Abstract
R ecent work into the implementation of low-impact development (LID) suggests that a decentralized, source-control approach has the potential to significantly reduce urban stormwater runoff quantity. The practice of retrofit stormwater management is currently dominated by demonstration projects, and some additional momentum is required to spur upscaling of LID practices so that the scale of this management approach can better match the scale of disturbance, and furthermore broaden adoption of these practices. This momentum may be provided in part by targeted research into effectiveness of stormwater best management practices insofar as research accounts for cost and effectiveness (e.g., water quality benefits, and actual stormwater capture) under a variety of climate conditions. We posit that the factors of increasing public participation in stormwater management; engaging local agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs); application of proven source control methods to mitigate runoff formation; and sciencebased, comprehensive monitoring strategies are all important to the sustainable implementation of retrofit low-impact development. From the perspective of federal researchers and local NGOs, this paper presents features, objectives, and costs of recent efforts to properly scale demonstration projects and broader LID initiatives. In order to realize the full benefits of decentralized LID stormwater management practices in urban and suburban areas, we conclude that a nexus must exist of a motivated and engaged citizenry, solid support from municipal and regional agencies, sound source control management practices, and follow-up monitoring to judge effectiveness.
Highlights
Stormwater runoff is a major environmental stressor in many landscapes across the United States, but in urban landscapes where land use change involves the removal of vegetation and replacement with impervious surfaces such as roadways, sidewalks, driveways and housing
The large proportion of $0 bids indicates that we provided an appropriate incentive to place stormwater management practices on individual parcels
The ultimate goal of the decentralized approach that builds on the levels of government and associated supporting structures is source control of stormwater run-off via participatory stormwater management
Summary
Stormwater runoff is a major environmental stressor in many landscapes across the United States, but in urban landscapes where land use change involves the removal of vegetation and replacement with impervious surfaces such as roadways, sidewalks, driveways and housing. Another primary goal is to match or mimic hydrologic processes present in the pre-development condition For these reasons, LID is a set of techniques that typically operates at small spatial scales (landscapes, residential homes, neighborhoods) and articulates a decentralized approach to linking site design and storm water management objectives across larger spatial scales (municipalities, cities, regions). The large proportion of $0 bids indicates that we provided an appropriate incentive to place stormwater management practices on individual parcels This result may indicate that rain barrels and gardens appeal to landowners and that homeowner perceptions of environmental and aesthetic benefits may be jointly important. Shuster et al.: Front-loading urban stormwater management for success from a second offer of the same suite of LID practices; results from this auction will be presented in future papers but initial values suggest a 50% increase from the number of presently installed rain gardens and barrels. The clear goal for front-loading in each case was to improve the potential outcomes, both in terms of the environmental management goals and the goal of increasing future public participation
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
