Building Site

* Value site resources: Early in the process carry out a careful site evaluation: solar access, soils, vegetation, water resources, important natural areas, etc., and let this information guide the design.

* Renovate older buildings: Conscientiously renovating existing buildings is the most sustainable construction.

* Create community: Development patterns can either inhibit or contribute to the establishment of strong communities and neighborhoods. Creation of cohesive communities should be a high priority.

* Encourage in-fill and mixed-use development: In-fill development that increases density is inherently better than building on undeveloped (greenfield) sites. Mixed-use development, in which residential and commercial uses are intermingled, can reduce automobile use and help to create healthy communities.

* Minimize automobile dependence: Locate buildings to provide access to public transportation, bicycle paths, and walking access to basic services. Commuting can also be reduced by working at home–consider home office needs with layout and wiring.

* Locate buildings to minimize environmental impact: Cluster buildings or build attached units to preserve open space and wildlife habitats, avoid especially sensitive areas including wetlands, and keep roads and service lines short. Leave the most pristine areas untouched, and look for areas that have been previously damaged to build on. Seek to restore damaged ecosystems.

* Provide responsible on-site water management: Design landscapes to absorb rainwater runoff (storm water) rather than having to carry it off-site in storm sewers. In arid areas, rooftop water catchments systems should be considered for collecting rainwater and using it for landscape irrigation.

* Situate buildings to benefit from existing vegetation: Trees on the east and west sides of a building can dramatically reduce cooling loads. Hedgerows and shrubbery can block cold winter winds or help channel cool summer breezes into buildings.

*Climate.

This site below is a great tool to gain in depth data on the climate in your local building area. This web address will direct you to Eureka’s climate, if you want to explore other parts of the county, use the “navigate to” buttons on the bottom of the page. Click in the compass direction from Eureka where your building site is located.

http://www.worldclimate.com/cgi-bin/grid.pl?gr=N40W124

Building Site Design

Excavation of the site: Minimum removal of native vegetation, be aware of sediment erosion, storm water prevention plans are now required under the Cal Green Building

Ask around if any of the local excavator companies use bio-diesel.
If your contractor is willing to used bio-diesel, which many in the state of California already do, ask them to contact the folks over at Footprint Recycling, Humboldt’s local bio-diesel producer.
http://www.footprintrecycling.com/

Footprint Recycling has two local clients that do exceptional tractor work, and/or green building locally. Footprint gives high regards to professional skills and green commitments of both below listed companies.

Alchemy Construction Inc.
330 South G Street
Arcata, CA 95521
(707) 822-8013

http://www.alchemyinc.com/green-building-humboldt.php

Matt Smith is an employee with Arcata Fish and Wildlife. If restoration is needed on or around your project, this is the bio-diesel ran and skilled professional locally.
matthew_smithcaggiano@fws.gov

Local Equipment operator’s directory:

There are so many local tractor companies. These are just the two that come up with a local Google search. Please email us your suggestions. When you do, also remember to suggest to the operator that they start buying domestic fuel from our local source, Footprint Recycling.
Bobcat West
- www.pape.com
2736 Jacobs Avenue, Eureka – (707) 443-3015

Alto Equipment Inc
- – www.altoequipment.com
2070 Babler Road, Mckinleyville – (707) 839-0170

Based out of Idaho, the company below is not local, but they are a proven example as to what is available and doable. Please recommend to our local excavator companies that you would like to see their operations go more towards bio-diesel. Check these guys out!

http://www.greenneckindustries.com/excavation.html
Resources exist about putting bio-diesel in your tractors and other equipment.

Please let your excavation contractors know about these resources before they start the project.

http://thegreatbilby.com/otherpages/Biodiesel.FAQ.htm

http://www.energywise.govt.nz/how-to-be-energy-efficient/biofuels/using-biofuels

http://ecohearth.com/eco-blogs/clean-and-green-everyday/864-converting-your-car-to-run-on-waste-vegetable-oil-.html

http://www.skanska.com/upload/About%20Skanska/Sustainability/Responsibility/33TractorMan%20010508.pdf

http://www.orangetractortalks.com/2009/03/ok-to-use-biodiesel-in-my-kubota/

http://www.biofuelsforum.com/using_biodiesel/316-biodiesel_tractors_storing_overhead_tanks.html

Septic System