Key Site Design Choices for the Watershed Manager
- Will better site design reduce the amount of
impervious cover in my subwatershed?
- What are the most important development rules
that need to be changed to promote better site
- What incentives can be used to encourage
developers to utilize better site design?
- What is the time frame for revising codes and
Notes:
When using better site design tools, a watershed manager should be realistic about how much impervious cover can be reduced through better site design in a subwatershed. While better site designs can reduce the impacts of individual development projects, the cumulative impact of too much development can still degrade water resources, no matter how well each site is designed. The value of the site design tool appears to be greatest in those subwatersheds that are approaching their maximum impervious cover limit. Thus, a watershed manager needs to make some careful choices on how to best promote better site designs within a subwatershed.
For more information on the principles of better site design, refer to the �Better Site Design� slide show.