HomeMy Public PortalAboutRainscaping - Development Review - Instructions
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Application Instructions & Program Requirements
Introduction and Background Information
MSD’s Long Term Control Plan (LTCP) outlines a Rainscaping Program, sometimes called Green
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 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 and
River Des Peres CSO regions to reduce CSO runoff volume to the Mississippi River and River Des
Peres. 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 to identify joint opportunities to incorporate rainscaping into
ongoing programs and future redevelopment projects.
Eligible Project Area
The Rainscaping Large Scale Grants reimburse for rainscaping features on projects within the
Rainscaping Program Area. Applicants can use the following link to determine if a project is
potentially within the Mississippi River and River Des Peres CSO regions boundary and to determine
the Cityshed and CSO region for the project location. Final eligibility of specific properties must be
verified by the District for CSO reductions based on drainage and sewer configuration in the
area.
http://stlmsd.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=1dc144bdb9b2484b82cfe73cc8a3c8d1
Type in the project address in the Find Address bar and click on the magnifying glass to find it. Once the
address has been found, left clicking on it will return which CSO region and City watershed the address
is located.
Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District
Project Clear - Rainscaping Program
Rainscaping Large Scale Grants Program:
Development Review
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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 objective, as determined on a case-by-case
basis.
Impervious area reduction
Permeable pavement
Reinforced turf
Amended soils
Planter boxes
Bioretention/Rain gardens
Green roofs
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 development project. MSD construction approval of the rainscaping feature, including stabilization
of the tributary area upstream of the rainscaping feature, is required prior to reimbursement. Costs that
may be eligible for reimbursement by MSD include the following: engineering, soils assessment and/or
restoration, legal costs associated with deed restrictions and/or easements, property acquisition,
demolition, construction of rainscaping feature, and public participation activities. Costs for
maintenance of rainscaping features are not eligible. Maintenance of rainscaping features is the
responsibility of the property owner. Projects that are completed or have already started construction are
not eligible.
Required Activities
A reduction of runoff volume and total drainage area managed 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/
The cost categories listed in the above paragraph plus maintenance cost for rainscaping features (during
the first five years of operation) must be tracked and reported.
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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.
Eligible projects must be located within the Rainscaping Program Area and follow all requirements
outlined during MSD’s development review process. After the plans are approved by MSD and a
Program Agreement is in place, the property owner builds the rainscaping feature based on criteria set
by MSD. After inspection and approval of the practice, MSD will reimburse the property owner the
agreed amount. Documentation of actual reasonable expenditures must be submitted for reimbursement
of qualified expenses.
Application Review
Eligible applicants can submit applications for reimbursement of eligible rainscaping features
incorporated on development projects within the Mississippi River and River Des Peres CSO regions.
To streamline the process, information required for the application submission and review will be part
of the current development review process.
As projects are submitted to development review, MSD will communicate to the developer and
project owner the intent of the Rainscaping Grant Program and offer to reimburse them for the
rainscaping features of their project. A completed application form and supporting documents will be
required.
This is a non-competitive grant program. Projects with eligible rainscaping features that meet program
requirements will be qualified for rainscaping reimbursement. MSD will reimburse for rainscaping
features that are voluntarily incorporated on development projects and for rainscaping features
incorporated to meet MSD’s stormwater management requirements. MSD must approve the project
before funds can be committed and documentation of actual expenditures must be submitted for
reimbursement of qualified expenses.
Reimbursable Amount
The current maximum reimbursement rate for the Rainscaping Large Scale Grants – Development
Review applications is $180,000/acre of total drainage area managed. The reimbursement rate is
applicable to rainscaping features designed per MSD's standard sizing for stormwater BMPs. MSD's
standard sizing requirements are outlined in Chapter 4.080 of MSD's Rules and Regulations and
Engineering Design Requirements for Sanitary Sewer and Stormwater Drainage Facilities:
https://msdprojectclear.org/doing-business/development-review/rules-regulations-design-requirements/
Reimbursement rates are subject to review by MSD throughout the Rainscaping Program term. For all
projects, the reimbursable amount will not exceed the final cost estimate and is subject to final invoices
received. All costs submitted will be evaluated based on industry standards and documentation of actual
expenditures is required for reimbursement.
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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, in addition to a revised Project Schedule.
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 a minimum of 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 Board’s next meeting the following month. After this two-step
process, 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 and Progress
Funds will be disbursed based on actual costs incurred and supported with original receipts verifying
costs. MSD’s construction approval of the rainscaping feature, including stabilization of the tributary
area upstream of the rainscaping feature, is required prior to reimbursement. Progress reports are due
with each payment request. Progress reports are required for timely processing of payment requests.
Application and Submittal Process
Applications will be accepted on an on-going basis at https://aca-prod.accela.com/stlmsd. Application
and required documents should be submitted to development review along with documents required for
the development review process. MSD will communicate with the applicant throughout the development
review process to ensure all documents are submitted prior to final plan approval. Construction must
begin within 1 year of the final plan approval date.
Questions
For questions regarding this grant opportunity please contact Jenna Jarvis of MSD’s Program Planning
Section.
Jenna Jarvis, P.E.
Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District
2350 Market Street
St. Louis, MO 63103
(314) 335-2084
jjarvis@stlmsd.com