Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) and Low-Impact Development (LID) are approaches to stormwater management that mimic natural processes to improve water quality and mitigate environmental impacts, among other benefits. Direct benefits of GSI/LID include peak flow attenuation, reducing erosion, and improving water quality. The Green Stormwater Infrastructure / Low Impact Development Standards identify GSI/LID best management practices (BMPs) that are arid-appropriate and support Bernalillo County’s Stormwater Quality Ordinance.

In addition to stormwater management and pollution reduction, GSI/LID provides benefits that positively affect our communities’ sustainability and overall quality of life. Benefits include reducing urban heat island effects, increasing tree canopy and improving air quality, creating urban wildlife habitat, water conservation, traffic calming, improving physical and mental health outcomes, addressing environmental justice issues, and enhancing community aesthetics.

The Green Stormwater Infrastructure / Low Impact Development Standards describe regulatory requirements and provides selected GSI/LID technical guidance and drawings, as well as guidance for GSI treatment trains, GSI/LID selection criteria and best practices for design and construction, maintenance considerations, use of mulch, and plant selection guidance for native and drought-tolerant plants. The fundamental goals of GSI/LID is to reduce adverse impact to watersheds and reduce the amount of stormwater runoff and pollution reaching surface waters.