Environmental Conservation
Environmental Sustainability
Newland, the members of New Hanover County Commissioners and Planning Board, as well as County staff, are working hard to protect the environment during the construction of River Road.
Efforts will focus on protecting the sand ridges that form some of the most noticeable physical features between the two creeks, preserving the wetland areas near the river, and supplanting the existing landscape with native organisms. Newland's efforts will also focus on integrating the existing trees into the community, providing a balance between nature and innovation to create a sustainable community.
The future plans include techniques to reduce water runoff and provide for environmental sustainability for generations to come. Our focus on Healthy Living Systems means we will be looking for ways to restore the land to its natural state, preserve areas of natural topography, wetlands, and draw to them into the heart of River Road.
Newland continues to grow its advisory team as it builds an environmentally responsible and healthy community. Newland has partnered with Dr. Michael Mallin, a water quality specialist who serves as Research Professor at the University of North Carolina Wilmington Center for Marine Science. Mallin is working with Newland to test water quality, monitor erosion control measures and develop methods for on-site water conservation and reuse.
Newland Communities' commitment to the environment is fundamental to the company's core values. Newland has partnered with the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) on the Green Home Guide, www.greenhomeguide.org. At River Road, Newland will encourage the use of materials that are recycled, locally produced and created from sustainable grown, renewable resources.
Scott McGhee is the owner and operator of Scott’s Treescape, a Wilmington-based tree maintenance company. McGhee is helping Newland identify native trees and plant species on the property and assess the trees’ strength and stability.
Environmentally-Sensitive Design
Design principles that embrace sustainability will inspire the environmentally focused philosophy at River Road. These principles will be reinforced throughout the community and are planned to include:
Note on this list - per legal - list the items that are currently in the plans and we can add the other items as they become part of the plan
- LEEDS Certified Commercial and amenity buildings
- Hybrid vehicle preferred parking
- Bicycle and electric vehicle preferred parking
- Energy Star home standards
- Structured home wiring for community network
- Natural Gas energy option
- Majority of storm water to be managed by infiltration
- Pretreatment of storm water prior to storage in lake for lake health
- Natural lake liner for lake health
- Native lake plants for lake health
- Dr. Mike Mallin recommendations for lake and plant/fish life
- Use of native and drought resistant plants
- Planned roof rainwater collection for irrigation
- Irrigation from other non-potable water sources
- Geothermal or variable refrigerant volume HVAC sources
- Below-grade French drain infiltration systems for residential roof drains
- Reconnecting wetlands cut off by existing River Road
- Recycle materials from existing River Road
- All natural materials from worksite construction to be recycled. No land filling or on- or off-site burning per contract
- Residential construction debris recycling
- 700 of 1340 acres to remain open space
- Promote walking and biking with trail and boardwalk system
- Homesites to remain at existing grades. No clear cutting, no mass grading.
- Protection of unique existing sand ridges
- Emphasis on construction and post construction erosion control
- Public water access
- Dedication of land to public park system
