B2 - Greener Stormwater Solutions

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John Grimm, P.E., Principal Engineer, Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District
J. Tracy Boaz, AICP, Community Conservationist, Missouri Department of Conservation
Scott Woodbury, Horticulturalist, Shaw Nature Reserve – Missouri Botanical Garden

Abstract

Stormwater management practices have evolved from "gray" solutions designed to capture and convey stormwater as quickly as possible to the nearest stream to "green" practices designed to promote infiltration and function more like a natural landscape. The Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD) implemented new requirements for post-construction stormwater best management practices in 2006.

MSD uses the Maryland Stormwater Design Manual as an engineering design guide. However, the construction materials and plantings in the Maryland Manual needed to be locally fit to St. Louis. Additionally, there was a need to efficiently provide native plant recommendations for stormwater best management practices that will thrive in challenging engineered conditions and be accepted in the urban landscape. MSD partnered with Missouri Botanical Garden’s Shaw Nature Reserve, Missouri Department of Agriculture, Missouri Department of Conservation and the Grow Native! Program and developed the Landscape Guide for Stormwater Best Management Practices. The guide provides design and planting guidance and a native plant list in a PDF and a sortable Excel format.

The Landscape Guide, completed in March 2009, affects new construction, expansion and redevelopment projects in 80% of St. Louis County and all of the City of St. Louis. MSD is the public agency responsible for wastewater and stormwater management in this area, which covers 525 square miles and serves 1.4 million residents. DNR has indicated it plans to incorporate the guide and plant list into its guidance for communities statewide.

This presentation shares how the Landscape Guide was developed and why it was needed. It also delves into the details of the stormwater best management practices and the plants selected.