Low Impact Development

CLICK ON THE GRAPHIC FOR EDITIONS 1-5 OF THE LID NEWSLETTER

View a Presentations from Low Impact Development Workshop in March 2012

NEW - statewide LID manual available for Michigan. 

Transportation and Water Workshop Resouces

NEW-Wetlands: Connecting Children with Nature

Green Infrastructure Information from the EPA 

Low Impact Development is an ecologically friendly approach to site development and stormwater management that aims to mitigate development impacts to land, water and air. The approach emphasizes the integration of site design and planning techniques that conserve natural systems and hydrologic functions on a site. The practice has been successfully integrated into many municipal development codes and storm water management ordinances throughout the United States.

Why Is Low Impact Development Important?

LID is an important alternative to traditional building that seeks to conserve natural systems and preserve water quality.  What we would like to achieve is to have developers and builders consider how their construction and development will affect the natural world!

Low Impact Development Examples in Southwest Michigan

The links that follow will highlight local examples of Low Impact Developments that showcase residential, urban/downtown infill, municipal parks, industrial and a school utilizing LID techniques.  To find out what you can do to encourage LID in your community:

1. visit our Techniques for Incorporating LID webpage at www.swmpc.org/techniques.asp 

2. read the fact sheet on 10 Things Your Community Can Do to Promote LID.

3. read Low Impact Development Newsletters

Residential

Pokagon Band, Elder Housing, Cass County

Longmeadow Development, Niles Township, Berrien County

River Oaks Development, City of Watervliet, Berrien County

Municipal Parks

Lion's Park, City of Bangor, Van Buren County

Veteran's Park, City of Watervliet, Berrien County

Urban/Downtown Infill

Saugatuck Center for the Arts, City of Saugatuck, Allegan County

Industrial

Dowagiac Industrial Park, City of Dowagiac, Cass County

School

Lawton Middle School, Village of Lawton, Van Buren County

For more information about Low Impact Development, visit these websites:

• EPA LID site-Low Impact Development Strategies and Practices
• Low Impact Development Center 
• Stormwater Manager
• The North and South Rivers Watershed Association
• Techniques for Incorporating LID