Rainscaping Large Grants Program
Large rainscaping projects within the Program Area may be eligible for complete reimbursement.
As part of MSD Project Clear, MSD’s Consent Decree with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Missouri Coalition for the Environment, MSD is committed to spending $120 million in rainscaping investments, with an overall goal of reducing combined sewer overflows to the Mississippi River and River Des Peres. MSD seeks to continue to build partnerships with municipalities, local government agencies, schools, community development organizations, and private developers through the Rainscaping Large Scale Grants Program. We hope to engage partners to identify joint opportunities to incorporate rainscaping into ongoing programs and future redevelopment projects.
The Rainscaping Large Grants Program is a REIMBURSEMENT program. Projects must be located in the Light Green Grant Program Area (Mississippi CSO) or the Dark Green Program Area (River Des Peres CSO). Map indicates areas potentially eligible for Rainscaping grant program. Final eligibility of specific properties must be verified by the District for CSO reductions based on drainage and sewer configuration in the area. Grantees must have adequate funding available to cover all aspects of their rainscaping project from design and permitting, through MSD construction approval. For both of the following application processes, design plans that are signed and sealed by a licensed engineer are required as part of the application.
There are TWO WAYS TO APPLY for a Large Grant:
>>> DEVELOPMENT REVIEW GRANT
This is a non-competitive opportunity for qualifying projects to receive reimbursement of costs for eligible rainscaping components. This opportunity is available year-round. If you are constructing a project within the Rainscaping Grant Program Area (light and dark green areas), your stormwater management installations may qualify for a grant through MSD’s Development Review Process. The current maximum reimbursement rate for the Rainscaping Large Grants – Development Review applications is $180,000/acre of total drainage area managed.
This option is streamlined with MSD’s current Development Review process. Projects with eligible rainscaping features that meet program requirements qualify for rainscaping reimbursement, pending available funds. 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.
>>> ANNUAL CALL GRANT
The application period is dated below for competitive projects to receive reimbursement of costs for eligible rainscaping components. There is not a set maximum reimbursement rate for this option. However, projects are reviewed for cost effectiveness. Creative approaches to rainscaping are encouraged.
- The application period is from September 1, 2023 to October 27, 2023.
- Applications are due to MSD by October 27, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.
- MSD will notify the applicants of their decision no later than March 1, 2024.
- Construction must begin prior to March 1, 2026.
Interested applicants are encouraged to discuss possible proposals as soon as possible to facilitate good proposals and efficient reviews.
PROGRAM CONTACT: rainscaping@stlmsd.com
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