Washington State Decision Makes LID Mandatory

By Henrietta H. P. Locklear; she is with AMEC Earth and Environmental Inc. in Raleigh, NC.
LID, low impact development, are techniques used to reduce the impact of stormwater runoff by using green practices, such as wetlands, rain gardens, vegetative roofs, etc. In Washington state, LID poised to being implemented on a more-widespread basis. A decision in a Washington state lawsuit over National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit language, issued in August 2008, concludes that the Washington “Phase I Permit must be modified to require the use of LID where feasible, as it is necessary to meet the MEP [maximum extent practicable] and AKART [all known and reasonable technology] standards of federal and state law, respectively” (Pollution Control Hearings Board, PCHB, 2008). Because of the ruling, Phase I permittees in Washington will now require new developments to implement these green infrastructure practices, LID, where feasible. The Phase I ruling is the first decision that directly requires LID to be implemented through means of an NPDES permit. The Washington decision itself notes that the EPA has not required LID, but is increasingly supporting it through publications, fact sheets, and its Web site (PCHB 2008). >>See more http://www.stormh2o.com/july-august-2009/washington-state-decision-1.aspx or see more about LID, sustainablity or other environmental issues at my web site:http://www.dongreenenvironmental.com/index.html