Stormwater carries sediment and water-borne pollutants into our lakes and streams, lowering the water quality. Low-impact design reduces the environmental impacts of a built or disturbed area by reducing the amount stormwater leaving the development site. Some LID design components can be complicated and expensive, while others are easy and cheap enough for homeowners to implement themselves. Large-scale LID projects can have a big impact, but smaller scale projects can make a big difference too! The links below provide guidance for communities and developers considering large-scale LID projects, as well as handy ideas for reducing your impact around the home.
UMaine Cooperative Extension provides information on maintaining water quality and has a great site devoted to their own rain garden
The Maine Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council has information on LID projects in Maine
This LID Fact Sheet is provided by the Muskie School at the University of Southern Maine
The Low-Impact Development Center provides a wealth of LID information
This LID brochure shows individuals how they can build their own rain barrel or grow a rain garden. It's provided by the Center for Watershed Protection.
LaMarr Cannon of Maine NEMO gives a talk on low-impact development at a recent HCPC workshop.
For more information on low-impact development, or if you are an area contractor that provides LID-consistent services, contact Jen Boothroyd at HCPC.