Low-impact development (LID) strategies are central to many sustainable infrastructure initiatives, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been promoting the benefits of these practices for years. In addition, EPA is expected to incorporate LID strategies and techniques in its new National Stormwater rulemaking when setting first-time standards for permanent stormwater controls to treat runoff from completed new development or redeveloped sites (aka, EPA’s post-construction rules, due out in proposed form in June 2013). To reduce some of the barriers to greater acceptance of these strategies, EPA has released a series of seven new fact sheets: “Low Impact Development (LID) Barrier Busters."
In general, LID focuses on reducing the volume and velocity of rainwater (stormwater or urban runoff) that drains off streets, sidewalks, buildings, roads, farms, etc and into a wastewater system or directly into a waterway—often carrying with it litter and pollutants. Retention strategies are perhaps the most common and visible — where rainwater or stormwater produced during wet weather events is retained either for potential use (e.g., irrigation) or to promote natural or enhanced infiltration into the ground. Cisterns, rain gardens, bioswales and vegetated roofs are examples of LID strategies.
EPA’s “LID Barrier Busters” fact sheets address concerns a local government may have with adoption of LID strategies such as cost, efficiency, and attractiveness. The fact sheets are listed below:
- Benefits of LID: How LID Can Protect your Community's Resources (PDF) - Challenges the perception that LID isn't worthwhile and provides general background information that outlines hydrologic and economic benefits provided by LID.
- Terminology of LID: Distinguishing LID from other Techniques that Address Community Growth Issues (PDF) - Addresses LID’s place in the jumble of terms for managing the environmental impacts of growth that coexist today and describes and distinguishes these terms.
- Costs of LID: LID Saves Money and Protects Your Community's Resources (PDF) - Challenges the perception that LID is too expensive.
- Aesthetics of LID: LID Technologies Can Benefit Your Community's Visual Environment (PDF) - Challenges the perception that LID is unattractive.
- Effectiveness of LID: Proven LID Technologies Can Work for Your Community (PDF) - Challenges the perception that LID doesn't work.
- Maintenance of LID: Communities Are Easily Managing LID Practices (PDF) - Challenges the perception that LID is too hard or costly to maintain.
- Encouraging LID: Incentives Can Encourage Adoption of LID Practices in your Community (PDF) - Highlights incentive strategies to catalyze LID.