Green Construction
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Topical Reports Green Construction |
Location and Landscape
A building does not stand alone, but is part of a larger human and natural context. The building’s location, design, and degree of integration with larger settlement and natural patterns will influence how well a building meets users’ needs and determines impact on the natural environment. Transportation, watershed, and habitat (including brownfield development) resources are presented here.
Questions to Consider
- Can the project be located with the aim of reducing vehicle miles traveled?
- What destinations in the surrounding community do the building’s users need convenient access to?
- How can the building be sited to provide users with transportation choices in gaining access to destinations?
- How can building siting encourage the use of alternatives to the single-occupancy automobile?
Watershed & Habitat (Including Brownfield Development)
Questions to Consider
- How can the building complement the natural and cultural environment of its location?
- What measures can be taken to minimize impacts of construction, development and building operation on the surrounding watershed, by preventing water pollution and upsets of natural drainage patterns?
- How can the development conserve habitat for native plants and animals, both on and off site? Are there threatened or endangered species’ habitats that may be impacted by developing this site?
- Is it possible to locate and rehabilitate or restore native habitats on a brownfield or degraded site?
Location Efficient Mortgages - For Residential Buyers in Seattle, Washington
The Location Efficient Mortgage, or LEM, (Seattle) is an innovative, new mortgage product designed to meet the homeownership needs of people who would like to purchase a home in an urban neighborhood and who would be willing to rely on public transportation and to use locally available services and amenities rather than own a personal vehicle. A similar program will be available in Portland, Oregon.
http://www.locationefficiency.comTransportation Connections
A transportation information clearing site that promotes existing mass transportation options and provides a forum for casual usage ride share matches.
http://www.transconnect.orgWashington Commute Trip Reduction (CTR)
The Washington State Legislature passed the CTR Law in 1993. The law encourages commuters who drive to work alone to consider transportation alternatives such as carpooling, riding the bus, walking or bicycling, working from home, or working compressed work weeks and flexible work schedules. The goals of the CTR Program are to reduce traffic congestion, air pollution and petroleum consumption through employer-based programs that reduce the number of drive-alone trips.
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/pubtran/CTR/Tri-Met Programs for Employers - Greater Portland Area, Oregon
Offers resources to employers for implementing transportation programs such as carpools and vanpools, Commute options rules, transit incentives, and tax incentives. Also lists transportation management associations.
http://www.trimet.org/business.htmCities for Climate Protection - Commuter Calculator
This "Calculator" determines the energy use and carbon dioxide emissions which result from current commuting habits. Also determines how changes in commuting behavior could change these results.
http://cities21.com/games/comcalc.htmEnvironmental Defense - Commuter Calculator
This "Calculator" estimates car emissions produced on an annual basis, including carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. Also discusses health effects of these pollutants and suggests alternatives to driving.
http://209.10.107.169/tailpipetally/Benefits to Employers of Bicycle Commuting
http://bicyclesource.com/you/commuting/employer-benefits.htmlSeattle Transportation Bicycle Program (SEATRAN)
Program has been working steadily toward developing an urban trail system for bicyclists; including multi-use trails, bike lanes, bike routes, arterials with wide shoulders, and pedestrian paths. When completed, a bicycle facility network will link neighborhoods and activity centers, as well as providing connections with recreational and natural areas within the Puget Sound region.
http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/td/bicycle.aspThe Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) - Greater Portland Area, Oregon
A volunteer, non-profit organization working to promote bicycle use and to improve bicycling conditions throughout the Portland metropolitan region and the state of Oregon.
http://www.bta4bikes.orgSan Diego Air Pollution Control District - for Land Use and Transportation Planning
1998 Publication: "Tools for Reducing Vehicle Trips Through Land Use Design". Increasing bicycling, walking,and transit use in the San Diego Region. Examines San Diego's transportation and land use distribution policies. Covers managing growth, public facilities, site designs, transit and pedestrian facilities. Also discusses overcoming barriers to implementation and fiscal and financial review.
Contact: 858-650-4700
Soundscape Demonstration Garden - Seattle, Washington
Tour Soundscape to discover: effects of soil preparation on lawn health, alternatives to typical turfgrass lawns, low-water planting, efficient water techniques, soil amendments and mulches, and more.
http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/util/RESCONS/g_home.htmGuidelines for Landscaping with Compost Amended Soils - for Puget Sound Area
Guidelines provide background information, a how-to section on soil preparation, quantities for application, incorporation into the soil, and soil testing. Additional sections address costs and paybackes, and soil quality issues.
http://www.ci.redmond.wa.us/insidecityhall/publicworks/environment/pdfs/compostamendedsoils.pdfKing County and City of Seattle Partnership to Reduce Pesticide Use
A partnership and commitment to reduce overall use of pesticides on public lands. To meet this end, the city and county have created an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) policy and guidelines. A driving force behind the new policy was the Endangered Species Act and listing of Chinook salmon. They devised a three-tier hazard-ranking system for chemicals that control weeds and other pests. Targeted for elimination by June 2000 are so-called "Tier 1" products (the most hazardous), which contain known carcinogens and which are highly toxic to birds, fish or animals or which quickly seep into groundwater.
http://www.metrokc.gov/hazwaste/ipm/Integrated Pest Management Fact Sheets - City of Seattle for Landscaping Professionals
This series assists landscape professionals both in the field and to help educate clients in IPM. Each sheet provides the essential facts you need to know about an important Northwest pest or disease problem: identification, life cycle, monitoring, damage threshold, and treatments.
http://www.cityofseattle.net/util/proipm/default.htmIntegrated Pest Management (IPM) in King County, Washington
Additional links provided to various organizations involved in habitat conservation, natural landscaping, IPM, and related issues, as well as available literature.
http://www.metrokc.gov/hazwaste/ipm/Soils for Salmon - Washington Organics Recycling Council
Promotes and disseminates information on salmon friendly soil management and gardening practices.
http://compostwashington.org/soilss2.aspStormwater Manual - Washington Department of Ecology
Local jurisdictions and businesses have used this manual to design stormwater programs to protect Washington state’s waters from stormwater runoff. Currently being updated, this manual is divided into five volumes and can be downloaded for free or purchased.
http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/stormwater/manual.html#copiesStormwater, Grading and Drainage Code: Amendments 2000 - Seattle Department of Construction and Land Use
Click for link to the publication (See Demolition and Construction Management section of document)Stormwater Pollution Prevention Manual - Pierce County, Washington
Guide to best management practices for industries, businesses and homeowners.
http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/services/home/environ/water/swm/sppman/index.htmNative Plants - for Oregon Landscapes
Native wildflowers and shrubs are adapted to the climate of a region. They draw birds and butterflies and are non-invasive. This link provides suggestions and guidelines for native plant placement and care.
http://www.parks.ci.portland.or.us/GoNativeFolder/gonative.htmNative Plants - for Puget Sound Landscapes
List of disease and pest resistant plants native to the Puget Sound area.
http://www.metrokc.gov/hazwaste/house/plantlist.htmlWatersheds: Construction Best Management Practices
Provides best practices for:
· Construction sequencing
· Surface stabilization
· Runoff control measures
· Runoff conveyance measures
· Outlet protection
· Sediment traps and barriers
· Stream protection
http://h2osparc.wq.ncsu.edu/descprob/construc.htmlManual: "Site Planning and New Construction Consideration for Water Quality" by Valley County, Idaho. August 1997.
Contact: 208-373-0550Seven Principles of Xeriscape - from Austin's Green Building Program
Guidelines cover:
1) Planning and Design
2) Soil Improvement
3) Appropriate Plant Selection
4) Practical Turf Areas
5) Efficient Irrigation
6) Use of Mulches
7) Appropriate Maintenance
http://www.greenbuilder.com/sourcebook/xeriscape.html#GUIDESCenter for Water-Efficient Landscaping, Utah State University
For Intermountain West: The Center promotes "water conservation and quality through research in amenity landscape irrigation and sustainability and through outreach education of the green industry and water purveyors."
http://www.hort.usu.edu/CWEL/Xeriscaping for Intermountain West: A Collection of Articles
Articles mostly pertinent to desert climates. Rainwater collection and distribution systems discussed.
http://suite101.com/articles.cfm/5234WaterWise Landscaping Plants for the Intermountain West
Provides landscape and propagation information on drought-resistant plants for use in low-water-use landscapes. Many of the plants included are native to the Intermountain West or shortgrass prairie.
http://www.hort.usu.edu/natives/index.htmlNational Plant Data Center Links
Maintains a database of standardized information about plants, including names, checklists, automated tools, identification information, species abstracts, distributional data, crop information, plant symbols, plant growth data, plant materials information, plant links, references, and other plant information.
http://plants.usda.gov/The Brownfields Center - Carnegie Mellon University and University of Pittsburgh
As part of a research project at Carnegie Mellon entitled: "Brownfield Development: the Implications for Urban Infrastructure" several case studies are being conducted concerning specific brownfield sites. The following links contain detailed information for each of the case study brownfield sites currently being investigated.
http://www.ce.cmu.edu/Brownfields/Brownfields Pilots and Demonstrations - US Environmental Protection Agency
The US EPA is committed to building partnerships with States, cities, and community representatives and among Federal agencies to develop strategies for promoting public participation and community involvement in Brownfields decision-making. Site covers assessments, funding, case studies, and pilot and demonstration projects.
http://www.epa.gov/brownfields/
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© 1999, Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center
phone: 206-352-2050, e-mail: office@pprc.org, web: www.pprc.org