College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

Low Impact Design:

Principles, Techniques, and Application

Master’s Plan B Defense

 By

Jeffrey Astrein

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

130 Natural Resources Building

Abstract

Stormwater runoff is increasingly becoming a problem due to adverse impacts such as diminished water quality, flooding, and combined sewage overflows. All of these factors cost all levels of government and homeowners money. In attempt to remediate these issues, low impact design (LID) has been brought to the forefront of stormwater management. Low impact design employs soft engineering practices which treats and retains stormwater onsite instead of diverting it into storm drains and water bodies as quickly as possible. Traditional stormwater infrastructure, such as concrete pipes and metal pipes are crumbling and are more expensive to build and maintain compared to low impact design techniques. Despite the benefits and cost savings of low impact design, local governments and communities have been reluctant and resistant to change. The purpose of this project is to inform the public through the Ingham County Michigan Drain Commissioner’s website about low impact design and what they, as homeowners, can do to embrace LID practices. 

Committee Members:

• Dr. Charles Nelson, Chairperson
• Dr. Jon Bartholic, Member