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HomeMy Public PortalAboutRainscaping - Development Review - Instructions Revision 4/2022 Page 1 of 4 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 Revision 4/2022 Page 2 of 4 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. Revision 4/2022 Page 3 of 4 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. Revision 4/2022 Page 4 of 4 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