State board says it’s time for low-impact development
August 9th, 2008 by cdunaganLow-impact development is coming, one way or another, and nobody seems to be raising any serious objections.
The state Pollution Control Hearings Board issued a ruling this week that emphasizes the importance of putting water back into the ground, as opposed to building traditional stormwater ponds. It will be cheaper for developers in most cases, the board says. See my story in today’s Kitsap Sun.
Art Castle of the Home Builders Association of Kitsap County says that market forces are already moving developers in that direction. His organization is working with a task force to create development regulations designed to mesh low-impact development rules with other building codes.
Several folks working for environmental groups tell me that they recognize Kitsap County’s efforts in moving toward low-impact development, but they would like to see the techniques used everywhere. That’s why they appealed the stormwater rules issued by the Department of Ecology.
Let’s be honest about Kitsap County’s situation. The county’s current stormwater rules, developed in the 1980s and relying mainly on ponds, don’t begin to mimic natural conditions. Until much larger ponds are required, such as spelled out in the state’s 2005 stormwater manual, low-impact development may or may not be the choice of developers. A lot depends on whether they understand the alternatives and regulatory options and are willing to avoid cutting trees and compacting soils while installing new kinds of pavement and structures such as rain gardens.
The Pollution Control Hearings Board has placed everyone on firm notice that the board believes that LID is the way to go — and the sooner the better. The Home Builders Association project should help a great deal.
You can find a lot of information about low-impact development on Web sites of the Puget Sound Partnership and Home Builders Association.
At some point, the Pollution Control Hearings Board decision should be posted on its Web site. Look for the “Puget Soundkeeper Alliance” case.
Tags: Home Builders Association of Kitsap County, low impact development, Pollution Control Hearings Board
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