Large rainscaping projects within the Program Area may be eligible for complete reimbursement.
Large rainscaping projects within the Program Area may be eligible for complete reimbursement.
The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) is now accepting applications for the MSD Project Clear 2018-2019 Rainscaping Large Scale Grants Program – Annual Call For Applications. Between August 1, 2018 and October 31, 2018, landowners within the designated Program Area can apply for grant funding for rainscaping projects. The Annual Call for Applications is a competitive option for projects to receive reimbursement of costs for eligible rainscaping components, and is only available during a limited window each year. There is not a set maximum reimbursement rate for this option; however, projects are reviewed for cost effectiveness.
MSD seeks to continue to build partnerships with municipalities, local government agencies, schools, community development organizations, and private developers on installing rainscaping features, which helps the environment by reducing the amount of stormwater entering the sewer system.
“Rainscaping grant programs are a key component of MSD Project Clear,” said Brian Hoelscher, Executive Director & CEO of MSD. “We love the opportunity to partner with our community, and working together achieves greater sewer system benefits than MSD could accomplish alone.”
Using simple techniques, rainscaping collects and filters rainwater where it falls- the way nature intended. By lowering the amount of stomwater runoff entering the sewer system, rainscaping within the Program Area specifically helps to alleviate basement backups and sewer overflows, which can sometimes occur during periods of heavy rain. It also addresses water quality in the Mississippi River when overflows do occur. Additionally, rainscaping has the added benefit of supporting biodiversity by creating a habitat for a wide variety of garden life.
Interested applicants should visit www.ProjectClearSTL.org/rainscaping to learn more about MSD Project Clear’s grant opportunities, the benefits of rainscaping, and check an interactive map to ensure your property is located within the Program Area.
MSD Project Clear is investing $100 million towards rainscaping efforts as part of an agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency and Missouri Coalition for the Environment to improve water quality in our community. Since the Rainscaping Large Grants Program began in 2012, MSD Project Clear has committed $30.3 million to 70 projects. This total includes the last (2017-2018) Annual Call for Applications round, in which $2.7 million was committed to 6 projects.
The Annual Call for Applications is not the only opportunity to obtain a Rainscaping Large Scale Grant. Projects within the Program Area may be eligible through Rainscaping Large Scale Grants – Development Review. This is a year-round, non-competitive opportunity that has a current maximum reimbursement rate of $180,000/acre of total drainage area managed. Details can be found at www.ProjectClearSTL.org/rainscaping
In addition, MSD Project Clear also offers the Rainscaping Small Grants Program. While the application window for the current (2018-2019) round is now closed, the program offers up to $3,000 reimbursed.