Fort Smith Rules for Stormwater Management Resource Conservation

This rule encourages the preservation of existing features that add value to development or to the local government as a whole, such as trees, historic spots, viewsheds, natural areas, riparian corridors, hillsides, and similar irreplaceable assets, to be preserved in the design of a subdivision or development. This section implements the following policies: Minimize impermeable surfaces of all developments to help retain and drain water on-site. All development needs to address stormwater event loading on-site and downstream. Incorporate the protection or replacement of wetland or vegetation habitats in development guidelines. Protect riparian corridors through erosion control and drainage management. In many cases, this means unchanneling concrete stream beds, replanting wetlands for water absorption, and allowing natural drainage. These stream valley and drainage areas can be park and pedestrian friendly trail systems, or primary habitat and aesthetic community amenities.