Define "best management practices" (BMPs) in stormwater management.

Best management practices (BMPs) in stormwater management refer specifically to strategies and techniques that are designed to minimize and manage the quantity and quality of stormwater runoff. These practices can take various forms, including structural measures such as retention ponds, vegetated swales, and green roofs, as well as non-structural strategies like public education and policy changes. The key objective of BMPs is to reduce the impact of stormwater on the environment, manage flooding risks, and prevent pollution from entering waterways.

In stormwater management, the focus is on controlling the flow of water and improving water quality to protect aquatic ecosystems and human health. Therefore, the definition aligns closely with the concept of structures and methods specifically aimed at mitigating stormwater runoff. The other choices do not encapsulate the purpose and function of BMPs as they relate broadly to enhancing infrastructure or developing land, which do not inherently involve the management of stormwater runoff.