Online Land Use Decision Making Tool

As local land use decisionmakers, municipal and county leaders regularlymeasure the benefits and costs of development proposals. In addition tofactors such as the extension of existing infrastructure and thedelivery of government services, local officials are beginning toconsider the impact that land use changes will have on a community'swater quality. The Long-Term Hydrologic Impact Assessment (L-THIA) modelwas developed as an accessible online tool to assess the water qualityimpacts of land use change. Based on community-specific climate data,L-THIA estimates changes in recharge, runoff, and nonpoint sourcepollution resulting from past or proposed development. L-THIA's resultscan be used to generate community awareness of potential long-termproblems and to support planning aimed at minimizing disturbance ofcritical areas.

Thanks to Campaign for Sensible Growth