LID Municipal Self-Assessment and Resources

In 2011, RI DEM asked all Rhode Island municipalities to complete the first round of self-assessments to identify how they proposed to incorporate low impact development (LID) techniques into their community’s rules and regulations. Since then, RI DEM has found that the number of applications without LID still exceeds those with proper LID design. As water quality impairments from stormwater runoff continue to increase throughout the state, the need for better development practices is evident.

Although developers are required to apply LID stormwater practices, municipal ordinances often either prevent the use of LID designs or favor conventional practices. Since municipalities’ post-construction program must be consistent with the Rhode Island Stormwater Management, Design, and Installation Rules under the MS4 permit, RI DEM will be requesting municipalities to complete the assessment, identify ordinance changes that can incorporate LID, and submit results as part of the MS4 permitting program’s annual reporting. The process of completing the assessment will help municipalities understand model LID practices.

The self-assessment allows an in-depth review of the standards, ordinances, and regulations that shape development in your community, which directly influences the health and quality of land and water resources. The assessment attempts to guide you through a systematic comparison of your local development rules against current model development principles. The questions identify specific methods to reduce runoff from new construction and redevelopment and include topics ranging from open space and land disturbance to impervious surfaces and soil erosion control.

This assessment has been significantly updated from the 2011 version, with many new questions taken from guidance provided by the EPA and the Center for Watershed Protection. The self-assessment provides a comprehensive set of possible planning and design techniques for your consideration, though we recognize that not all of them will be possible for every municipality. Detailed instructions for completing the assessment are provided.

LID Site Planning and Design Techniques: A Municipal Self-Assessment

Access a PDF of the self-assessment.

Municipal Self-Assessment Resources

Expanded Notes Section: An Optional Addendum to the Self-Assessment

A document for tracking notes and comments while completing the self-assessment.

Municipal Presentation Template: Use When Gathering Your Team

A PowerPoint presentation (with speaker notes) outlining the importance of completing the assessment.

Municipal Presentation Template: Use for Amendment Process Meeting/Hearing Presentation

A PowerPoint presentation to share after the assessment has been completed.

What is the Municipal LID Self-Assessment Tool?

A factsheet explaining the self-assessment.

Where to Find LID in Local Regulations

A cheat sheet to help identify where in local regulations various LID techniques would typically be found.

Low Impact Development for Your Community: Better Site Design to Conserve Land, Protect Water Quality, and Reduce Development Costs

A factsheet explaining the importance of community-led LID initiatives.

The Municipal Self-Assessment and accompanying resources were produced by RI NEMO with funding from RI DEM and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RI DOT).