CT Slow to Embrace New Solutions to Stormwater Runoff Pollution

A Rain Garden in Torrington

The CT Mirror published an article this morning pointing out both the benefits of Low Impact Development (LID), as well as the difficulties moving forward without an overarching state mandated LID policy.  Low Impact Development is defined as a host of techniques, zoning, and engineering practices designed to more environmentally handle stormwater runoff, which in Connecticut has a major impact the water quality in Long Island Sound.  Individual towns in the state have begun adopting LID practices to prevent stormwater runoff and promote natural water filtration, but without statewide standards the efforts thus far have been hit-or-miss.  At the state level, LID gets little attention and minimal funding even though there is a demonstration project on the state Capitol grounds. Unlike the sweeping policy, coordination, and financing mechanism the state now has for energy, communities and even state agencies interested in LID in CT are basically on their own.  Although Connecticut isn't at the forefront of implementing LID techniques, the practice in the region is advancing.  The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the agency in charge of many local LID projects, hopes that communities will see their work and inquire about using LID strategies in their own towns.  At this point, the funding is not so widely available that projects can easily be promoted by other than word of mouth.  The DEEP views their progress thus far as a series of seeds that will hopefully advance LID in the rest of the state.

To read the full article, click here.