When I first heard the phrase “Low Impact Development,” I thought it was referencing a low speed 2-car crash. The way things are these days with plastic bumpers, I really thought the development concerned crumbled bumpers on both cars. Imagine my chagrin when I learned that Low Impact Development has a completely different meaning.
Low Impact Development (LID) is a term to describe a land planning and engineering design approach to manage stormwater runoff as part of green infrastructure. LID emphasizes conservation and use of on-site natural features to protect water quality. LID practices use or mimic natural processes that result in the infiltration, evapotranspiration or use of stormwater in order to protect water quality and associated aquatic habitat. Even that sounds like a mouthful.
Maybe a better way to approach this is to ask, “What are the practices of LID?” Here are a few:
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- Rain gardens and swales
- Rainwater harvesting
- Wetland creation and preservation
- Use of pervious surfaces
- Stream setbacks and riparian buffer zones
- Preservation of tree canopies
- Green corridor preservation
- Greenroofs
- Keeping development densities low
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Aha! Now I get it. When you know how water flows across your land, you can make good choices to slow the flow of water so that it can soak into the ground and down to the aquifer.
When you discover a wetland on your property you can take steps to preserve it.
When you stare out the kitchen window planning the new patio, you can choose to forgo a concrete surface for one that will allow water to soak into the earth.
If you are fortunate enough to own land on the river or on a creek, you can allow the river or creekbanks to “go back to nature.”
When you walk the land and count the trees, you plan for ways to keep all of the trees–the tall ones, the small ones and every tree in between. Somehow, you realize that the Texas Persimmon, the Mt. Laurels and the various sumacs are needed as much as the trees.
You dream of turning your roof into a garden but more than anything, you know that subdivision down the road has reduced lot sizes to 1/10th of an acre so that the developer can cram more houses into a small space and it feels like you can do nothing to change the impending crunch.
A Low Impact Development is not about one thing alone but rather about how you approach the use of land. If you value the land, you will do all we can to preserve it.
You’ll do all all the things that will get you labeled a “tree hugger.”
You’ll do everything possible to limit runoff, slow the flow and conserve water. You will support stream setbacks and buffer zones along the river and creeks.
More importantly, you will raise your voice in opposition to tiny lots and high density neighborhoods.
High density developments with no eye to the future are the Developers’ choice but it does not have to be your choice. You can support strengthening of sub-division rules for Gillespie County.
You can boldly encourage and practice water conservation even when it is raining.
You can join the Native Plant Society of Texas and learn how to xeriscape or wildscape your lawns and then do it.
You can vote for candidates who put conservation first.
Maybe Low Impact Developments are a little like a slow speed 2-car crash in the sense that they are in direct opposition to those who would use up Hill Country resources with little or no remorse, a clash of values. Where do you stand?
https://pedernalesriveralliance.org/
