HomeMy Public PortalAboutRainscaping - Development Review - Instructions_0
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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 identify and implement projects and
programs that will significantly reduce the number and volume of CSOs into the Mississippi
River and River Des Peres, 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 in order 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 within the Mississippi River and River Des Peres CSO regions can use this link to
confirm a project is within the program area boundary and to determine the Cityshed and CSO
region for the project location:
http://stlmsd.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=1dc144bdb9b2484b82cfe7
3cc8a3c8d1
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.
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Eligible Project Elements
The following list shows potential 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
• Amended soils
• Bioretention/Rain gardens, Planter
boxes
• Rainwater harvesting for reuse
• Green roofs
• Other techniques as approved by MSD
Eligible Recipients
The following entities are eligible for financial reimbursement:
• 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 related to rainscaping features that may be eligible for reimbursement by MSD include
the following:
• Engineering design
• Soils assessment and/or restoration
• Legal costs associated with deed restrictions and/or easements
• Property acquisition
• Demolition
• Construction
• Public participation and educational activities
Costs for maintenance of rainscaping features are not eligible for reimbursement. 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
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(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 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 qualify 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://www.stlmsd.com/sites/default/files/engineering/Final%20Version%20including%20
cover%201Feb2018%20Rules%20Regs_0.pdf
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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.
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 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.
Application and Submittal Process
Applications will be accepted on an on-going basis at: http://www.stlpermitting.com/.
Application and required grant documents should be submitted to development review along
with engineering improvement plans and stormwater reports 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 Kaleena Menke of MSD’s
Program Planning Section.
Kaleena Menke, PE
Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District
2350 Market St.
St. Louis, MO 63103
314.768.6374
kmenke@stlmsd.com