HomeMy Public PortalAbout07282016 Application Instructions and Program Reqs FINAL REV2_110116 Mark KoesterRevision 8/2016
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Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District
Project Clear - Rainscaping Program
Rainscaping Large Scale Grants Program: Development Review
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 identif y and implement projects and programs that will
significantl y 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 b y capturing and diverting it to locations where it is detained, infiltrated into the ground,
evaporated, taken up b y plants, or reused.
MSD Project Clear, the initiative to plan, design, and build system-wide improvements to address water
qualit y and alleviate many wastewater concerns in the St. Louis region, includes $100 million in
rainscaping investments. Specificall y, 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. Having alread y invested over $3 million in rainscaping
during MSD’s Rainscaping Pilot Program, MSD finds that establishing partnerships and providing
reimbursement for rainscaping is an effective wa y 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 the y are in accordance with the program objective, as determined on a case-b y-case
basis.
Impervious area reduction
Permeable pavement
Reinforced turf
Amended soils
Planter boxes
Bioretention/Rain gardens
Impervious area sheet flow to buffer
Rooftop disconnection to rain barrel
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Rooftop disconnection to cistern: irrigation reuse
Rooftop disconnection (splash to grade)
Green roofs
Blue roofs
Green streets
Curb extensions/Street bumpouts
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 development project. MSD construction approval of the rainscaping feature, including stabilization
of the tributar y 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, propert y acquisition,
demolition, construction of rainscaping feature, and public participation activities. Costs for
maintenance of rainscapi ng features are not eligible. Maintenance of rainscaping features is the
responsibilit y of the propert y 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 www.stlmsd.com/engineering/planreview/bmptoolbox/calctools.
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.
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 pa yments 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 propert y owner the
agreed amount. Documentation of actual reasonable expenditures must be submitted for reimbursement
of qualified expenses.
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Eligible Project Area
The Rainscaping Large Scale Grants reimburse for rainscaping features on projects within the
Rainscaping Program Area. To determine if the project is within the eligible project area, applicants
can use the link below. Applicants can also use the link to determine the Cityshed and CSO region for
the project location.
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.
Application Review
Eligible applicants can submit applications for reimbursement of eligible rainscaping features
incorporated on development projects within the Mississippi River 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 voluntaril y 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.
Reimbursement rates are subject to review b y 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.
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, specif y 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.
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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 ma y then execute the Program
Agreement fourteen da ys after approval b y 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 timel y processing of payment requests.
Application and Submittal Process
Applications will be accepted on an on-going basis. 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 opportunit y please contact Mark Koester of MSD’s Program
Planning Section.
Mark A. Koester, P.E. Metropolitan
St. Louis Sewer District
2350 Market Street St.
Louis, MO 63103
(314) 768-6327
makoes@stlmsd.com