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![]() Oklahoma Low Impact Development |
General LID and Stormwater Regulation
Control and management of stormwater volume and water quality is an important concern for the people of Oklahoma. In 2003, the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality adopted “Phase II” stormwater regulations that required smaller cities with “Urbanized Area” to comply with Phase II stormwater permits. In Oklahoma, the two Phase I cities (Tulsa and Oklahoma City) each have individual permits, while approximately 45 Phase II areas come under the General Permit (OKR04) Phase II Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System. To meet EPA requirements, these communities, along with the Phase I communities of Oklahoma City and Tulsa, will need to implement stormwater control structures and practices
that are both practical and sustainable.
A popular and effective approach for stormwater management and control uses the principals of low impact development (LID). LID is the practice of minimizing changes to the hydrologic cycle (runoff and infiltration after a storm) during and after development. LID strategies integrate green space, native landscaping, natural hydrologic functions, and various other techniques to generate less runoff from developed land. However, the implementation of LID into stormwater systems requires institutional knowledge of how to construct and maintain the practices once they are implemented. Additionally, the soils of Oklahoma introduce unique situations and challenges for the proper selection and implementation of appropriate LID practices for stormwater treatment and control within the landscape.
General LID and stormwater regulation in the News
Houston Chronicle: LID project first in area
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Pilot irrigation system takes a load off storm sewers
KATC.com: Lafayette Public Works encourages Low Impact Development
Environment360: To Tackle Runoff, Cities Turn to Green Initiatives
Forbes: Smart Communities will Build Green Infrastructure
...click here for older general LID news stories
Los Angelos Times: Supreme Court to hear dispute over polluted runoff in L.A. County
Maine Telegram: Panel backs adoption of Portland stormwater fee
Associated Press: Wisconsin town barred from beefing up farm water rules
Mid-Columbia Tri-City Herald: Stormwater permits have new regulations 'to mimick Mother Nature'
Los Angelos Times: New storm water runoff rules could cost cities billions
Fact Sheets
Decreasing Runoff and Increasing Stormwater Infiltration, Virginia Tech
Low Impact Development-A Sensible Approach to Land Development and Stormwater Management, California Water and Land Use Partnership
Low Impact Develop-an economic fact sheet, North Carolina Cooperative Extension
Low Impact Development, Washington State University Extension
Green Infrastructure in Arid and Semi-Arid Climates, US EPA
Checklist for Minimizing Vector Production in Stormwater Management Structures, California Department of Public Health
A Conceptual Guide to Effective Green Streets Design Solutions, US EPA
Chicago's Green Alleys-Stormwater BMP's at Work, Chicago Department of Transportation
Improving Exfiltration from BMPs: Research and Recommendations, Improve the performance of stormwater practices with research-based construction methods, North Carolina State University Extension
Water for sustainable urban human elements, UN World Water Assessment Programme
Videos
Horizon TV segment on Runoff from lawns and pavement, featuring Jason Vogel, OSU Stormwater Specialist
Low Impact Development Maintenance, Center for Watershed Protection
Low Impact Development Construction, Center for Watershed Protection
Low Impact Development Inspection, Center for Watershed Protection
epa.gov (video): Building Green--A Success Story in Philadelphia
Bulletins, journal articles, and Handbooks
Survey of Stormwater Fees in Okahoma, June 2011, compiled by City of Claremore, INCOG, and GCSA
City of Broken Arrow Low Impact Development Manual, City of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Low Impact Development--Opportunities for the PlanET Region, City of Knoxville
Green Infrastructure Techniques, Grow NYC
Sustainable Building Sourcebook, City of Austin
Managing Stormwater in Redevelopment and Greenfield Development Project Using Green Infrastructure, ECONorthwest
Forging the Link: Linking Economic Benefits of LID and Community Decisions, University of New Hampshire, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Antioch University New England
Minnesota Stormwater Management Handbook, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
The Value of Green Infrastructure: A Guide to Recognizing Its Economic, Social and Environmental Benefits, Center for Neighborhood Technology
Site Design and Landscape Planning SD-10, California Stormwater BMP Handbook
Stormwater BMP Maintenance General Guidelines, City of High Point, North Carolina
Design of a Green Infrastructure “Retrofit” as an Alternative to Conventional Stormwater Management for a Residential Subdivision, a proceedings paper from Low Impact Development 2010: Redefining Water in the City by K.E. Thomas and D. Wible
Incentive Policies to Promote the Use of Enhanced Stormwater BMPs in New Residential Developments, research paper from Clemson University
Past OSU Training Sessions
Stormwater 101, Weatherford, OK, March 25, 2011
Other General LID and stormwater Regulation Web Sites
Green Country Stormwater Alliance--this site has lots of great information about stormwater regulations and stormwater issues in Oklahoma, especially in northeast Oklahoma
Low Impact Development Urban Design Tools, Low Impact Development Center
California LID Portal, California Stormwater Quality Association