Raingarden, Friday Harbor High
School, installed Jan 2007Our 'Green Ground' program promotes practices that protect our natural resources.
We provide information on green infrastructure such as Low Impact Development (LID) options for stormwater for all landowners in San Juan County.
Current development practices can alter the topography and natural hydrology. It also creates impervious surfaces which prevents water from infiltrating into the soil. When it rains pollutants such as oil, fuel, pesticides and heavy metals are carried downhill and downstream by the water. These pollutants can negatively impact our waterways, such as streams, wetlands and near-shore waters. LID can be an effective way of slowing down and filtering rain water runoff.
LID techniques are based on natural mechanisms facilitated by the soil and plants to reduce runoff, slow it down, then filter and clean the water. LID also assists in recharging aquifers.
Our efforts to promote the use of Low Impact Development Techniques include the following:
• LID outreach to new landowners and landowners developing land.
• Work towards the development of more comprehensive water management guidelines for landowners and building trades professionals.
• LID workshops: Stormwater Site Planning, Low Impact Development Techniques: Rain Gardens/Bioretention, Pervious Pavements, etc.
• LID demonstration sites
Low Impact Development Resource List for San Juan County
Low Impact Development Resources SJC 2010
LID home example
Bioswale Planting List