The County received funding from two Prop 40 Urban Stormwater grants to help fund the design and construction of two Low Impact Development (LID) demonstration projects; one in Santa Margarita and one in Templeton, development of a LID Handbook (LID Design Standards Manual), and evaluation of potential LID incentives programs.  Currently, these grant programs are on hold due to the State's financial crisis.  This webpage provides information about the LID Demonstration Projects, the LID Handbook, and the Draft LID Incentive Programs as they progress. 

                          Santa Margarita LID Project

 Click here to read more about the design features of the Santa Margarita LID demonstration project shown above including the native plant palette selected.

Construction of the bioswales in Santa Margarita was completed in August 2007.  Here is a photo taken on April 11, 2008 showing the bioswales nearly completely revegetated.   

Here is a close up of the yellow flower, Gold Fields, that predominates in the native plant mix in the bioswale.   

 Construction of the enhanced wetland portion of the project was completed in November 2008. 

Here's how the wetland project looked as viewed looking south from the ranch gate in January 2009.

 Florence Street Low Impact Development (LID) Pedestrian Improvements Project

This project included design and construction of a LID Demonstration project for pedestrian improvements using current LID integrated management practices rather than conventional road widening practices on Florence Street in Templeton. Specific project goals included reducing impervious area, promoting onsite infiltration, passively treating urban runoff and disconnecting historically directly connected impervious areas. The project incorporates bioswales to filter urban stormwater runoff through bioswale vegetation thus decreasing urban pollutants from washing into creeks and preventing downstream erosion. The project also includes pervious pavement and a subsurface stone recharge bed to decrease runoff velocities, runoff volumes, and increase onsite storage and infiltration.

                                                              Project Location

 Project Before and After Photos Showing Plant Palette

LID Incentives

The grant project also included a review of various types of LID incentive programs that could be applied in San Luis Obispo County.  Click here for a brief outline of some of the incentive programs used across the U.S.  

For new development, LID can provide a financial incentive for the developer as well as a market benefit as described in this study published by USEPA in December 2007. EPA Reducing Costs Thru LID  

In addition, development that provides LID landscaping and open space has been shown to increase property values and market appeal.  Adding LID to your project provides an opportunity to add LEED points as well.   

For homeowners, LID rainbarrels, water tanks, and cisterns conserve water and help save money on the water bill as well as protect water quality and help prevent flooding.  LID raingardens and bioswales are beautiful ways to protect water quality and increase property value.  Some municipal stormwater programs have been able to offer rebate programs to help citizens defray the cost of installing rainbarrels and raingardens on their property.  Unfortunately, under current financial conditions, the County's stormwater program is unable to provide rebates.  Rainbarrels, water tanks, and cisterns are raffled off often as prizes at stormwater LID public education and outreach events - so be sure to attend to increase your chances of winning!

See our Events Calender to watch for upcoming Public Education and Outreach Events 

 For more infomation about Low Impact Development, click here for our Post-Construction Stormwater Management for New Development and Redevelopment Webpage. 

 Click here for a link to the Central Coast Water Board's LID Webpage.