HD103 - Final Report of the Low Impact Development Assessment Task Force


Executive Summary:
This final report, prepared by the Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Department of Environmental Quality on behalf of the Low Impact Development Assessment Task Force, provides an introduction to the concept and practices of low impact development (LID). In addition, the report discusses the consolidation of the Commonwealth’s stormwater management programs and the resulting impact on the role and implementation of LID.

LID was developed in response to the shortcomings of conventional stormwater management technology and involves the use of a system of strategically placed, smaller – scale, distributed stormwater management techniques through which we can replicate, replace, or mimic the filtering, storage, and infiltration processes that are critical for maintaining the function of the watershed.

The consolidation of the Commonwealth’s stormwater management programs provides an opportunity for broad incorporation of LID principles and stormwater management principles throughout the development community. This report outlines actions underway by the Department of Conservation and Recreation and other agencies and individuals to meet the LID requirements of stormwater management per Chapter 738 of the 2003 Virginia Acts of Assembly (HB1953) and Chapter 372 of the 2004 Virginia Acts of Assembly (HB1177).

The report concludes that LID evaluation and use in Virginia is well underway and that the understanding of its applications will increase every year. Benchmarks include:

• Several localities are using LID techniques and others are testing LID practices in their efforts to manage stormwater.

• State agencies, such as VDOT, are considering LID in the design of projects.

• The Department of Environmental Quality and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are promoting the use of LID as a means of demonstrating that wetland impacts have been avoided and minimized.

• Additionally, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is promoting the use of LID as a mitigation tool for water quality impacts due to development.

• The consolidation of the Commonwealth’s stormwater management programs should result in additional implementation of LID as DCR develops stormwater regulations that encourage the use of low impact development designs in stormwater management projects.

• The completion of this report concludes the work of the Task Force with the recognition that the promotion and use of LID has and will continue to expand.