified site conditions and resources will influence the sustainable design of the site.

Note: For potential Rating System implications regarding the following site assessment topics, see the associated prerequisites and credits listed in the right-hand column of the outline.

Topic	Description	Prerequisite or Credit #
1. Site Context—community and connectivity (mapped information)	Existing or planned pedestrian, bicycle, or transit including:Nearby transit routes and stops Bicycle lanes and shared lane markings Bicycle racks/storage Bicycle network	C1.7, C6.5, C6.9
2. A. Water (mapped information)(continued)	100-year floodplain, as determined by FEMA (or local equivalent for projects outside the United States)	P1.2
	Delineated aquatic ecosystem, including isolated wetlands	P1.3
	Wetland, shoreline, or riparian buffers	P1.3, C3.6
	Artificially modified streams, wetlands, or shorelines (e.g., buried, piped, drained, channelized, bulkheaded, armored)Determine existing conditions, dimensions, and historic extent.	C3.6
	Overland water flow on siteDetermine topography, direction, and effects on the watershed, including natural rates of erosion.	P3.1, C3.3, C3.6, P7.2
	Pollution sourcesExisting and potential Point and nonpoint sources Health hazards, both on-site and in adjacent areas	C1.5, C3.3, P7.2
2. B. Water (narrative information)	PrecipitationAverage annual precipitation Average monthly precipitation	P3.1, P3.2, C3.3, C3.4, C3.5
	Watershed conditionsCommon stormwater pollutants Specific pollutants of concern Local, regional, or state watershed plans Artificial modification of natural hydrology	P1.2, P3.1, C3.3, C3.5, C3.6
	Water sourcesPotable and non-potable water sources for the site Opportunities to capture, treat, and reuse rainwater and graywater	P3.2, C3.3, C3.4, C3.5
3. A. Soils (mapped information)	FarmlandSoils defined by U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service (or local equivalent for projects outside the United States) as prime farmland, unique farmland, farmland of statewide importance, or farmland of local importance.	P1.1
	Healthy soils	P4.1, C4.4, P7.3
	Soils disturbed by previous developmentDegree of disturbance (disturbed or severely disturbed soils)	C7.4

3. B. Reference Conditions for Soils and Vegetation (narrative information)	Reference soil (test results or verified allowable ranges)Organic matter (required) Compaction (field test or undisturbed core sample only) ORInfiltration (field test only) Soil chemical characteristics ORSoil biological function	P4.1, C6.7, P7.3, C7.4
	EPA level III ecoregionMajor native plant community types of the ecoregion based on the U.S. EPA (or local equivalent for projects outside the United States), www.epa.gov/wed/pages/ecoregions/level_iii_iv.htm	C4.6, C4.7
	Terrestrial biomeUse the World Wildlife Fund Wildfinder, www.worldwildlife.org/science/wildfinder/	C4.8
	On-site food productionFollow local, state, and federal regulations to ensure existing and imported soils are healthy for food production and are safe for physical contact by general public. For previously developed sites, brownfield sites, or sites that have been subject to application of chlorinated pesticides and herbicides, the following actions may need to be conducted to ensure soil safety:Certified environmental professional assessment Soil contamination reports (follow local, state, and federal regulations) Tests for lead, arsenic, other heavy metals or chemicals of potential concern that may be found in the site area either on site or from airborne pollutants (via certified environmental labs) Potential plant requirements (e.g., exposure, irrigation) Community involvement possibilities	C6.7
4. A. Vegetation (mapped information)	Habitats for threatened or endangered speciesExisting and potential habitats for threatened or endangered plant and animal species Federal or state threatened or endangered lists International Union for Conservation of Nature “Red List of Threatened Species”	P1.4, P2.3
	Total existing vegetated area	C4.4, C4.6, C4.7, C4.8

4. A. Vegetation (mapped information, continued)	Invasive plantsListed by regional, state, or federal entities	P4.2
	Native plants and native plant communitiesFor trees, note diameter at breast height (DBH).	C4.6, C4.7
	Appropriate plant species	P4.3, C4.4
	Special status plantsFor trees, note DBH.	C4.5
	Risk of catastrophic wildfireOn-site areas and adjacent landscapes at risk	C4.11
4. B. Materials Inventory (mapped information)	Existing materials and site elementsNote materials, structures, and paving that could be safely retained, salvaged or reused, or recycled.	C5.2, C5.4, C7.5, C7.6
4. C. Materials, Plants, Soils, and Labor Procurement (narrative information)	Potential suppliers of salvaged or reused materialsLocal sites or suppliers that may have materials and appropriate vegetation	C5.4
	Potential suppliers of recycled materials	C5.5
	Potential suppliers of regional and local materialsMaterials, plants, and soils that are extracted, manufactured, or grown within the region	C5.6, C6.11
	Potential suppliers of sustainable extracted materialsMaterials that are responsibly extracted from the earth in ways that protect ecosystems, respect cultural and community values, and improve land use	C5.7
	Potential suppliers of safer alternative materialsMaterials that have disclosed chemical inventories, chemical hazard assessments, or use safer chemical alternatives	C5.8
	Potential sustainable materials manufacturersMaterials manufacturers that actively implement better business practices to reduce negative impacts on human health and the environment	C5.9
	Potential sustainable plant producersPlant nurseries that actively implement better business practices to reduce negative impacts to human health and the environment	C5.10
	Potential local workforce and businesses	C6.11

5. Human Use of Site (mapped information)	Access to basic servicesNearby shops, services, and facilities that have pedestrian access Walking distances from planned project entrance	C1.6
	Historic buildings, structures, objects, and cultural landscapesNote whether these are listed in a historic register. Note significance to local culture and history.	C6.1
	Unique or interesting site featuresView corridors Site landmarks Large shade trees Water features (natural or created)	C6.2, C6.4, C6.5, C6.6
6. A. Climate and Energy (mapped information)	Microclimate considerationsPositive sounds or excessive noises Wind direction Sun exposure (sun angles) and shading opportunities Any other unique microclimate factors that may affect site design decisions, building orientation, and plant selection	C4.10, C4.11, C6.4, C6.5, C6.6
	Passive or active energy generation opportunitiese.g., wind, solar, geothermal, low-impact hydro	C8.6
6. B. Energy (narrative information)	Renewable energy source contract opportunitiesGreen power contracts Carbon offsets	C8.6
7. Additional Considerations (any site-specific conditions not included above)

RECOMMENDED STRATEGIES

• Consult with local experts and the community to evaluate existing site conditions and identify sustainable strategies prior to design.
• Evaluate the impact a design approach may have on sustainability during construction, operations, and maintenance (e.g., pruning requirements, deadheading to maintain formalized designs and uses of plants, water use requirements).

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