Leadership in Low Impact Development Recognition Program

Welcome

This project was an Assistance Agreement from EPA Region 3. It was developed to serve as a model for Low Impact Development (LID) award programs for local governments and other EPA Regions.
Project Website: www.lowimpactdevelopment.org/recognition

Project Goal and Outcomes

To establish a forum in which innovative and sustainable stormwater infrastructure planning and construction efforts may receive recognition and to increase public awareness about stormwater management and LID. A recognition program will provide additional incentives to incorporate LID techniques and controls into local regulatory and stormwater management programs.

Review Panel

An expert panel was assembled to help review criteria and select exemplary projects. The panel consisted of seven to nine individuals from academia, development, local government, state government, federal government, design and engineering firms, and stakeholder groups. The review panel was guided by the LID Center and selected based on their expertise in incorporating LID and resource protection programs. The assembled panel reviewed candidate LID projects and evaluate each project’s benefits in accordance with a number of criteria. The review process and recognition of outstanding projects will reward sustainable stormwater controls and educate the public about the water quality benefits to be gained through the use of LID.

Candidate LID Projects

Award areas included:

• state, federal, and local government projects,

• monitoring projects,

• school projects,

• revitalization, transportation,

• environmental restoration,

• community involvement and outreach,

• visionary and student projects,

• codes and ordinances,

• contractors and builders,

• private sector design projects

Selection Criteria

The use of LID practices offers community development, economic, and environmental benefits and incentives that result in improved water quality and greater understanding and acceptance of environmental programs. Quantitative criteria will be developed to assess candidate projects in each award area. The criteria and evaluations will be posted as a foundation for other LID and sustainable design award programs can be developed.

Winners were announced in the spring of 2007.