The Planning Phase

Acting upon this study, the YBP board made the Sustainable Development Initiative its highest priority. Close to $57,000 in cash was raised for the planning phase, and many design and consulting services were donated as well. Over 75 volunteers were recruited from three states to serve on the design teams that worked from August 2006 through May 2007 (DESIGN TEAM ROSTER). Through face-to-face meetings and conference calls, these teams researched and fashioned a rating system modeled after the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. The teams want to encourage healthy and efficient rural subdivisions, vital downtowns, minimum-impact infrastructure and sustainable recreation facilities. They want to ensure that new developments preserve biodiversity in Greater Yellowstone and respect the region’s cultural and historic heritage. The Framework document 1.0 and scorecard are presented on the YBP website for your comprehensive review and comment.

The Three-Year Implementation Phase

Over the next three years the Greater Yellowstone Framework will be introduced to a wider regional audience and tested with builders and developers interested in sustainable development. We will need to train and assist pilot project sponsors and early adopters to demonstrate how each credit can be achieved on the ground (Implementation Timetable). Whether or not the USGBC adopts this system as an official LEED Application, YBP still needs to facilitate completion of the reference guide and professional training course, champion incentives and marketing efforts, select and encourage pilot projects, and ensure that a viable, third-party certification process evolves by 2010. The following objectives are proposed:

Objective #1: Raise regional awareness of LEED and the proposed Greater Yellowstone Framework and encourage feedback on the rating system design and specific application. Maximize exposure through the annual conference and employ a variety of public outreach tools.

Objective #2: Identify and advance a suite of incentives and marketing approaches to support pilot demonstrations and others building sustainable developments in the Yellowstone-Teton region. Recruit a multi-interest task force to meet regularly over the implementation period.

Objective #3: Develop a detailed reference guide that describes strategies and technologies that can be used in achieving points in the Greater Yellowstone rating system. Through its development, incorporate feedback received through public outreach and pilot project experiences. Publish the initial rating system and reference guide of resources early in 2008 and issue a revised 2.0 version in January 2010.

Objective #4: Select, support and publicize at least 10 GY-Framework pilot projects in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. Negotiate agreements for program participation and help secure funds to cover any project registration and certification fees.

Objective #5: Develop and field test with professionals an initial training course for the GY Framework. Fine tune the content with pilot project professionals early in 2008 and offer the course to the general public at least once every six months through the project period.

Objective #6: Create a third-party certification process for the GY-Framework that maximizes regional involvement and minimizes cost. Use a regional task force to design the certification process and launch it by January 2010.