SENSITIVE LAND PROTECTION (LT CREDIT): Study Guide

A. Background
a. What is the Sensitive Land Protection Credit?
i. A Local and Transportation credit that focuses on:
1. Environmentally sensitive lands
2. Buildings environmental impact on site
b. What is the intent?
i. To avoid the development of environmentally sensitive lands and reduce the
environmental impact from the location of a building on a site.
c. How many points can you get? 1 -2 points
d. What does it apply to?
i. New Construction | 1 point
vi. Warehouses and Distribution Centers |
ii. Core and Shell | 2 points
1 point
iii. Schools | 1 point
vii. Hospitality | 1 point
iv. Retail | 1 point
viii. Healthcare | 1 point
v. Data Centers | 1 point
e. Why apply this credit?
i. Ecologically sensitive lands benefit the environment and human health
ii. Developing these lands harms the ecosystem
iii. Environmental consequences can be lessened by:
iv. Building on a previously developed site and limiting the new footprint to the
previous one
v. Encourages reuse of infrastructure
vi. Encourages investment in existing neighborhoods
B. Requirements
a. Option 1: Locate development footprint* on land that has been previously developed
* The development footprint is the total area of the building footprint + area affected
by development or by project site activity; hardscape, access roads, parking lots, nonbuilding facilities, and the building itself are all included in the development footprint.
b. Option 2:
Sensitive Land

Prime Soil

Floor Hazard Area

Threatened or Endangered
Habitat

Avoidance
Do not locate on land consisting of
prime soils, unique soils, or soils of
state significance as identified in a
state Natural Resources
Conservation Soil Survey or local
equivalent.
Locate on a site that is entirely
outside of any flood hazard area
shown on a legally adopted flood
hazard map OR
Locate on a site that is entirely
outside of land in a floodplain
subject to a 1% or greater chance
of flooding in any given year.
Do not locate on land specifically
identified as habitat for any species
on federal, state, provincial or
regional threatened or
endangered lists.

Mitigation
Locate on an infill site. OR
Locate within a designated receiving
area for development rights. OR
Purchase or donate easements
providing permanent protection from
development on land with comparable
soils.
Design the building to meet the
American Society of Civil Engineers
Standard or the National Flood
Insurance Program (NFIP).

Comply with an approved Habitat

Conservation Plan under the
Endangered Species Act, or local
equivalent standard outside the U.S., for
each identified species or ecological
community.

Water Bodies

Do not locate on or within 100 feet

(30 meters) of a water body.

Do not locate on or within 50 feet

(15 meters) of a wetland.

Wetlands

Do not locate the development footprint

on the water body, and either of the
following: Locate on an infill site. OR
Follow the same mitigation requirement
as those for wetlands.
Do not locate the development footprint
on the wetland. AND Earn at least 1
point under SS Credit Rainwater
Management.
Impacts on wetlands are prohibited
except for minimal impact structures,
such as an elevated boardwalk or the
in-kind replacement of existing structures
that protrude into the wetlands.

C. Step-by-Step Guidance
1. Identify previously developed land on site
2. Prioritize development of previously developed land
3. Determine location of prime farmland
4. Determine location of floor hazard areas
5. Determine location of threatened or endangered species habitat
6. Determine location of wetlands and water bodies
7. Located development footprint to avoid any sensitive areas
8. Undertake only approved minor improvements around wetlands and water bodies
D. Credit Tips
a. How can this credit help other related ones?
i. LT: High-Priority Site
1. Listed areas increases the likelihood of avoiding sensitive areas
2. Brownfield remediation activities listed in option are accepted as minor
improvements (wetland + water body buffers)
ii. LT: Surrounding Density and Diverse Uses
1. Locating footprint away from sensitive areas increases likelihood of being
near dense zones or near diverse uses
iii. LT: Reduced Parking Footprint
1. Limiting development area can help reduce land available for parking
iv. SS: Site Assessment
1. Features related to this LT credit that need protection can be identified
during assessment
2. This can help identify protection measures
v. SS: Rainwater Management
1. Sensitive land that is left undisturbed can be used to manage runoff
vi. SS: Site Development Protect or Restore Habitat
1. Undeveloped or sensitive land left undisturbed on project site can count
towards 40% greenfield protection