Recent LID Projects
U.S. EPA Green Infrastructure Partnership
WERF Urban Green Infrastructure Research
NRDC’s Rooftops to Rivers
California LID Policy Review
Policy Working Groups
Green Infrastructure Demonstration Projects for Washington D.C.’s LTCP
Greening Kansas City’s Overflow Control Plan
Seattle Public Utilities Green Stormwater Infrastructure Manual
American Rivers LID Manual
U.S. EPA’s Rainwater Harvesting Policies
LA County DPW Rainwater Harvesting Assessment
NRDC Rainwater Harvesting Policy Report
Nannie Helen Burroughs Green Highways Project
Town of Edmonston, Maryland LID Green Street
LID Construction and Maintenance Guidance Manual for DDOE
Green Streets Guidance Notebook
Interlocking Concrete Paver Training Program
Green Highways Partnership Training and Development LID
Center
For a list of older LID projects click here.
U.S. EPA Green Infrastructure Partnership
In April 2007, the LID Center, along with the Natural Resources
Defense Council (NRDC), National Association of Clean Water
Agencies (NACWA), and Association of State and Interstate Water
Pollution Control Administrators (ASIWPCA) signed a Statement of
Intent with EPA to promote the benefits of green infrastructure
strategies and encourage its use for municipal stormwater
management. The partnership developed the Green Infrastructure
Action Strategy, outlining research objectives and program
goals. The LID LID Center assists EPA with workshops and conferences
around the country, demonstrating how green infrastructure is
being used to manage stormwater for MS4 and CSO programs. The
conferences are aimed at municipal officials, planners,
designers, and policy makers.
The LID Center has also drafted chapters of EPA’s Municipal Handbook covering different policy topics related to integrating green infrastructure into municipal environmental programs. The chapters include Green Infrastructure Retrofit Policies, Green Streets, Rainwater Harvesting Policies, and Municipal Strategies for Tracking, Monitoring, and Reporting Green Infrastructure. The handbook can be found at: cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/greeninfrastructure/munichandbook.cfm
Screenshot of EPA’s Green Infrastructure Web Site
WERF Urban Green Infrastructure Research
The LID Center is the principal investigator for WERF’s multi-year,
multi-phase research effort entitled Decentralized Stormwater
Controls for Urban Retrofit and Combined Sewer Overflow
Reduction. The effort evaluated the technical and policy
aspects of using green infrastructure in urban applications. The
results of two reports, published in 2006 and 2009, are being
synthesized in a web-based outreach effort targeted toward
various audiences with a stake in urban green infrastructure.
The Phase 1 report, published in 2006, focused on the technical
performance and feasibility of green infrastructure in urban
applications. This effort examined the hydrologic performance
(e.g., retention, infiltration, evapotranspiration) of
appropriate urban green infrastructure practices and their
respective effectiveness at reducing runoff volumes, peak flows,
and pollutant concentrations. The Phase 2 report, published in
2009, presents planning concepts, initiatives, and case studies
that demonstrate approaches for implementing green
infrastructure in urban areas. These approaches are coupled with
concept drawings and sections to link land uses with appropriate
practices.
CCover of Phase 1 Report
The LID Center was the principal researcher and author of NRDC’s Rooftops to Rivers: Green Strategies for Controlling Stormwater and Combined Sewer Overflows. The policy report evaluated the state of urban stormwater control programs and how green infrastructure was being used successfully to reduce runoff and water pollution. The report serves as national policy guidance for developing green infrastructure programs and was a catalyst for initiating US EPA’s program and partnerships. The report is available at: www.nrdc.org/water/pollution/rooftops/contents.asp
CCover of Rooftops to Rivers Report
The LID Center conducted a policy analysis aimed at broadening the
adoption of LID and green infrastructure approaches throughout
the State of California for the State Water Resources Control
Board tormwater Program and the Water Board Academy. The
Report, A Review of Low
Impact Development Policies: Removing Institutional Barriers to
Adoption,
was subsequently published, which evaluated the current
regulatory climate in California, the opportunities to integrate
green strategies, and examples of successful regulatory
approaches used throughout the country to encourage innovative
water protection programs.
CCover of California Policy Analysis
The LID Center has participated in committees and working groups
tasked with developing standards and regulatory approaches to
increase the use of green infrastructure and provide enhanced
environmental protection. The LID Center helped to develop
comprehensive environmental standards to govern redevelopment in
the historic Anacostia section of Washington, D.C. The standards
included enhanced tormwater retention and management standards
framed to encourage green infrastructure. The LID Center also
participated in a subgroup of Washington, D.C.’s stormwater task
force that evaluated incentives and pricing issues associated
with the MS4 program. The subgroup provided recommendations for
a utility fee structure to provide opportunities to incentivize
green infrastructure adoption on private property.
CCover Page of Anacostia Environmental Standards
Green Infrastructure Demonstration Projects
for Washington D.C.’s LTCP
Washington D.C.’s preliminary CSO Long-Term Control Plan (LTCP)
proposed a program dependent solely on grey infrastructure
improvements and tunnel storage. The city was requested to
revise its plan by incorporating green infrastructure to reduce stormwater inflows. The LID
LID Center was on a team of consultants
that conducted a system-wide evaluation of D.C. Water and Sewer
Authority (WASA) facilities to determine LID retrofit
opportunities. Over 15 facilities that are owned or managed by
the utility were under consideration for LID retrofits in order
to reduce CSOs and improve water quality. The LID Center’s role
included an analysis of the operations of each facility,
identification of retrofit opportunities, and determination of
effectiveness at meeting volume, water quality, and timing
controls, as well as maintenance requirements. Cost estimates
and constructability reviews were also included in the reports.
PoPotential LID Improvements at the Potomac Pumping Station
Greening Kansas City’s Overflow Control Plan
CoCover Page of Kansas City, MO Overflow Control Plan
Seattle Public Utilities Green Stormwater
Infrastructure Manual
The LID Center worked with Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) to develop
its Green ormwater Infrastructure Manual. SPU wanted to
provide a technical guidance document that would explain the
agency’s green vision for its water infrastructure and provide a
technical resource for the city’s environmental management
process. The manual provides technical and performance data for
the green infrastructure practices that are appropriate to use
within the city, and a selection matrix that identifies
appropriate practices according to land use and water quality
objectives. It also provides information on the additional
environmental benefits that each practice provides, including
air quality and urban heat island, energy, aesthetics, and
climate change mitigation and adaptability.
Graphical Representation of a Sustainable Site from SPU Manual
GrGraphic produced by the LID LID Center
The LID Center worked with Tetra Tech to develop American Rivers’ Low Impact Development
Manual for the Lower Maumee and Ottawa River Watersheds. The
LID Center provided technical, design, and operations and
maintenance information for structural and non-structural LID
practices. American Rivers produced the manual as a regionally
focused information source for the watersheds that tailored LID
application to specific needs.
CoCover Page of American Rivers Manual
U.S. EPA’s
Rainwater Harvesting
Policies
In 2008, the LID LID Center produced three (3) chapters of U.S.
EPA’s Green Infrastructure Municipal Handbook. The chapter, Rainwater Harvesting
Policies, assessed the institutional and technological
issues that influence the use and acceptance of rainwater
capture and reuse. In addition to the water and environmental
benefits that rainwater harvesting provides, the chapter
evaluated water use characteristics, codes and ordinances,
rainwater treatment standards, and energy demands of water
supply and treatment. The Handbook is a resource for municipal
officials, planners, designers, and policy makers and intended
to provide a resource to support and promote increased use of
green water approaches. The handbook can be found at:
cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/greeninfrastructure/munichandbook.cfm.
CoCover of Rainwater Harvesting Policies
LA County DPW Rainwater Harvesting Assessment
The LID Center, in support of osyntec, evaluated the potential of
rainwater harvesting as a water management strategy for the
County to use for its TMDL compliance. The LID Center authored
several sections of a report delivered to the County that
assessed rainwater harvesting system design and components, cost
and benefits, treatment standards, and recommended code
language. The report also provided case study examples of
rainwater harvesting systems in California and nationwide that
typified the performance and setup of harvesting systems. The
report served as a comprehensive assessment for implementing a
municipal rainwater harvesting program aimed at improved potable
water management and improved stormwater runoff treatment.
Photo of Cistern System in LA County
PhPhoto: TreePeople
NRDC Rainwater Harvesting Policy Report
The LID Center was the principal researcher and author of an NRDC report assessing the potential of rainwater harvesting. The policy report evaluated water use trends, expected population growth demands on water use, climate impacts on water use, water pricing, energy and water linkages, and policy recommendations intended to promote rainwater harvesting. The report is intended to serve as national policy guidance for implementing rainwater harvesting and more sustainable approaches for managing water. The report is scheduled to be published in 2010. :p>
Rainwater Cistern at NRDC’s Santa Monica Office (Inset Photo:
After Planter Planting).
PhPhoto: NRDC
Nannie Helen Burroughs Green Highways Project
The LID LID Center is part of a multi-year Green Highways Partnership and LID grant with DDOT and is working to develop LID and Green Highways planning, design, construction, and maintenance procedures for use in urban areas. This is the first major Green Highways Project in the nation. The LID Center has developed a series of LID pilot designs that are incorporated into the streetscape plans. The designs are based on current DDOT planning and design specifications. The pilot designs were used to evaluate what changes and modifications can be made to DDOT standards and specifications. In order to successfully integrate LID into future DDOT projects, the LID Center has been working with the other project consultants to coordinate the designs and determine the requirements of other design and construction specialties. The LID Center has taken the lead on the public outreach effort and developed techniques and criteria that can be used in future projects to demonstrate and educate the benefits of LID to the community. :p>
InInformational Poster Created by the LID LID Center
Town of Edmonston, Maryland LID Green Street
The Low Impact Development LID Center was the lead planner and
designer for “greening” the Town of monston as part of a
Chesapeake Bay Trust Grant. The mayor and community members are
interested in making Edmonston one of the most environmentally
friendly communities in the country, starting with retrofit of
their main street. The LID Center was responsible for the overall
master plan, design of the Main Street LID elements, and
conducting public workshops.
Decatur Street, Edmonston MD, Photo by LID LID Center
Planting Plan created by the LID LID Center
DeDecatur Street, Edmonston MD post-construction rendition created by LID LID Center
LID Construction and Maintenance Guidance
Manual for DDOE
The LID LID Center is currently preparing an outreach brochure and DVD for DDOE that focuses on a series of materials specifically for builders, engineers, and maintenance personnel. The effort involves coordination with DDOE, builders groups, engineers, developers, researchers, and maintenance personnel to produce materials that meet industry and regulatory requirements. :p>
CoCover page of guidance manual created by the LID LID Center
Green Streets Guidance Notebook
The LID LID Center is preparing a green infrastructure and LID resource notebook for use by State and local departments of transportation. This document will include state-of-the-art approaches, monitoring data, regulatory guidance, details and specifications, and guidance on integration with other resource and environmental programs. This will allow communities to develop green transportation approaches that can be integrated into environmental justice, global warming, Context Sensitive Solutions, green rating systems, Smart Growth and other emerging and innovative community planning and design initiatives. :p>
PoPotential Green Rating System
Interlocking Concrete Paver Training Program
The LID LID Center developed a comprehensive training program for the ICPI on the uses and benefits of Interlocking Concrete Pavers. The LID Center worked with major transportation and water quality research universities, industry, and regulators to develop a series of targeted outreach materials. Materials were tailored for designers, municipal water quality program managers, construction industry, regulators, and building code officials. The LID Center developed outreach brochures, slide presentations, webcasts, and training seminars that were delivered in 2008 and 2009. :p>
CrCross-section graphic developed by LIDC
Green Highways Partnership Training and
Development LID Center
The LID LID Center is developing a training program on Green
Highways that will be delivered as part through the
Transportation and Development Institute of the American Society
of Civil Engineers. The training will include the protocols and
metrics for use at the national level for Green Highways
Partnerships. This effort will include development of processes
and procedures for DOTs to determine the most effective Context
Sensitive Solutions (CSS) for the implementation of Green
Highways and then demonstrate the approach by the use of case
studies that will be developed in collaboration with DOTs,
sustainable construction materials organizations and industries,
Non-profit environmental organizations, and research
universities. The case studies will examine a wide-range of stormwater regulatory and resource protection issues and will
include management and institutional approaches. The LID Center is
developing the process using the EMS approach so that DOTs can
benchmark their efforts against existing programs and can
determine the most efficient method to integrate GHI their
institutional programs.
