Air Force sheild Sustainability Toolkit
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Site Planning

 

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Site Planning section image
  Site Planning :: Site Selection :: Storm Water
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Storm Water
Storm drainage is a critical factor for site selection. Development and construction can lead to uncontrolled stormwater runoff, degraded water and soil quality, destruction of habitat, and depletion of water, soil, and valuable vegetated areas.

Select selection with respect to storm drainage should show preference to a site with the following characteristics:

  • Ability to tolerate the stormwater conditions of the proposed development using natural topography of the sites’ low point to design system based on gravity.
  • Ability to tolerate the increased stormwater flow caused by the impervious surfaces of the building(s) and its infrastructure.
  • Damage to existing soil, water, and flora/fauna can be minimized, thereby lowering construction costs.
  • Existing natural features available for capturing water for re-use, and abundant stands of native plants adapted to harsh conditions such as extreme heat or cold and low water.
As a strict rule do not select a site for development where:
  • The elevation is lower than 5 feet above the elevation of the 100-year flood and land within 50 ft of these areas which functions as a buffer zone.
  • Within 100ft. of wetlands as defined by the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
  • Within 50ft. of a water body (lakes, seas, rivers, etc.)
Avoid selecting sites whose natural features and functions are particularly valuable to the larger community. Also avoid development on sites where soil, water, and flora/fauna indicators are in a fragile condition because of surrounding development or the natural state of the site.

Determination of soil type, soil structure, and limitations of soil through a detailed geotechnical analysis of the soil will support site selection efforts. The pre-development discharge rate will need to be calculated as a complex equation that results in a discharge rate and quantity for one and two year, 24 hour storms. This will ultimately be a critical piece of a stormwater management plan to garner LEED points for the future development.