The City of Lafayette LUR Ditch
The City of Lafayette owns approximately 15 acres of property on the south side of McCarty Lane with the entry located between 3685 and 3605 McCarty Lane. Along the perimeter of the property is a drainage ditch, lined with a concrete bottom, that drains property to the north, including CAT Park. Many native species of plants, trees, insects and other wildlife are present. However, many invasive species are present as well. The ditch and adjoining property are managed to maintain water flow and weed control (mowing).
According to the US EPA, green infrastructure is a cost-effective, resilient approach to managing wet weather impacts that provides many community benefits. While single-purpose gray stormwater infrastructure (conventional piped drainage and water treatment systems) is designed to move urban stormwater away from the built environment, green infrastructure reduces and treats stormwater at its source while delivering environmental, social, and economic benefits. A key element to green infrastructure is multiuse, multipurpose functionality. The objective of this project is to work with Lafayette Renew to document how green infrastructure and Best Management Practices (BMPs) could provide multiple beneficial contributions to the Lafayette Community at this particular property.