Brush Creek Mid-Shed Project

Cost Share Program

The primary objective of the Brush Creek Mid-Shed project is to minimize the impacts to Brush Creek from the rapid land development within the area. The project does not have the authority or desire to impede development, but rather to assist landowners, developers, and local government with new technologies that can help minimize the damage to the stream’s natural resources.

The Project includes a cost-share incentive program that encourages best management practices (BMPs). Through this aspect of the project, a low-impact development (LID) concept will be used to reduce pollution and improve conventional development practices. Additionally, using stormwater management technologies that are ‘low-impact’ will aid in the prevention of area flooding, damage to infrastructure due to erosion, and loss of the stream’s natural riparian corridor.  See our Cost Share Program Brochure

Low Impact Development Evaluation System

The Low Impact Development Evaluation System (LIDES) is a tool the Project will use to determine which developments in the area demonstrate adequate stream protection strategies and provide minimal environmental impacts to Brush Creek. To be eligible for cost-share funds, developments must be located within the Mid-Shed project area of the Brush Creek Watershed (See Map).  Developers, builders, home and/or property owners, and local governments that demonstrate low impact BMPs for protection of Brush Creek are all eligible to submit a development project for evaluation.

Note: Development projects will be reviewed and evaluated on a first come, first served basis. Total funding availability will be determined annually, and subject to availability of Project funds. Interested parties should contact the Project Coordinator before completing the evaluation criteria to determine funding availability.

The Brush Creek Mid-Shed Project would like to acknowledge that these evaluation criteria have been based in part upon The Conservation Fund’s Conservation Development Evaluations System and the Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative Network’s Conservation Development Recognition Program.  (See Resources).

Evaluation Criteria:

The evaluation criteria are designed for rating new residential or commercial low-impact and/or conservation developments. The system recognizes that each development has site-specific limitations that are taken into consideration during the planning and design phase. Furthermore, each criterion to be evaluated may not apply to every development. The criteria are feature-oriented; points are awarded or deducted for satisfying a specified criterion. Ideally, each criterion will be related to an accepted industry standard. The scoring system is based on the premise that developments should meet certain protective measures. Positive points will be awarded to developments that employ practices that go beyond basic measures to minimize impacts on water quality and natural resources. Negative points will be assessed for aspects of developments that do not meet basic protection measures. Examples of negative practices include encroachments into wetlands or 100-year floodplains with fill or structures. A total of 18 points are available under the Evaluation Criteria, with four categories of recognition.

Platinum LID Development – 14-18 Points
Gold LID Development – 9-13 Points
Silver LID Development – 5 – 8 Points
Bronze LID Development – 1 - 4 Points

The Project has identified three critical areas that need to be considered in a development that protects the environment and enhances the overall quality of life. Project members will rate each development based on its ability to achieve LID principles.

The areas to be evaluated are as follows:

• Site Design/Innovation and Construction
• Storm Water Management
• Protection of Natural Resources

Note: The criteria do not address all of the issues that are important to achieving sustainable development. Although the Project supports infill development and the redevelopment of brownfield sites, these criteria have not been designed to achieve these broader goals.

Download a copy of LIDES for the full scoring criteria!

Brush Creek Mid-Shed Project Pages: