The Mid-South Watershed Training Program Presents:
 
"Low Impact Development Workshop"
 
Courtyard by Marriot, River Market District, Little Rock, Arkansas
 September 4th & 5th, 2008
 
Communities across the nation are faced with the rapid conversion of forests
and agricultural lands to urban areas resulting in a loss of wildlife
habitat and the deterioration of water quality. Low Impact Development (LID)
is a comprehensive array of site planning, design and pollution prevention
strategies that create a more economically sustainable and ecologically
functional urban landscape. The LID approach to site development will result
in urban landscapes that maintain and restore the ecological integrity of
receiving waters while reducing construction, maintenance and inspection
costs.  This workshop offers an in-depth introduction to the economic
benefits, ecological goals, planning techniques, design principles,
analytical methodologies, implementation strategies, and monitoring results
of LID technology for urban stormwater management. Workshop attendees will
gain a technical understanding of how to apply integrative management to
meet local watershed protection goals and regulatory requirements.  Case
studies and innovative city programs that are implementing LID practices and
improving community awareness and action will be explored.
 
Key LID topics that will be covered include:
Beyond Rain Gardens: LID Principles, Practices, and Techniques
Maintenance and Cost Issues
Case Studies: New Development, Redevelopment, and Urban Retrofit
Hydrology & Hydraulics: Analytical Principles, Modeling, and Monitoring
Policy Implications
 
Who should attend this training:  This new technology involves multiple
disciplines and has far reaching impacts in urban stormwater management,
land use planning, water resources protection, site planning/design, best
management practices, building requirements, and construction & maintenance
of stormwater infrastructure. Local, state & federal government
administrators and regulators; developers, builders, & contractors; land
use/development planners, civil/environmental engineers, & landscape
architects; environmental professionals/consultants; environmentalists and
interested citizens will benefit from this training.
 
Training approach, instructor, and presenters:  The workshop will be taught
through interactive lectures, handouts and case studies.  Attendees will
also work through a design exercise during the course.   Mr. Larry S.
Coffman is the main instructor for the training.  Mr. Coffman has over 30
years of experience in urban stormwater management and is considered the
nation's foremost expert on LID technologies and programs.  Mr. Coffman was
a founder of the LID Center in Maryland; pioneer of bioretention/rain
gardens; and the principle author of the nationally acclaimed Prince
George's County, Maryland's LID planning and design manuals.  Other experts,
both local and national, will share their experiences, while discussing the
challenges they face in implementing LID practices in their communities.
 
Host and sponsors:  The Mid-South Watershed
<http://www.watershedconservation.org/prog.html>  Training Program is a US
Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) funded regional program developed
by the Watershed Conservation Resource Center (WCRC) to provide education
and technical tools needed for environmental professionals, watershed
coordinators, conservation districts, and other watershed stakeholders to
understand and apply the watershed approach as a means to conserve, restore,
and protect our natural resources.  Through this program, the WCRC has
partnered with Audubon Arkansas, Central Arkansas Water, Pulaski County, and
the City of Little Rock to design and organize the LID Workshop.  Other
entities contributing resources to the LID workshop are: US EPA; University
of Arkansas; Kansas City, MO; Geosyntec; and Larson, Burns, & Smith, Inc.
 
Registration and Agenda:  To register, please follow the directions on the
attached registration form.  If you have questions, please contact Lori Linn
at (479) 444-1916 or at llinn@watershedconservation.org.  The course tuition
is $225 and includes course materials, two continental breakfasts, two
lunches, break refreshments, and parking at the designated city parking
garage behind the Marriot at E. 2nd Street and Sherman Street.  An agenda
showing the course schedule and content is attached.  For travel information
or more information on the WCRC, please visit www.watershedconservation.org
<http://www.watershedconservation.org/> .
 
Sandi Formica, Executive Director
Watershed Conservation Resource Center
380 W. Rock Street
Fayetteville, AR  72701
Phone:  (501) 352-5252
Fax:      (928) 396-2546
 <mailto:formica@watershedconservation.org>
formica@watershedconservation.org