The Smart Location and Linkage Prerequisite: Wetland and Water Body Conservation in LEED for

Neighborhood Development aims to protect natural hydrological systems by ensuring that

development does not negatively impact wetlands and water bodies. Projects must avoid

development on land that would disrupt these sensitive ecological areas or mitigate their impact if

such development is unavoidable.

Option C: A brownfield redevelopment is the correct answer because brownfield sites are typically

previously developed lands that may have been contaminated or disturbed. When a project is

located on a brownfield site, it avoids impacting previously undisturbed wetlands or water bodies, as

brownfields have already undergone substantial disturbance. LEED incentivizes the reuse and

redevelopment of such sites as it aligns with sustainable land-use practices and avoids the need to

develop on pristine or sensitive environmental areas, including wetlands and water bodies.

Therefore, projects on brownfield sites automatically comply with the Wetland and Water Body

Conservation prerequisite (Reference: LEED v4 ND Reference Guide).

Option A: An infill site may or may not comply automatically with this prerequisite depending on

whether the site includes or affects wetlands or water bodies. Infill sites can be adjacent to or even

contain sensitive areas.

Option B: An adjacent site does not necessarily ensure compliance with this prerequisite. Adjacent

development could still affect nearby wetlands or water bodies if it is not planned carefully.

Option D: On previously disturbed land does not guarantee compliance, as previously disturbed land

may still contain wetlands or be near water bodies that require protection.

In summary, brownfield redevelopment projects inherently avoid negatively impacting wetlands and

water bodies, making Option C the correct choice for automatic compliance with the Wetland and

Water Body Conservation prerequisite.