Low Impact Development Manual for Michigan - OSEH - University ...

Description and Function
Protecting sensitive areas challenges the site planner
to inventory and then, to the greatest extent possible,
avoid resource sensitive areas at a site, including riparian
buffers, wetlands, hydric soils, floodplains, steep
slopes, woodlands, valuable habitat zones, and other
sensitive resource areas. Development, directed away
from sensitive areas, can be held constant, if BMPs
such as cluster development are also applied.
A major objective of LID is to accommodate development
with fewer impacts to the site. If development
avoids encroachment upon, disturbance of, and impact to
those natural resources which are especially sensitive to
land development impacts and/or have special functional
value, then low impact development can be achieved.
Table 6.1
Data Sources for Environmentally Sensitive Areas
Resource Agency Responsible for Data Development/Upkeep
Lakes and Streams Michigan Center for Geographic Information, municipal and county agencies
Designated Trout Lakes/Streams and
Natural Rivers
Michigan Center for Geographic Information Michigan Geographic Data Library
Wetlands Indicators SEMCOG, Michigan Center for Geographic Information
Flood Prone Areas SEMCOG, FEMA, municipal and county agencies
Wellhead Protection Areas Michigan State University and Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Woodlands SEMCOG, Michigan Center for Geographic Information
Parks and Recreation Areas SEMCOG, Ducks Unlimited, municipal and county agencies
Historic Sites Michigan Center for Geographic Information, municipal and county agencies
Heritage Routes and Natural Beauty Roads
Historic Bridges Michigan Department of Transportation
Michigan Department of Transportation and County Road Commissions, municipal and
county agencies
Nonmotorized Facilities Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan
Sand Dunes Michigan Center for Geographic Information
Source: SEMCOG
The first step in protecting sensitive areas is for the site
planner to define, inventory, and map which resources
are especially sensitive and/or have special value at a
site proposed for development. Although many sensitive
areas are common to all municipalities across Michigan,
they can vary by region. The most detailed inventories
are often compiled at the municipal or county level.
For those areas without municipal or county-level data,
state-level data can be used. (Table 6.1 is a partial list of
potential sensitive area resources.)
LID Manual for Michigan – Chapter 6 Page 99