Which is the design approach to minimize environmental impact during development?

• A. Erosion and Sediment Control
• B. Total Maximum Daily Load
• C. Polychlorinated Biphenyl
• D. Environmental Site Design

Answer: (D)

Environmental Site Design focuses on designing the site to manage stormwater on-site, reducing environmental impacts from development by integrating land planning with on-site treatment and drainage features. This approach aims to mimic natural hydrology, lower impervious surfaces, and treat runoff where it’s produced, using strategies like preserving trees and soils, disconnecting downspouts, installing bioswales and rain gardens, and using permeable surfaces where appropriate. By prioritizing these design choices from the outset, the development minimizes runoff volume and pollutant loads, helping protect water quality and reduce erosion and sediment transport. Erosion and sediment control is important during construction but targets short-term sediment release rather than the overall design approach to minimize long-term impact. A Total Max Daily Load is a regulatory limit for pollutants in a water body, not a design method, and a chemical like polychlorinated biphenyl is unrelated to site design strategies.