Low Impact Development

To mitigate the negative impacts associated with the pipe and drain approach to stormwater management, communities, engineers and designers are getting back to basics and incorporating nature's technology into development plans.  Instead of moving water off-site and into our local waterways untreated, professionals are building facilities that capture rainwater and stormwater runoff and allow it to infiltrate back into the ground.  Not only does this Low Impact Development (LID) approach reduce stormwater flows that impact our local waterways, LID provides a variety of other benefits to the environment, developers and communities.  This approach can reduce the cost of a project, provide vegetated landscapes that are both appealing to look at and effective at treating and reducing stormwater flows; mitigate impacts to fish and wildlife; replenish groundwater supplies; and improve community livability.  There are many different LID practices available, including but not limited to:

Central Point and other Rogue Valley communities are looking for ways to retrofit existing developments and design new projects that incorporate these multi-beneficial facilities.  The City of Central Point encourages the use of Low Impact Development to mitigate the negative impacts associated with stormwater runoff generated by development that increases impervious surfaces in the community, such as roads, roofs, sidewalks and parking lots.  More information will be made available in the near future to assist developers in creating site designs that mitigate stormwater impacts and provide a community amenity.

As a private property owner, you too can incorporate some of these features into your landscape to create a back or front yard habitat, reduce drainage problems, and create beauty for you and your neighbors to enjoy.  To learn how, check out the Oregon Rain Garden Guide, located below, published by Oregon Sea Grant in partnership with Oregon State University and many others.