[USCC] Fw: Preliminary Report on the Standards and Guidelines for Sustainable Sites

[Stuart Buckner]

-----Original Message-----
From: Schwab.Jean at epamail.epa.gov [mailto:Schwab.Jean at epamail.epa.gov] 
Sent: Friday, November 02, 2007 11:43 AM
To: Black, Ginny
Subject: Preliminary Report on the Standards and Guidelines for
Sustainable Sites

The Sustainable Sites Initiative is developing national, voluntary
standards and guidelines for sustainable land development and management
practices as well as metrics to assess site performance and a rating
system to recognize achievement.   It is a partnership of the American
Society of Landscape Architects, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower
Center, the United States Botanic Garden and a diverse group of national
stakeholder organizations including the EPA's GreenScapes Program.  The
U.S. Green Building Council, a major stakeholder in the initiative, has
committed to incorporating these guidelines and standards into the
future evolution of the LEED(r) (Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design) Green Building Rating System.

The initiative is in the process of developing the Standards and
Guidelines for Sustainable Sites  - a compilation of current research,
technology, and practices to provide technical guidance and performance
benchmarks.  The Preliminary Report on the Standards and Guidelines (
www.sustainablesites.org/report.html) is now available for comment.  The
purpose of this report is to provide a snapshot of the first findings of
the initiative with the intention of collecting feedback from
professionals and stakeholders. It is critical to receive knowledge and
input from other professionals and stakeholders to ensure that the
products of the Sustainable Sites Initiative are relevant to those who
influence land practices.  Please share this document with other
colleagues.  An on-line feedback form (
www.sustainablesites.org/questionnaire.html) is available to submit
comments on the preliminary report.  The public comment period will be
open until January 11, 2008.

Many local and regional efforts now provide guidelines for improved land
development and management practices. Sustainable Sites recognizes the
importance and relevance of these programs and is interested in
information sharing and partnering.

Please share this freely with all that you think would be interested. If
you have any questions, a system has been set up to field them at
info at sustainablesites.org

We hope you will find this effort as exciting as we do.

Best,
Jean


************************************
Jean Schwab
GreenScapes Program Manager
US EPA
MC:  5306P
Washington, DC  20460
703/308-8669
www.epa.gov/greenscapes