[USCC] LEED points and compost use

[Steve Diver]

It so happens the Sustainable Sites Initiative just
released their 2008 DRAFT Guidelines. 

Guidelines and Performance Benchmarks – Draft 2008 
Sustainable Sites Initiative  
http://www.sustainablesites.org/report/

The idea behind SSI is to have a sustainable sites
component to LEED. 

Much like LEED, "This report contains over 50 draft 
prerequisites and credits that cover all stages of 
the site development process from site selection 
to landscape maintenance."

Quick access to soils:

3.13......... p. 77
6.1.......... p. 119
6.2.......... p. 120
Appendix E... p. 153

For example, Appendix E: 

1. Achieve ideal dry bulk densities or cone penetrometer readings* 
in 100 percent of the root zone (minimum of 12 inches in depth) 
in all areas without buildings and paved areas.

2. Achieve appropriate organic matter for plant growth and for 
water storage and infiltration. The top 12 inches of soil contains 
at least 3 percent organic matter (by loss-on-combustion tests*) 
or achieves organic matter levels comparable to your site’s 
reference soil by amending with a mature compost material.

3. Provide conditions to restore soil organism biomass 
activity and diversity**. The relative levels of bacteria, 
fungi, nematodes, and protozoa vary for different ecosystems. 
The balance of these groups of organisms should replicate 
those in your site’s reference soils. In absence of a 
reference soil, refer to guidance** on relative levels 
of soil organisms that are appropriate for your ecosystem

You can probably see the difficulty of arriving at standards 
that apply across the broad expanse of the U.S. which has so 
many varied soils. 

For example, parts of many states and regions simply do not 
have 12" of soil depth.  Likewise, most of the southern
and southwestern states have much lower inherent levels 
of soil organic matter than 3%.  

Compost is listed in several locations as a soil amendment.

Regards,

Steve Diver 
Austin, TX