Why is LID Important?

Towns and cities in Massachusetts are required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to keep their stormwater clean and properly managed. An outline of these requirements is defined in the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) General Permit which affects more than 200 cities and towns in Massachusetts.

Low-impact development and green infrastructure help communities manage stormwater where it falls, reducing runoff, flooding, and pollution while supporting healthier waterways. LID is also an important tool for municipalities working to meet the requirements of the Massachusetts MS4 permit.

In 2023, Massachusetts municipalities were required to consider how to reduce impervious surfaces on municipal properties through modifications or retrofits that will work to reduce stormwater runoff and to identify specific sites where LID may be utilized, many of those prospective projects can  be found in the viewer.

The LID Viewer can help municipalities identify examples of green infrastructure, document local projects, and explore approaches that can support stormwater management and MS4 requirements.