HomeMy Public PortalAboutAnnual Call Instructions
METROPOLITAN ST. LOUIS SEWER DISTRICT | 2350 MARKET STREET | ST. LOUIS, MO 63103-2555
(314) 768-6260 | WWW.MSDPROJECTCLEAR.ORG
MSD Project Clear
Rainscaping Large Grants Program:
Annual Call for Applications
Introduction and Background Information
MSD’s Long Term Control Plan (LTCP) outlines a Rainscaping Program, also known as Green
Stormwater Infrastructure, as part of the selected, long-term Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) controls.
The overall goal of this rainscaping program is to identify and implement projects and programs that will
significantly reduce the number and volume of CSOs into the Mississippi River and provide additional
environmental benefit. Rainscaping projects will redirect stormwater from reaching the combined sewer
system by capturing and diverting it to locations where it is detained, infiltrated into the ground,
evaporated, taken up by plants, or reused.
MSD Project Clear, the initiative to plan, design, and build system-wide improvements to address water
quality and alleviate many wastewater concerns in the St. Louis region, includes $120 million in
rainscaping investments. Specifically, MSD is making this investment within the Mississippi River CSO
regions to reduce CSO runoff volume to the Mississippi River. MSD has developed a full
implementation plan outlining how MSD will implement rainscaping with the focus of reducing CSO
discharge volume to the Mississippi River. MSD finds that establishing partnerships and providing
reimbursement for rainscaping is an effective way to meet CSO volume reduction goals.
MSD will continue to build partnerships with municipalities, schools, community development
organizations, and private developers in order to identify joint opportunities to incorporate rainscaping
into ongoing programs and future redevelopment projects.
Potential Eligible Project Elements
The following list shows eligible project elements. Other elements related to the rainscaping program
may be eligible if they are in accordance with the program objectives.
• Porous pavement
• Reinforced turf
• Amended soils
• Planter boxes
• Bioretention/Rain gardens
• Impervious area sheet flow to buffer
• Rooftop disconnection to rain barrel
• Rooftop disconnection to cistern:
irrigation reuse
• Rooftop disconnection (splash to grade)
• Green roofs
• Blue roofs
• Green streets
• Curb extensions/Street bump-outs
• Educational signage for rainscaping
• Other techniques as approved by MSD
Eligible Recipients
The following entities are eligible for financial partnering:
• Municipalities and local government agencies
• Schools
• Non-profit organizations
• Community development organizations
• Business owners
• Private developers
Funding Considerations
This is a reimbursement program. Grantees must have adequate funding available to cover all aspects
of their rainscaping project up front. MSD Construction Approval of the rainscaping feature, including
stabilization of the tributary area upstream of the rainscaping feature, is required prior to
reimbursement. MSD plans to spend approximately $5 million per year on the rainscaping program.
Allocations will be based on a priority ranking system. Projects that provide a funding match will receive
a higher priority ranking. However, providing a match is not required.
Costs that may be eligible for reimbursement by MSD include the following: civil engineering design,
landscape architecture, soils assessment and/or restoration, legal costs associated with deed
restrictions and/or easements, demolition, construction of rainscaping features and public participation
and education activities. Costs for maintenance of rainscaping features are not eligible. Projects that
are completed or have already started construction are not eligible.
Required Activities
Preference shall be given to projects that can manage at least 1.14 inches of stormwater rainfall from
the contributing drainage area. A reduction of runoff volume must be demonstrated and supported with
calculations. Applicants should reference the Maximum Extent Practicable (MEP) spreadsheet and
calculation tool available at the MSD website;
https://msdprojectclear.org/what-we-do/stormwater-management/bmp-toolbox/calculation-and-report-preparation-tools/
Upon approval, all projects chosen for financial assistance shall be submitted for review per the MSD’s
development review process. The development review process involves plans to be signed, sealed,
and submitted by a professional engineer.
For all work that is contracted and/or subcontracted, the Grantee shall ensure that Prevailing Rates of
Pay are paid to all skilled and unskilled labor employees utilized in accordance with Chapter 290,
Sections 290.210 through and including 290.340, Revised Statutes of Missouri. The Grantee shall
provide an affidavit of compliance prior to final reimbursement. Failure to comply could result in non-
payment or return of prior payments to MSD for work found to be in non-compliance.
Evaluation Criteria and Process
General
Evaluators from MSD will score projects based on the application information submitted by the
applicants. Project ranking will be primarily based on their potential for anticipated reduction of CSO
overflow volume.
Use the following link to determine if the project is within the eligible grant area:
http://stlmsd.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=1dc144bdb9b2484b82cfe73cc8a3c8d1
Only projects within the Mississippi CSO Region (light green area) are eligible for the Annual Call
Grant. Eligible projects must be located upstream of a CSO interceptor. Wherever opportunities exist
for MSD to make informed choices between different properties available for stormwater retrofitting with
rainscaping, MSD will prioritize these projects based on their expected CSO reductions from previous
hydrologic modeling.
Project Specific
Benefit points will be awarded for each 100 cubic feet of runoff volume reduced and each 100 square
feet of impervious area removed or redirected to a BMP. Projects proposed by municipalities and local
governmental agencies will receive more benefit points than non-profit entity projects, which will receive
more benefit points than private entity projects. Additional benefit points may be awarded for proposed
activities such as:
• public education
• information
• communication
• innovative rainscaping technologies
• stormwater monitoring and analysis
program
• location of CSO
• project visibility
• feasibility of future expansion
• maintenance capability
• long term sustainability
• environmental justice considerations
The total benefit points will be divided by MSD’s cost (in thousands of dollars) to calculate the priority
ranking. This will yield the most benefit points per MSD dollar spent.
Award of Funds
MSD will award funds through a Rainscaping Grant Program Agreement executed by MSD and the
Grantee. The Agreement will describe the project, specify the funding amount and outline additional
terms and conditions, and will serve as the legal commitment of both parties as to the scope and quality
of work and the amount of funds committed. A BMP Expense Form, listing the amount of
reimbursement for each BMP, will be attached to the Agreement. The BMP Expense Form must be
completed prior to execution of the Agreement.
After receipt of final plan approval, there are additional steps required to secure final authorization of
the project and its funding by MSD. The process typically takes two to three months. An ordinance
authorizing the District to sign the Program Agreement and to fund the project will be presented for
introduction to the Board of Trustees at its monthly meeting. The Ordinance is then presented to the
Board for approval at the following meeting. Assuming approval by the Board, the District and the
Grantee may then execute the Program Agreement fourteen days after approval by the Board.
Disbursement of Funds
Funds will be disbursed on a cost-incurred basis and supported with original receipts verifying costs.
MSD construction approval of the rainscaping elements, including stabilization of the tributary area
upstream of the rainscaping elements, is required prior to reimbursement.
Application and Submittal Process
FY 2024 Applications
• The application period is from September 1, 2023 to October 27, 2023
• Applications are due to MSD by October 27, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.
• MSD will notify the applicants of their decision no later than March 1, 2024
• Construction must begin prior to March 1, 2026.
Please direct all questions and submittals for this grant opportunity to Jenna Jarvis of MSD’s Program
Planning Section. Interested applicants are encouraged to discuss possible proposals with MSD as
soon as possible to facilitate good proposals and efficient reviews.
Jenna Jarvis, PE
Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District
2350 Market Street
St. Louis, MO 63103
314.335.2084
jjarvis@stlmsd.com