Region 10 EIC Meeting NYSDOT GreenLITES Project Design Certification Program Richard Gass with much Assistance and Thanks to Paul Krekeler GreenLITES Program Manager

What is GreenLITES? Program used to: – Measure our environmental sustainability performance, – Recognize and promote environmental sustainability best practices and – Identify areas where we need to improve our environmental sustainability practices. Modeled after: – Building industry LEED program. – University of Washington Greenroads initiative. A self certification program. A way to demonstrate to public officials and the public how NYSDOT is advancing sustainable practices.

Guiding Principles Not prescriptive Intent is to have all staff consider sustainability items Regional decision as to what to include Understand cost will be a competing priority Keep it simple

GreenLITES Program Basics Project designs are evaluated for over 175 possible sustainable practices in five categories. A small number apply directly to Construction activities. GreenLITES Project Environmental Sustainability Rating System Scorecard Sustainable Sites CategoryPoints IDDescriptionAvailableScored S-1 Alignment Selection S-1aAvoidance of previously undeveloped lands (open space or greenfield) 2 S-1bAlignment establishes 100’ buffer between highway & natural water course 2 S-1cMinimize total earthwork by matching proposed vertical alignments as closely as possible to existing grades. 1 S-1hClear zones seeded with seed mixtures that help to reduce maintenance needs and increase carbon sequestration. 1

Four Certification Levels Certification level based on total points received. The highest certification goes to designs which clearly advance the state of sustainable transportation solutions. Level: Non- Certified CertifiedSilverGoldEvergreen Symbol: No Symbol Points: & up

Scoring Methodology Score recognizes designs that clearly advance the state of sustainable transportation solutions based on total credits received. All "D" let projects are now scored. Includes element-specific (plan sheet or proposal only) and maintenance projects are evaluated under the GreenLITES program. A modified rating system will be used for element-specific and maintenance projects. Standby, where-and-when, or job order contracts are exempt.

More About Certification Categories Five categories: – Sustainable Sites – Water Quality – Materials and Resources – Energy and Atmosphere – Innovation/Unlisted

Impacts in Construction Projects may have earned points for certain actions that will take place in Construction. New practices, methods or materials may have been called out. Existing optional techniques may have been recognized. Existing practices in Region 10 could be recognized as “Green” but were not noted during Design or GreenLITES Evaluation. On-site location for chipped wood waste disposal.

Categories related to Construction Avoid/protect significant trees and established, desirable vegetation Project designs that include sound erosion and sediment control practices Designate qualified environmental construction monitor to provide construction oversight in sensitive environmental areas Clear zones seeded to reduce maintenance needs and increase carbon sequestration.

Additional Construction elements Reuse or salvage of trees for lumber or elements of the previous structure (stone veneer, decorative railing, etc.) Removing and disposing of contaminated soils beyond what is necessary for project construction. (I see some issues with Order on Contract.) Specify local seed stock and plants

Related Practices Practices that could be added to our GreenLITES score should be suggested to Design. Issued EI Green Construction Practices – Limits idling, specifies low sulfur fuel use and outlines dust control measures Exhaust Tail Pipe Retrofit Comparison: Truck on left utilizing “Clean Diesel Technology” (Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel & Exhaust Retrofit) versus truck on right operating with regular technology

GreenLITES & Construction Design places GreenLITES scorecard in Project Wise “Highway Design” folder for Construction use. Project Designer and EIC review scorecard at the preconstruction meeting. EIC fills out GreenLITES questions in pilot PQAR (Project Quality Assurance Report). Official PQAR to be formalized by EB soon. EIC & Project Designers should communicate with each other to ensure specified environmental sustainability items are built.

GreenLITES The complete GreenLITES program is located on our web site at: Questions?