Sustainable Sites Initiative
On November 10th, the Sustainable Sites Initiative will release the Guidelines and Performance Benchmarks Draft 2008 for publiccomment. This important milestone builds on the initial Standards and Guidelines: Preliminary Report released in November of last yearand will focus on measuring a site’s ability to protect, restore and regenerate sites by harnessing ecosystem services – benefitsprovided by natural ecosystems such as cleaner air and water, climate regulation and health benefits.
The new draft will contain over 50 proposed prerequisites and credits ranging from site selection to sustainable maintenance practices. The metrics’ format will be similar to existing LEED tools in structure and will include the following components:
Credit intent
Ecosystem services addressed
Social and economic benefits
Requirements
Submittal documentation
Technologies and strategies
Resources
The Guidelines and Performance Benchmarks Draft 2008 will be available for download and public comment beginning on November 10, 2008at www.sustainablesites.org/report. The public comment period will close January 20, 2009.
Public review and comment is essential to the successful development of these guidelines and performance-based benchmarks. As part ofthe ongoing development effort, the Initiative invites you to join the review process by visiting: www.sustainablesites.org/review.
The Sustainable Sites Initiative is an interdisciplinary partnership working to foster a transformation in land development andmanagement practices. Through the creation and implementation of clear and rigorous design, construction, operations, and maintenancecriteria, the Initiative aims to supplement existing green building and landscape guidelines as well as to become a stand-alone toolfor site sustainability. The U.S. Green Building Council, a major stakeholder in the Initiative, anticipates incorporating thebenchmarks into future versions of the LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building RatingSystem.
The Sustainable Sites Initiative envisions that sustainable land practices will enable natural and built systems to work together toprotect and enhance the ability of landscapes to provide services such as climate regulation, clean air and water, and improved qualityof life.
