Sustainable Sites

What does the use of light-colored, pervious paving help with? (Choose 2) A. Heat island reduction B. Habitat conservation C. Open space D. Rainwater management

A. Heat island reduction D. Rainwater management

What design strategy would promote biodiversity the most? A. Planting a variety of indigenous plants B. Increasing open space and covering it with turf grass C. Installing a rock garden D. Installing a dry pond planted with invasive plants

A. Planting a variety of indigenous plants

What term also means site area? A. Property area B. Development footprint C. Lot D. Building footprint

A. Property area

The design team of a 28,000 sq. ft. public school hopes to achieve SS Credit Rainwater Management in the LEED-NC Rating System. Incorporating which of the following green building elements into the design would aid the team in achieving this credit? (Choose three) A. constructed wetland B. solar hot water system C. vegetated roof D. infiltration basin E. high-albedo concrete

A. constructed wetland C. vegetated roof D. infiltration basin

The heat island effect can contribute what ambient temperature increase: A. 5 degrees F B. 10 degrees F C. 15 degrees F D. 20 degrees F

B. 10 degrees F

What plan is required for this category?

Erosion / Sedimentation Control Plan (ESC)

To obtain the protect/restore habitat ... how much of greenfield area should be preserved?

40%

BUG Rating

"Backlight", "Uplight" and "Glare." Know how to read table (Slide 80 in Sustainable Sites)

Solar Reflectance Index (SRI)

- measure of a material's ability to reject solar heat. - calculated by inserting both emissivity and reflectance values (100 is MOST reflective - LARGE SRI is good!)

Ways to improve rainwater management?

- smaller building footprint - green roofs - pervious paving - reuse stormwater - bioswales, vegetated filter strips - retention ponds - cluster development to reduce paved surfaces

Strategies for open space on site?

- stacking the building program - tuck-under parking - share amenities, such as parking with neighbors

How many points?

10 points

What is a land trust?

A private, nonprofit organization that, as all or part of its mission, actively works to conserve land by undertaking or assisting in conservation easement or land acquisition, or by its stewardship of such land or easements (Adapted from Land Trust Alliance)

The area of a project site that is used by the building structure, defined by the perimeter of the building plan is the: A. Building footprint B. Building envelope C. Development footprint D. Building shell

A. Building footprint

A project owner is locating an office building on a greenfield near a wetland. The project team has goals of protecting sensitive ecosystems, reducing the heat-island effect, designing a healthy building, and reducing energy demand. Given these goals, where should the project team start? A. By completing an early site assessment B. By determining if a demand response program is available from the local utility company C. By finding out if the owner can lease a renewable energy system D. By sourcing local materials

A. By completing an early site assessment

In a set of documents, where would you find the limit line for site disturbance? A. Civil Plan B. Architectural Plan

A. Civil Plan

What is a greenfield area?

Area that has not been graded, compacted, cleared, or disturbed and that supports (or could support) open space, habitat, or natural hydrology.

A project site in an urban area has already been selected by an owner. The team is researching how it can reduce the heat-island effect and have open space at the lowest cost. Which of the following should be considered for a rooftop design? A. A roof covered with high SRI material B. An extensive vegetated roof C. An intensive vegetated roof D. A built -up roof

B. An extensive vegetated roof

Which of the following actions can a project team take to help manage runoff on-site in a dense urban area? (Choose 2) A. Design all parking under the building B. Harvest rainwater C. Install a green roof D. Increase the size of the drainage pipes

B. Harvest rainwater C. Install a green roof

Which of the following would help provide habitat to native wildlife? (select 3): A. Limit rainwater run‐off. B. Install a green roof using native plants. C. Limit the area of construction disturbance around the building's footprint. D. Replace invasive species with native plants. E. Allow occupants to bring pets to work.

B. Install a green roof using native plants. C. Limit the area of construction disturbance around the building's footprint. D. Replace invasive species with native plants.

Reducing the amount of light that leaves the project site at night time would result in: (select 2) A. Increased energy consumption B. More visible stars C. Increased night time criminal activity D. Safer migrations for birds

B. More visible stars D. Safer migrations for birds

A project is an in‐fill location in the downtown of a large city on a previously developed site. The design team should consider which of the following? (select 2): A. Limit areas of disturbance in accordance with Protect Habitat B. Provide native/adaptive vegetation in accordance with Restore Habitat C. Use a combination of strategies (green roof, open‐grid paving, and vegetated strips) to improve stormwater quality D. Work with existing flow patterns of the site to control the rate of stormwater run‐off

B. Provide native/adaptive vegetation in accordance with Restore Habitat C. Use a combination of strategies (green roof, open‐grid paving, and vegetated strips) to improve stormwater quality

What is a strategy for construction activity pollution prevention that would prevent waterway sedimentation? A. Increasing soil compaction B. Providing natural buffers around the property C.Reducing fertilization D. Protecting on-site materials

B. Providing natural buffers around the property

A project that specifies soil restoration as part of its site design is contributing to which of the following environmental benefits? A. Preventing construction activity pollution B. Restoring habitat C. Reducing heat islands D. Increasing open space

B. Restoring habitat

Structural controls for erosion and sedimentation control: (Select 2) A. Pervious pavement B. Sediment traps C. Retaining wall D. Silt fencing E. Mulching

B. Sediment traps D. Silt fencing

The three major intents of Light Pollution Reduction, are: (Choose three) A. reduce energy requirements for site lighting B. reduce light trespass to adjacent buildings C. improve night sky access D. reduce navigational problems for birds E. reduce development impact on nocturnal environments

B. reduce light trespass to adjacent buildings C. improve night sky access E. reduce development impact on nocturnal environments

A team wants to provide quality open space on the project site. Which of the following strategies should it consider? A. A community garden located adjacent to the project boundary B. A private garden for company executives C. A walking trail on the property D. Public showering facilities

C. A walking trail on the property

The total land area of a project site covered by buildings, streets, parking areas, and other typically impermeable surfaces constructed as part of the project is the: A. Stormwater retention area B. Restored area C. Development footprint D. LEED neighborhood

C. Development footprint

Which of the following strategies can a project team combine to mimic natural systems and manage rainwater? A. Submetering irrigation systems and replacing potable water with non-potable water B. Xeriscaping and monitoring yearly rainfall C. Green infrastructure (GI) and low-impact development (LID) D. Piping and conveyance

C. Green infrastructure (GI) and low-impact development (LID)

The project owner of a LEED BD+C Retail project has decided NOT to provide financial support to a local land trust. Which of the following will this decision impact? A. Reduced-parking footprint B. Open space C. Habitat protection or restoration D. Surrounding density and diverse uses

C. Habitat protection or restoration

An owner decides to pursue Certification very late in the design process. In the meantime, the general contractor has broken ground on the site and the team is not sure they'll be able to meet SS Prerequisite - Construction Activity Pollution Prevention. What information or recommendation should the LEED AP provide? A. This is not of concern, as erosion and sedimentation can be retroactively mitigated if not controlled. B. If the team misses this prerequisite, it will prevent them from achieving other Sustainable Sites credits, but they can still try for LEED Certification with credits from the WE, EA, MR, EQ, and ID categories. C. If the team fails to achieve this prerequisite, it will preclude attempting LEED Certification.

C. If the team fails to achieve this prerequisite, it will preclude attempting LEED Certification.

Performing a Site Assessment before conceptual design can help achieve all of the following EXCEPT: A. Reduced life‐cycle impacts from the building B. Increased biodiversity on the site C. Increased participation in vehicle sharing services D Reduced cost for renewable energy systems E. Reduced risk

C. Increased participation in vehicle sharing services

Construction Activity Pollution Prevention requires addressing which four of the following concerns? (Choose four.) A. Air pollution by construction equipment exhaust emissions B. Increases in imperviousness of the site C. Loss of soil D. Site-specific characteristics that indicate potential for erosion sedimentation of pervious paving systems E. Sedimentation of storm sewers and receiving streams F. Air pollution by dust and particulate matter

C. Loss of soil D. Site-specific characteristics that indicate potential for erosion sedimentation of pervious paving systems E. Sedimentation of storm sewers and receiving streams F. Air pollution by dust and particulate matter

What are the economic benefits of installing a vegetated roof? A. Provides occupants a connection to the outdoors B. Increased habitat for birds C. Lower cooling costs for HVAC D. Lower investment cost compared to roof surfaces with high SRI

C. Lower cooling costs for HVAC

Which of the following are required to document credit compliance for SS Prerequisite Construction Activity Pollution Prevention? Choose 2 A. Submit training class PowerPoint presentation B. Provide photos of pollution prevention in action C. Provide confirmation project complies with NPDES or local regulations if more stringent D. Provide copies of project drawings showing implementation E. Civil engineer sign off on all pollution prevention actions

C. Provide confirmation project complies with NPDES or local regulations if more stringent D. Provide copies of project drawings showing implementation

The word "albedo" has the same meaning as? A. Absorption B. Radiation C. Reflectance D. Emissivity

C. Reflectance

Which of the following are techniques to meet SS Prerequisite, Construction Activity Pollution Prevention? Choose 3 A. Cover a minimum of 50% of the site area with native vegetation B. Smaller building footprint C. Sediment basin D. Temporary seeding E. Silt fences F. Treat stormwater runoff from 90% of the average annual rainfall using BMPs

C. Sediment basin D. Temporary seeding E. Silt fences

What type of erosion and sedimentation control technology is permanent seeding? A. Maximization B. Turbidity C. Stabilization D. Structural

C. Stabilization

The design teams wants to use a concrete parking lot with an integral color added to it. In order for this area to qualify for SS Credit Heat Island Reduction, which is true? A. The emissivity of the material must be >.5 B. The reflectance of the material must be >29 C. The initial SR of the material must be .33 or greater D. The 3‐year aged SRI of the material must be <29 E. Concrete with integral color cannot be used

C. The initial SR of the material must be .33 or greater

The Sustainable Sites category focuses on all of the following EXCEPT which of the following: A. Preserving the biodiversity on which natural systems rely B. Integrating the site with local and regional ecosystems C. The ways in which community infrastructure affects occupants' behavior and environmental performance. D. Restoring project site elements

C. The ways in which community infrastructure affects occupants' behavior and environmental performance.

Which of the following can increase the heat island effect in urban areas? (Choose 2) A. Buildings that have passive ventilation B. Rooftops covered with a high SRI material C. Vehicle exhaust D. Air-conditioners

C. Vehicle exhaust D. Air-conditioners

Emissivity is an indication of which one of the following material properties? A. Ability of a transparent or translucent material to transmit light in the visible range B. Ability of a transparent or translucent material to admit solar gain C. Ability of a material to absorb heat across the entire solar spectrum, including all non-visible wavelengths D. Ability of a material to give up heat in the form of long wave radiation

D. Ability of a material to give up heat in the form of long wave radiation

What design strategy would reduce the light trespass from a site to help prevent light pollution? A. Paint all hardscapes white B. Install lamp posts every 20 feet (6 meters) around the entire property line C. Up-lighting D. Install shielded fixtures

D. Install shielded fixtures

Which of the following would not help increase the open space on a site? (select 1): A. Minimize the building's footprint. B. Install a green roof in an urban area. C. Reduce the parking lot size of an urban site to allow space for a hardscaped courtyard. D. Plant only native plants.

D. Plant only native plants.

What is the most effective method to minimize stormwater runoff volume and treatment according to SS Credit Rainwater Management? A. Install pervious paving B. Plant a pattern of turf grass and naturally filtering native plants C. Install an underground cistern D. Reduce the amount of impervious area

D. Reduce the amount of impervious area

Light Trespass

Light that is cast where it is not wanted or needed.

Processes for rainwater management?

Low Impact Development (LID) Green Infrastructure (GI)

Strategies for sedimentation stabilization v. structural control?

Stabilization - temporary or permanent seeding - mulching Structural Control - Earth Dike - Silt Fence - sediment trap - sediment basin

Development footprint

The total land area of a project site covered by buildings, streets, parking areas, and other typically impermeable surfaces constructed as part of the project.

Building Footprint

area on a project site that is used by the building structure and is defined by the perimeter of the building plan.

Sky Glow

brightness of the night sky in a built‐up area as a result of light pollution. - negatively impacts animals that are nocturnal

Glare

increases hazards by blinding people and making areas outside the light even less visible.

Bioswales

landscape elements designed to remove silt and pollution from surface runoff water during and after construction filled with vegetation, compost, and/or riprap NOTE: Rain gardens are VERY similar to bioswales but are smaller or more residential systems where existing soil is often used

Passive Design?

uses sunlight and natural air‐flows to help with heating, cooling, and lighting

Heat Island Effect

warmer temperatures are experienced in urban landscapes NOTE: ambient temperatures in urban areas can be artificially elevated by more than 10 F when compared with surrounding suburban and undeveloped areas

How does waterway sedimentation occur?

when exposed top soil is washed off a property during a rain event.