What Exactly is Low Impact Development (LID)?

Low Impact Development (LID) may seem like an oxymoron since development has to have some kind of impact. Right? Certainly any construction does impact its surroundings, but the effect development has on the local environment can actually be negative or positive.

In laymen’s terms, LID refers to land planning and engineering practices that mitigate the impact of stormwater pollution on the local environment.

In many cases, such as urban areas like Los Angeles, land has already been developed, yet up to date pollution controls are not always in place. In other instances when newer developments implement LID at the onset of construction, water pollution from urban runoff can be greatly decreased.

Examples of LID implementation may be bioswales, or areas where water is caught by natural vegetation or other sources before it reaches the storm drain. Another example is rain barrels, which can be attached to a residential home’s downspout in order to capture water before it runs through the streets to the stormwater system.

In short, LID not only improves water quality, it helps to improve our communities by decreasing pollution.

For more detailed information on LID, please visit our website at http://lastormwater.org/Siteorg/program/LID/lidintro.htm

Please take a look at our other LID-related blog posts:

- Board of Public Works Weighs in on LID Ordinance

- Input Needed - Attend the Low Impact Development ordinance community meeting (12/01)

- What exactly is Low Impact Development?

- How will the Low Impact Development ordinance affect LA’s water quality?

- Why is LA’s Bureau of Sanitation department proposing a Low Impact Development ordinance?

- What folks are saying about the Low Impact Development Ordinance – reactions from community groups, businesses and residents

Board of Public Works Weighs in on Low Impact Development Ordinance

This is the first in a series of Low Impact Development (LID) Ordinance updates. Your input and engagement is vital to this process so please stay tuned.

On Friday, November 13, the Board of Public Works discussed the Bureau of Sanitation’s proposed Low Impact Development (LID) ordinance. A total of 30 community members attended the meeting and spoke during the public comment period. In a 2-1 vote the Board decided to postpone their decision about the ordinance until December 11, 2009.

The proposed ordinance calls for all new or re-development projects to capture, infiltrate and use the runoff that is a result of a storm of .75 inches or less. This will prevent pollutants from leaving the development site. If developers are unable to meet these requirements they would be required to provide mitigation projects at other sites or pay a fee to the City to fund other pollution prevention projects.

While the Board agrees that the LID ordinance is important, they would like to allow for more direct, public input on the issue. The Stormwater Program will therefore be hosting an additional community meeting (similar to the October meetings) to encourage public comment.

A meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 1 at 6:30-8:30 at the City of Los Angeles, Bureau of Sanitation, Media Technical Center (2714 Media Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90065) to allow residents to provide input on the matter. All are welcome to attend!

Please stay tuned for these upcoming LID-related blog posts:

- Board of Public Works Weighs in on LID Ordinance

- Input Needed - Attend the Low Impact Development ordinance community meeting (12/01)

- What exactly is Low Impact Development?

- How will the Low Impact Development ordinance affect LA’s water quality?

- Why is LA’s Bureau of Sanitation department proposing a Low Impact Development ordinance?

- What folks are saying about the Low Impact Development Ordinance – reactions from community groups, businesses and residents

Your Input Needed! Attend the Low Impact Development Ordinance Meeting (12/1)

Dear Clean Water Supporter,

If you weren't able to attend one of October's Low Impact Development community meetings, you still have a chance to provide your input!

The Stormwater Program invites you to an evening community meeting to encourage public participation and comment on the proposed LID Ordinance for the City of Los Angeles.

Please join us in supporting clean water and clean neighborhoods:

What: City of Los Angeles LID Ordinance Community Meeting

When: Tuesday, December 1, 20096:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Where: City of Los Angeles Bureau of SanitationMedia Technical Center 2714 Media Center Drive Los Angeles, CA 90065

Who: Los Angeles homeowners, developers, environmental groups and all interested parties are encouraged to attend

Please direct questions and your RSVP to lastormwater@lacity.org.

Your input and engagement is vital to this process, so please stay tuned for upcoming LID-related posts.

Sincerely,

Shahram Kharaghani

L.A. Stormwater Program Manager

LOS ANGELES AND EL SEGUNDO CELEBRATE A COMPLETED WATER QUALITY PROJECT

Los Angeles City Councilman Bill Rosendahl of District 11, El Segundo Mayor Kelly McDowell, Public Works Commissioner Paula Daniels and other dignitaries celebrated today the completion of the Imperial Highway Sunken Median Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP) project. A gathering was held on Imperial Highway between Pershing Drive and Main Street, and was concluded with theplanting of a tree named "Fred" by Tree Musketeers youth manager Julian Poyourow.

The project was conceptualized by the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation as one of the 32 stormwater improvements funded by the voter-approved Proposition O Clean Water Bond. The project installed a biofiltration system comprised of vegetated swales and an infiltration trench that will collect runoff from a 7.5-acre area and remove bacteria, oil, trash and suspended solids from stormwater that would otherwise be discharged to Santa Monica Bay. Shrubs and trees were also planted in the project area, and an automated irrigation system that uses recycled water was installed.

For more information about this project, visit www.eng.lacity.org/iuprs or call the Department of Public Works, Public Affairs Office at (213) 978-0333. To learn about the Tree Musketeers, see http://www.treemusketeers.org/.

CA Legislature Passes Water Conservation Bill

The state Legislature finished with one piece of a multi-part water package Tuesday when the Assembly approved a bill mandating a statewide drop in per capita water use. The package, which includes an $11.1-billion bond that must go before voters, would nudge California in new directions on water policy while giving something to each of the major factions that have warred over the state's supplies.

The bond sets aside $3 billion for new storage and $2 billion for ecosystem restoration in the deteriorating Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. It would also fund recycling and groundwater cleanup important to Southern California, pay for Salton Sea restoration, and watershed projects on the Los Angeles and San Gabriel rivers.

For more information, go to the LA Times article.

FREE Planter Boxes for Businesses (Est Value: $4,500)

We’ve received an overwhelming number of residential applicants for the L.A. Rainwater Harvesting Program, so we thank you for your interest and commitment to protecting water quality!

We do still have available spots for businesses that are interested in receiving a FREE, custom-made planter box. These tailored planter boxes help beautify the property and treat rainwater by capturing and filtering it, thereby reducing the flow of toxic runoff flowing to the ocean. These custom planter boxes are valued at $4,500, but they will be provided at no cost to the businesses for this pilot program! There are less than 10 spots available, so please make sure to sign up soon.

Eligibility requires that the property be a business located within the Ballona Creek Watershed (see green outline).

Visit http://larainwaterharvesting.org/ to sign-up online and please pass this message along to any friends you think may be interested!