Statewide: Low Impact Development Workshops
The University of Texas provided intensive workshops and consultations to promote low impact development policies and practices in seven regions.
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Background
Low impact development (LID) is a comprehensive approach that incorporates or mimics natural processes (e.g., filtration, sedimentation, evapotranspiration) into site planning, design, or redevelopment with the goal of managing surface water runoff volume and reducing pollution as close to the source as possible. Examples include rain gardens, porous pavement, green roofs, and rainwater harvesting for later use. LID can be an important and effective way to mitigate the water quality problems caused by urbanization. For more information, visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Low Impact Development webpage.
Back to topProject Description
Two research units at the University of Texas (UT), the Center for Research in Water Resources and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, provided a series of intensive LID workshops in seven Texas urban areas that had water quality concerns: Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, the Lower Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, and Waco.
UT also gathered information on local policies in these regions that help or hinder the use of LID and consulted with local government officials and staff about them. Using this information, they generated six region-specific guides for selecting and designing the best LID features, and documented policy changes, LID implementation or plans for implementation as a result of these workshops and consultations. The project was completed in August 2012.
For More Information
To find out more about the NPS Program, call 512-239-6682 or e-mail us at nps@tceq.texas.gov.