DC is Getting New Green Development and Design Standards

DC is getting new standards for low impact development (LID) and green infrastructure (GI) that will help all public and private construction projects starting this summer to meet new stormwater regulations issued by the District Department of Environment.

DDOT explains the purpose of these new standards in a press release:

"LID and GI practices are methods to restore ecological systems of urban cities.  Hardscape surfaces in cities such as roads and sidewalks lead to significant stormwater runoff and difficult growing conditions for urban trees.  LID designs for streets reduce and filter stormwater runoff at the source before it flows into the storm drain system.  Vegetated stormwater reduction practices such as bioretention areas capture and filter stormwater while creating a streetside amenity. Permeable paving allows water to flow into pavement and through a storage area.  Both types of practices will infiltrate water where the soil conditions are suitable.  Improved tree spaces create larger soil volumes which capture more stormwater and allow capacity for larger, healthier urban trees. "

Georgetown projects are already taking into consideration these new standards. In a recent discussion on the R Street Alleys project, DDOT officials told residents the project would include permeable pavement and other features to reduce surface runoff and meet the new stormwater regulations.

The draft standards may be downloaded from DDOT’s LID website:

http://ddot.dc.gov/DC/DDOT/Projects+and+Planning/Environment/Low+Impact+Development.