Low-Impact Development
 About Low-Impact Development
Experience with conventional stormwater best management practices (BMPs), such as pipe and pond technology, has had limited success in maintaining the ecological integrity of receiving water bodies. Municipalities are becoming increasingly concerned about whether these BMPs are being maintained properly and about the costs associated with proper maintenance. Concurrently, land owners and developers are faced with new and more stringent regulations that require them to lose significant amounts of developable property in order to build stormwater ponds or expensive underground detention storage structures. As a result there has been a rising interest in the application of low-impact development technologies.
Low-impact development is a new philosophy in site development that focuses on maintaining pre-development site hydrology, and dispersing and treating runoff on-site, rather than the rapid conveyance of runoff offsite. This is accomplished through relatively simple and inexpensive microscale site planning and hydrologic control techniques such as:
- Minimal site disturbance
- Protection of natural infiltration
- Reduced directly connected impervious surfaces
- Use of open drainage systems
- Use of microscale stormwater controls
- Use of functional landscaping
- Use of other nonpoint source pollution controls
- Public/community outreach
Benefits of Low-Impact Development
Utilizing low-impact development approaches for site development can offer significant economic and environmental benefits. Case studies show cost savings of as much as $5,000 per developed lot. Benefits may include:
 Reduced infrastructure costs- Improved site aesthetics
- Gains in lot yields
- Increases in property value
- Reduced wetland impacts
- Lower impact fees
- Lower maintenance costs
- Enhanced public awareness
- Reduced downstream erosion
- Improved groundwater recharge
- Reduced upland habitat impacts
- Potential for reduced taxes and fees
How PBS&J Fits In
PBS&J provides comprehensive services in the application of low-impact development techniques – from concept through implementation. Our professionals are among the top scientists and engineers providing technical assistance to communities and regulatory agencies in the development of low-impact development guidance and design manuals, quantitative design standards, and quantitative analysis methods. We are a primary sponsor of and active in the Low-Impact Development Center, a nonprofit organization formed in 1998 to serve as a technical clearinghouse for information and issues related to low-impact development.
With expertise in conventional site development strategies as well as low-impact development, and with multidisciplined services that include landscape architecture and construction management as well as environmental engineering and science, we can provide clients with realistic perspectives and creative solutions to their unique needs.
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