LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Certification) Sustainable Sites 5

Question 1

A LEED project team is documenting compliance with the High Priority Site credit by building on a historic district site. Which organization's designation of 'historic district' does LEED recognize?

Accepted Answer

National Register of Historic Places

Answer

LEED recognizes sites listed on or adjacent to the National Register of Historic Places as qualifying historic district locations for the High Priority Site credit.

Question 2

Under LEED's Rainwater Management credit (Option 1), a project must manage on site the runoff from precipitation events up to and including the 95th percentile of regional rainfall events. What does 'manage' mean in this context?

Accepted Answer

Retain, infiltrate, evapotranspire, or harvest and use the water on site

Answer

Managing rainwater means retaining it on site through infiltration, evapotranspiration, or harvesting/reuse, so it never leaves the site as runoff.

Question 3

A project team is pursuing the Sensitive Land Protection credit. Which of the following site types is protected under this credit?

Accepted Answer

Prime farmland as defined by the USDA

Answer

Sensitive Land Protection prohibits development on prime farmland (as classified by the USDA), floodplains, habitat for threatened or endangered species, and other ecologically sensitive areas.

Question 4

For the LEED Heat Island Reduction credit, what qualifies as a 'shade tree' that contributes to non-roof heat island reduction over paved areas?

Accepted Answer

A tree with a mature canopy that shades at least 100 sq ft of paved surface within 5 years

Answer

LEED credits shade trees that provide meaningful canopy coverage—shading at least 100 sq ft of paved surface within 5 years of planting—as a qualifying non-roof heat island reduction strategy.

Question 5

Which LEED Sustainable Sites credit specifically addresses the ecological impacts of nighttime lighting on wildlife, particularly nocturnal species and migratory birds?

Accepted Answer

Light Pollution Reduction

Answer

The Light Pollution Reduction credit limits upward light spill and glare from exterior fixtures, directly reducing disruption to nocturnal wildlife and migratory bird navigation.

LEED - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Certification Practice Test

LEED - Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Certification Practice Test

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Certification) Sustainable Sites 5