08/30/2000 Env Bd Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Dakota County_$oil and Water Conservation District Low Impact Development initiative The Dakota County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), in partnership with the Metropolitan Council, Minnesota Land Trust, developing cities and townships, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, developers, and others, is undertaking an intensive campaign to promote and reinforce incorporation of low impact development concepts into new and existing developments. Environmental Impacts of Urban Development Urban development causes an overall imbalance in the hydrology of a watershed. As sidewalks, roads, parking lots, rooftops, and other hard surfaces that inhibit water from infiltrating into the ground are constructed, more water runs off the land and less water is incorporated into groundwater. During storms, the rainwater flows .off impervious areas very quickly into stormsewers that often discharge directly into natural streams, wetlands, and lakes. • Low Impact Development Solves the Problem • The Dakota SWCD will assist local units of government to implement an important component of smart growth: Low impact development (LID) LID integrates ecological and environmental considerations into all phases of urban planning, design, and construction. The goal of low impact development is to eliminate or minimize the impacts of urbanization on the natural water processes occurring within the watershed. What the LID Initiative Will Do • Establish two to three state-of-the-art demonstration projects • Provide financial incentives to developers/landowners to incorporate LID concepts • Work with local units of government to adopt stormwater ordinances that promote/require incorporation of LID concepts to the extent practicable • Actively promote the initiative through a variety of outreach and educational activities • Implement (develop if necessary) protocols for identifying and prioritizing subwatersheds where. LID practices will have the greatest positive impact Low Impact Development Saves Money and Saves Our Natural Resources! Questions? Call Jay Riggs, Dakota SWCD, at 651 -484 -7779 or email at jay.riggs(a3co.dakota.rnn.us.