Low impact development (LID) and green infrastructure solutions include a range of ecologically-friendly approaches to site development and stormwater management that minimize and mitigate impacts to land, water, and air. LID integrates site planning and design techniques that conserve natural systems and hydrologic functions, resulting in a variety of benefits, including:

• Minimizing land disturbance and preserving open space

• Protecting natural systems and processes (stream corridors, trees and vegetation, wetlands, soils, habitats, sensitive areas) and incorporating these natural elements as design features

• Repurposing and resizing traditional site infrastructure to expand functions and improve efficiencies (streets, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, parking areas, parks and gardens, lots, etc.)—looking for opportunities to achieve multiple functions (such as planting areas that are also rain gardens or parking lanes that also infiltrate stormwater through permeable paving)

• Decentralizing and micromanaging stormwater at its source, improving water quality, increasing infiltration and groundwater recharge, and reducing the need for traditional stormwater infrastructure

Otak has successfully integrated LID approaches in public and private projects in the US and abroad since our firm was established over three decades ago.  In fact, Otak’s commitment to sustainability goes beyond site-specific LID techniques to other green solutions, such as integrated land use and transportation in community planning and design, land use patterns that support smart growth, and complete streets that serve all transportation modes—transit, bicycling, walking, and motor vehicles.

Recognizing that LID technologies are constantly advancing, our firm has made a commitment to be at the leading edge of LID best practices. Four Otak professionals participated in intensive university programs this year to receive certificates in LID: Greg Laird (nickname = Mr. LaIrD), principal and senior project manager; Mandi Roberts, principal in urban planning and landscape architecture; Kate Rhoads, water quality specialist, and Jeremy Andrews, water resources engineer. The LID certification programs, offered through Washington State University/Puget Sound Partnership and University of Washington, covered curriculum related to the foundations of LID, practical applications of LID, and implementing LID projects.  Participants gained a thorough knowledge of recent advances in products and techniques that can be applied directly to our client’s projects to maximize their investments in infrastructure. Otak will continue to send professionals through LID certification programs in the coming years.

Jeremy Andrews said, “The comprehensive courses allowed me collaborate directly with engineers, landscape architect and planners from other organizations and share lessons learned from planning, building and maintaining LID facilities around the Puget Sound area.”

For more information about the LID certification programs and LID in general, visit the following websites:
http://www.puyallup.wsu.edu/stormwater/lid/
http://www.pce.uw.edu/certificates/low-impact-development.html
http://www.lowimpactdevelopment.org/
http://www.lid-stormwater.net/background.htm
http://www.epa.gov/owow/NPS/lid/