Low Impact Development Policy Facilitation

Client: Washington State Department of Ecology
Design and facilitation of a series of meetings between technical experts, municipalities, and the public to produce new standards for the Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington.

Overview of Floyd|Snider Contributions

Facilitation of policy decision-making
Process coordination and documentation
Public involvement

Project Summary

In 2008, the Pollution Control Hearings Board ruled that the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) must require use of Low Impact Development (LID) methods of controlling stormwater within the Municipal Stormwater Permits.

LID emphasizes use of natural features including infiltration to protect water quality. To assist in the development of permit requirements, Ecology conducted an 8-month process to acquire input from two advisory committees focused on technical and implementation opportunities and concerns.

In 2008, the Pollution Control Hearings Board ruled that the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) must require use of Low Impact Development (LID) methods of controlling stormwater within the Municipal Stormwater Permits. LID emphasizes use of natural features including infiltration to protect water quality. To assist in the development of permit requirements, Ecology conducted an 8-month process to acquire input from two advisory committees focused on technical and implementation opportunities and concerns.

Our Approach

Floyd|Snider was engaged by Ecology to design and facilitate both the technical and implementation advisory committees and related public processes.

Advisory committee membership included balanced representation from municipal staff, consultants, and academic experts. All committee meetings were open to the public with opportunities for public input. Floyd|Snider’s work included development of overall strategy for the process, preparation of agendas and supporting materials, facilitation of meetings, documentation, and overall process coordination. At the end of the process, Ecology produced draft permit updates for formal public comment and incorporated the new standards into the Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington.

Floyd|Snider was engaged by Ecology to design and facilitate both the technical and implementation advisory committees and related public processes. Advisory committee membership included balanced representation from municipal staff, consultants, and academic experts. All committee meetings were open to the public with opportunities for public input. Floyd|Snider’s work included development of overall strategy for the process, preparation of agendas and supporting materials, facilitation of meetings, documentation, and overall process coordination. At the end of the process, Ecology produced draft permit updates for formal public comment and incorporated the new standards into the Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington.

Project Team

Floyd|Snider
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