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Low Impact Development (LID)
is a stormwater management approach that uses a suite of
hydrologic controls (structural and non-structural)
distributed throughout the site and integrated as a
treatment train (i.e., in series) to replicate the natural
hydrologic functioning of the predevelopment landscape.
Unlike conventional systems, which typically control and
treat runoff using a single engineered stormwater pond
located at the “bottom of the hill,” LID systems are
designed to promote volume attenuation and treatment at or
near the source of stormwater runoff via distributed
retention, detention, infiltration, treatment, and reuse
mechanisms. The fundamental goal of applying LID concepts,
design, and practice is to improve the overall effectiveness
and efficiency of stormwater management relative to
conventional systems, reducing total and peak runoff volumes
and improving the quality of waters discharged from the
site.
A site-specific suite of LID
integrated management practices can be applied to most if not
all development scenarios in Sarasota County. Regardless of the
project context, LID requires consideration of the following
core site planning and design objectives:
- Preserve or conserve
existing site features and assets that facilitate
predevelopment hydrologic function.
- Minimize generation of
runoff from impervious surfaces (i.e., use peak and total
volume controls) and contamination (i.e., use load controls)
as close to the source as possible.
- Promote distributed
retention, detention, treatment, and infiltration of runoff.
- Capture and reuse stormwater
on site.
- Minimize site disturbance
and compaction of soils through low impact clearing,
grading, and construction measures.
The toolbox of LID integrated
management practices to facilitate these objectives is
extensive, including structural and non-structural designs, and
LID projects are most effective when applied in a treatment
train, or series of complementary stormwater management tools
and techniques. In addition, an LID stormwater management
approach is most effective when sites are evaluated for LID
compatibility as early as possible in the planning process and
site considerations are considered carefully in the design and
construction of each LID practice. This manual supports Sarasota
County’s goal of applying the LID concept and design where
feasible to enhance existing stormwater management measures and
reduce the adverse impacts of land development projects on the
county’s natural resources.
Resources
Presentations
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