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| Berrien County |
Conventional development techniques oftern clear all trees and valuable topsoil from a site and re-grade it so that all water ends up in one large detention basin. Resulting problems include loss of recharge, increased water temperature, decreased water quality and higher runoff volumes. The LID approach, such as protecting our natural features, protects the natural ability of the site to capture precipitation, keep it clean and allow it to recharge the local water table.
Undeveloped sites can have numerous natural features that provide environmental, aesthetic, and recreational benefits if preserved and protected from the impacts of construction and development. These features include wetlands, riparian areas, floodplains, aquifer recharge areas, mature trees, woodlands, and other wildlife habitat.
Restricted areas such as floodplains and steep slopes should also be protected from possible impacts from construction activities. Natural area protection is not limited to undeveloped land; properties that are being redeveloped might have attractive open space, well-drained soils, or riparian areas that should be identified and considered for preservation early in the planning process.
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