As defined by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency, Low Impact Development (LID) refers to a variety of practices designed to mimic natural drainage to manage stormwater flow. The overarching goal is to minimize the impact of development on the natural landscape and environment. In contrast to high impact development with mostly impervious surface and grey infrastructure, these practices encourage stormwater percolation into the soil. In addition to managing stormwater volume, this helps to filter out pollutants that may be picked up by stormwater as it makes its way to natural waterways.
 
What are the Benefits of LID? 
Economic

• cut costs associated with traditional infrastructure materials (such as curb, pavement, basin outlet/inlet structures, pipe conveyance systems, culverts, etc.)
• reduce clearing/grading costs (less disturbance = less of this work)
• increase value of residential lots (larger lots with more green space/natural vegetation)
• reduce landscaping costs (working around the natural areas that are already available on-site)
• reduce pollutant loading to ground water and drinking source water (reduces water treatment process costs)
• reduce long-term life cycle costs   
  
  

Environmental

• provide habitat for local pollinators
• effective stormwater volume management to reduce stream channel erosion
• reduce downstream pollutant loading
• reduce urban heat island effect  
  
  

Aesthetic

• vegetation and flowers add aesthetic value to built landscapes
• education and recreational opportunities
• provide ecosystems that deter mosquito breeding and other pests
  
  

Can LID Techniques be Used in Warren County?
Yes! In 2020, Warren County updated its stormwater regulations and technical design guide to allow for green infrastructure practices for water quality best management such as wetlands, permeable pavements, infiltration practices, and bioretention. Not only is low impact development permissible in the county, but with the numerous benefits, it is strongly encouraged! 

Other examples of Green Infrastructure that can be used as part of a Low Impact Development plan can be found here: https://www.epa.gov/green-infrastructure/what-green-infrastructure

Additional Resources
​www.warrenswcd.com/rain-gardens.html
https://www.epa.gov/nps/urban-runoff-low-impact-development
http://www.wceo.us/

One of the requirements for stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPPs) is to include an implementation schedule for major construction operations. This includes things like clearing, grubbing, excavating, grading, utility installation, and other similar activities.
​
The Ohio EPA Rainwater and Land Development manual includes a table of what this general sequence should look like: https://epa.ohio.gov/static/Portals/35/storm/technical_assistance/6-24-09RLDCh8.pdf (pg 13)
​
There are steps that should be taken as early in the construction process as possible to avoid problems with sediment and erosion control later in the project. 

Let’s breakdown those crucial early steps:

• Protect your natural areas. As construction activity is commencing, everyone working on the site should be aware of protected forested areas, streams, and wetlands that should not be disturbed. These should be marked off with easily identifiable fencing. If areas that were meant to be left alone get impacted, it can cause harm to sensitive natural areas and may also be in violation of other state and federal permits.
• Construct an area where equipment and vehicles have a clean exit from the site. A proper construction entrance/exit should consist of ODOT #1/#2's aggregate over a geotextile base. The proper aggregate size helps to ensure there will be enough vibration under the tires to kick mud off equipment and vehicles before leaving the construction site. It is best to have this installed as soon equipment and trucks are moving on and off the site to prevent off-site tracking.
• Install perimeter controls around all areas planned for disturbance. Clearing trees (root ball and all), grubbing, and grading work results in exposed soils. That sediment must be contained on the construction site. Perimeter controls need to be up around the entire perimeter of disturbance to help intercept sediment-laden discharges from moving off-site during rain events.
• Construct temporary basins. Basin construction should be part of the initial phase of construction. Basins must be installed and functional before any upslope development. As soon as the basin is dug, apply temporary seeding treatment to ensure embankments are stabilized throughout construction. Doing this early in the process helps to prevent erosion in the basin and sediment storage problems. The basin outlet structure should also have a skimmer device installed as soon as possible for de-watering off the surface of the basin rather than lower depths of water where more sediment is present.
• Follow construction timeline for remaining controls. Other sediment and erosion controls should also be installed as soon as possible. For example, when streets are installed, a sweeping schedule should be established. As new catch basins or street inlets are installed, get inlet protection on them right away. As lot development begins, make sure individual lot controls are in place. When concrete pouring is in full swing, there should be a designated washout area with controls.
• Communicate with your SWPPP inspector! Keep your inspector in the loop when new phases of the project begin in between inspection periods. If there are changes to the timeline or problems with getting certain controls established, let your inspector know so that they can help provide guidance that can help to keep things on track.  

Monarch Homes and Diggit Excavating met with Warren Co SWCD at a pre-construction meeting with the City of Lebanon where the requirements and sequence of sediment and erosion controls measures were discussed. Since that meeting, the team has been in constant contact with Warren Co SWCD, proving updates on initial groundbreaking and the control installation timelineas well as any changes to controls being used on the construction site.

As soon as clearing and grading work was set to begin, there was a proper construction entrance in place and silt fence around the clearing boundaries that was supplemented with a mulch berm from the on-site clearing. The basin was dug as part of the first phase as well. The basin will be temporarily stabilized and have a skimmer installed on the outlet once installed. 

​We asked our friends at Diggit Excavating for their take on how communication has helped with the development process from their perspective:
​

This is a great example of communication between our agency and developers and contractors on projects and how compliance can begin right out of the gate as a new project begins. This proactive approach helps to avoid many complications later in the construction process. ​