SEPTEMBER 3, 2009 ISSUE
Low Impact Development (LID) Certification in Watauga County
According to the U.S. Census, North Carolina will become the seventh most populous state by 2030, with more than 12.2 million residents. Those numbers are very exciting for the local economy, but there is a direct link between how we use the land (the way a site is developed) and environmental and water quality degradation, especially in the mountains with the sloping topography. Clearing the land for development can lead to increased runoff every time it rains.
During a rainstorm, stormwater runoff travels across the landscape and picks up pollutants such as oil and gas from roads, trash and debris, pet waste, sediment, bacteria, metals, road salt, chemicals and fertilizers. Without treatment, the polluted water will flow into the streams and rivers of the county. Stormwater runoff is one of the leading causes of surface water quality degradation in the nation, also producing thermal pollution, degrading river habitat for trout in the mountains, according to Wendy Patoprsty, natural resources agent for Watauga County Cooperative Extension.
One way to reduce developmental impacts is to incorporate Low Impact Development (LID) techniques into the design plan. LID is based on two premises: minimizing impervious areas, and disconnecting impervious areas to the waterways. Integrating LID techniques, such as bioretention, rain gardens, green roofs, permeable pavement, grassy swales, wetlands and cisterns will help reduce the impacts of development on local waterways. All of these techniques also provide open space for humans and wildlife and can be incorporated at minimal cost.
Watauga County Cooperative Extension held a workshop two weeks ago on “Intro to LID and LEED” for planners, developers, Realtors, engineers, landscape architects and other professionals to receive continuing education credits. This course is one of the requirements for the new N.C. State University (NCSU) certification.
Workshop leader Dwane Jones is a faculty member at NCSU specializing in urban design, conservation design, urban and rural planning, stormwater, LID and water quality. Other instructors included Paul Hoffman, LEED AP, consultant for Choate Construction; a general contractor based in Charlotte; and Mitch Woodward, extension specialist in the Neuse River Watershed. The instructors introduced the basic principles of LID and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) as part of the certification process.
North Carolina is the second state in the nation to offer a LID certification after the state of Washington. An individual seeking LID certification must take and pass an exam, and in order to qualify to take the exam, the individual must take three courses: Intro to LID and LEED, Integrating LID and Policy and then one more of the optional courses—Conservation Design, LID and NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System), Bioretention Rain Garden Workshop, Green Roof, Water Harvesting and Permeable Pavement. The certification indicates that the individual has demonstrated the knowledge, expertise and skills necessary to properly design, plan, implement and maintain LID projects in North Carolina.
“The goal of the certification is not to create engineers or urban designers, but to get professionals thinking about the data, analyzing the data and applying it in real life work,” said Patoprsty. “Many of our water quality issues today are based on how we have developed in the past. Focusing on a holistic approach to development by integrating smart growth, conservation design, low impact development and green building, will not only be beneficial for our economy but also the environment.”
For more information on upcoming workshops, click to www.bae.ncsu.edu/training_and_credit/workshops.php, or call Patoprsty at 828-264-3061.
Community Interest
News & Notes
Events
Arts & Entertainment
