It is not easy to implement the LID/GSI decentralized approach to stormwater management in an already developed landscape that is predominantly held in small lots and private hands. The RainScapes program of the Montgomery County, MD Department of Environmental Protection has developed and deployed a cost-effective and flexible set of tools in the toolbox of BMPs used to meet the County MS4 permit goals. Several steps were taken both organizationally and technically, including program revisions, that have resulted in a flourishing voluntary, private property retrofit program in the County based on this cost-share approach. The portfolio of projects types offered synthesize best practices from landscape architecture, horticulture, engineering, and community outreach to provide a solution-oriented suite of site level GSI practices to property owners. RainScapes Rewards incentives are offered to those who will voluntarily install low impact development projects, called RainScapes. Once installed, participants in the program can then apply for a maintenance incentive, the Water Quality Protection Charge Credit, which reduces their charge in exchange for verification of maintenance every three years.

The RainScapes program approach of development and publication of practical and accessible design standards, professional training courses, consumer education, and cash incentives has worked to accelerate this form of on-lot retrofits. In the past decade, with a small staff, the program has overseen the addition of nearly 18 Acres of rain gardens, green roofs, permeable paver retrofits, conservation landscapes, and pavement removal projects which are adding runoff control to the landscape every time it rains. The advantage of decentralized BMPs is that they can be squeezed into smaller spaces and restores some of the processes of pre-development hydrology. But the fiscal promise of LID to be a cheaper than conventional means to manage stormwater and provide co-benefits such as aesthetic enhancement, habitat creation, natural system connectivity and improved local ecosystem health can be difficult to realize. RainScapes projects solve site level stormwater problems, disconnect rooftops and driveways from the stormdrain system while providing a host of co-benefits and providing owners with relief from increased lot to lot drainage in developed landscapes at a cost that the County can afford.

Access the Conference Proceedings Paper on ASCE Library 

It is not easy to implement the LID/GSI decentralized approach to stormwater management in an already developed landscape that is predominantly held in small lots and private hands. The RainScapes program of the Montgomery County, MD Department of Environmental Protection has developed and deployed a cost-effective and flexible set of tools in the toolbox of BMPs used to meet the County MS4 permit goals. Several steps were taken both organizationally and technically, including program revisions, that have resulted in a flourishing voluntary, private property retrofit program in the County based on this cost-share approach. The portfolio of projects types offered synthesize best practices from landscape architecture, horticulture, engineering, and community outreach to provide a solution-oriented suite of site level GSI practices to property owners. RainScapes Rewards incentives are offered to those who will voluntarily install low impact development projects, called RainScapes. Once installed, participants in the program can then apply for a maintenance incentive, the Water Quality Protection Charge Credit, which reduces their charge in exchange for verification of maintenance every three years.

The RainScapes program approach of development and publication of practical and accessible design standards, professional training courses, consumer education, and cash incentives has worked to accelerate this form of on-lot retrofits. In the past decade, with a small staff, the program has overseen the addition of nearly 18 Acres of rain gardens, green roofs, permeable paver retrofits, conservation landscapes, and pavement removal projects which are adding runoff control to the landscape every time it rains. The advantage of decentralized BMPs is that they can be squeezed into smaller spaces and restores some of the processes of pre-development hydrology. But the fiscal promise of LID to be a cheaper than conventional means to manage stormwater and provide co-benefits such as aesthetic enhancement, habitat creation, natural system connectivity and improved local ecosystem health can be difficult to realize. RainScapes projects solve site level stormwater problems, disconnect rooftops and driveways from the stormdrain system while providing a host of co-benefits and providing owners with relief from increased lot to lot drainage in developed landscapes at a cost that the County can afford.

**[Access the Conference Proceedings Paper on ASCE Library](https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784483114.005)** 

RainScapes – Incentives matter and other Lessons learned 10 years of Voluntary retrofits on Private Property

The International Low Impact Development Conference highlights interdisciplinary practice, research, and implementation of Low Impact Development (LID), Green Infrastructure (GI), Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) and Water Sensitive Urban Designs (WSUD). The focus will be on using our past and present understanding of LID to tune management programs, design practice, and operation and maintenance into the future.

[Paper Proceedings](https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784483114)