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Stormwater Management: Non-structural BMPs
Non-structural BMPs focus on preserving open space, protecting natural systems, and incorporating existing landscape features such as wetlands and stream corridors into a site plan to manage stormwater at its source. Some focus on clustering and concentrating development, minimizing disturbed areas, and reducing the size of impervious areas. Those promoted in the PA DEP Stormwater BMP Manual reflect the ten “Principles”of comprehensive stormwater management:
- Managing stormwater as a resource;
- Preserving and utilizing existing natural features and systems;
- Managing stormwater as close to the source as possible;
- Sustaining the hydrologic balance of surface and ground water;
- Disconnecting, decentralizing and distributing sources and discharges;
- Slowing runoff down, and not speeding it up;
- Preventing potential water quality and quantity problems;
- Minimizing problems that cannot be avoided;
- Integrating stormwater management into the initial site design process; and
- Inspecting and maintaining all BMPs.
The Manual identifies several major categories of non-Structural BMPs, and outlines specific BMPs for each of these generalized areas to better define and improve their implementation. This list is intended to be refined and expanded as these types of stormwater management practices become more common throughout Pennsylvania.
A detailed discussion of Non-Structural BMPs can be found in Chapter 5 of the Stormwater BMP Manual.
5.6.1 Minimize Total disturbed area
Without changing the building program, you can reduce site grading, removal of existing vegetation (clearing and grubbing) and total soil disturbance. This eliminates the need for re-establishment of a new maintained landscape for the site and lot-by-lot, by modifying the proposed road system and other relevant infrastructure as well as the building location and elevations to better fit the existing topography.
