Daphne
Daphne Low Impact Development Program
PURPOSE
The purpose of this project is to develop a program which will initiate and encourage the use of low impact development practices, green infrastructure (LID/GI) and incentives for the City of Daphne. These practices will be used to supplement the City Subdivision Regulations and to provide alternatives to traditional stormwater management practices.
The City of Daphne has long been concerned about stormwater management, especially in regards to the impaired drainage basins of D'Olive Creek, the Unnamed Tributary of D'Olive Creek, Yancey Branch, and Joe's Branch. In 2010 the City collaborated with other local municipalities and local government agencies in developing a Watershed Management Plan for D'Olive Watershed. Several critical coastal issues were identified in the Plan: one was the need to "reduce outgoing sediment loads into D'Olive Bay and Mobile Bay estuary." Also identified in the Plan was a way to accomplish that goal- "to develop smart growth concepts for new development and re-developments using LID/Gi techniques." We anticipate that program implementation will reduce outgoing sediment loads, improve water quality, reduce runoff volume, and mitigate future impacts of development in the watershed. Lasting and sustainable benefits of this project will be a restored coastal habitat and significantly reduced pollutant loading of the bay. An additional benefit will be the availability of a model ordinance for low impact development and green infrastructure regulations and incentives that could be used by other municipalities within Mobile Bay and Baldwin County.