What is a key characteristic of Low Impact Development (LID) practices?

The choice that highlights a key characteristic of Low Impact Development (LID) practices is that they aim to mimic natural hydrology for stormwater management. This approach involves designing developments that manage stormwater in a way that closely resembles how it would be managed in a natural environment. By doing so, LID practices promote natural infiltration, evaporation, and transpiration processes, which help to minimize runoff and improve water quality. Such strategies can include using permeable paving, rain gardens, green roofs, and bioretention systems, all of which work to manage water on-site and reduce the impact on the surrounding ecosystem.

In contrast, options that suggest maximizing impervious surfaces or relying solely on traditional drainage techniques are fundamentally at odds with the principles of LID, which emphasize the importance of maintaining pre-development hydrology. Similarly, prioritizing urban growth at the expense of environmental concerns contradicts the LID objective of sustainable development that balances human needs with ecological integrity. By fostering a sustainable approach to stormwater management, LID not only helps protect water resources but also contributes to broader environmental benefits.