[PCA] Draft green building code contains requirements regarding native & invasive plants: Comments due May 14

[SUSAN MCLAUGHLIN]

The International Code Council (ICC), the principal publisher of building safety codes  in the U.S., is seeking public comment on their draft International Green Construction Code (IGCC). 

 

IGCC is written in code language and is intended to be used in conjunction with jurisdictions' existing building codes.  IGCC sponsors include ICC; the American Institute of Architects (AIA); the US Green Building Council; the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE); ASTM International; and the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES).

 

Comments on the current version of the code (Public Version 1.0) are due Friday, May 14. 

 

The draft code includes a number of requirements that pertain to the selection of plants and management of invasive plant species.  Each of these requirements are in Chapter 4,  "Site Development and Land Use."  Specifically, see Sections 402.3.1.3 (under "Predesign site inventory and assessment"),  402.3.3.1.1.3 (under "Potable water"), 402.3.5.6 ("Invasive species"), and 404.2.3 (Heat Island Mitigation/ Shade by trees).

 

Additionally, Chapter 2 contains a definition for "Invasive Plant Species.".

 

Some things to consider when reviewing and commenting on the code:

 

-- Is the definition for "Invasive Plant Species" correct?  As written, will it be effective in preventing the planting, and encouraging the removal, of invasive plant species on building sites in all the regions of the U.S.?  

-- Is the establishment phase for water use too long?  Too short?

-- For shading to achieve heat island mitigation goals, the tree canopy is to be measured at five-year canopy growth.  Does this requirement have any implications for the selection of trees?  Would a sufficient variety of native trees achieve the required canopy layer in 5 years?   

-- With the exception of trees chosen to meet the heat island mitigation requirements, IGCC does not require planting of native plants at a site.  Should it?  If so, should it require that ALL plants be native, or should there be a minimum percentage, e.g., require that at least 60% of new plantings be native?

-- The term "native species" is not used in the document.  Rather, the document refers to trees "that are native to the region and climate zone in which the project site is located."  Should the document use more specific terminology?  If so, what terms or definitions should be included?   

 

The draft code and information on the comment process are are available at http://www.iccsafe.org/cs/IGCC/Pages/default.aspx<http://www.iccsafe.org/cs/IGCC/Pages/default.aspx> . 



 

Susan McLaughlin Gitlin

Green Building Program

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Washington, D.C.

202-566-9760

work e-mail:  gitlin.susan at epa.gov
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