Low Impact Development (LID)
Low Impact Development or LID as it is commonly called is a relatively new development strategy. The strategies of Low Impact Development are quickly becoming a critical part of any type of land development project in order to reduce the impacts of storm water runoff, and in particular improve the water quality from completed projects.
LID was initally developed in the Chesapeake Bay area to reduce the adverse impacts of development and storm water on the sensitive bay area and the many environmental resources found there. The general goal of LID is to mimic pre-development hydrologic conditions through the application of five basic concepts.
Steven Trinkaus, processes tremendous technical expertise in this field, which allows him to evaluate and apply the appropriate LID design strategy to a land development project to minimize environmental impacts from the project.
He has researched the implementation of LID in other parts of the United States and evaluated which LID strategies are appropriate for development projects in Connecticut. He has presented at several venues on LID strategies and environmental benefits. He has co-authored LID regulations for the Town of Tolland and authored a LID Design Manual for the Town of Tolland.
He has designed bioretention facilities (rain gardens) for residential and commercial applications; vegetated swales for the conveyance of storm water from residential roads; grass and meadow filter strips for residential roads and lots; constructed wetlands and extened detention ponds for water quality treatment and infiltration systems for residential development.
He strongly believes in the value of continuing professional education in the LID field. He has attended numerous professional education programs by the University of Wisconsin as summarized below to further his knowledge.
“Designing Stormwater Quality Management Practices”.
“Creating and Using Wetlands for Wastewater Disposal and Water Quality Improvement”.
“Cost Effective Drainage System Design”
“Designing On-site Wetland Treatment Systems”
“Engineering and Planning Approaches/Tools for Conservation Design”
“Designing Bio/Infiltration Best Management Practices for Stormwater Quality Improvement”
He has attended the 2nd National Low Impact Development Conference in March of 2007 at Wilmington, NC, the 2008 International LID Conference in Seattle, WA, the 2009 Urban Water Management Conference in Overland Park, KS and the 2009 EWRI World Environmental & Water Resources Congress in Kansas City, MO.
He sponsored a workshop at the University of New Hampshire Stormwater Center in June of 2007 which was attended by 27 individuals from municipalities, a public utility company, engineering firms, conservation district staff and interested members of the public. The purpose of the workshop was to see the independent storm water research being conducted at UNH and the evaluation of both conventional and LID systems for removal of common storm water pollutants.
