MWRD Accepting Applications For Voluntary Flood-Prone Property Acquisition Program, Local Stormwater Partnership Funding

MWRD accepting applications for voluntary Flood-Prone Property Acquisition Program, local stormwater partnership funding until March 12, 2021; training webinar to be held January 22 at 2 p.m.

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) is seeking project applications from local government organizations within the MWRD’s corporate boundaries to address flooding and drainage problems through the MWRD’s voluntary Flood-Prone Property Acquisition Program and Local Stormwater Partnership Program. An optional training webinar to discuss the application process is set for Friday, January22, 2021 at 2 p.m. Join the webinar on your computer or mobile app through Microsoft Teams at the link:

Click or visit https://bit.ly/2LaVpw0 to join the webinar

Or call in (audio only)

+1 872-242-7899,,304880994#

Phone Conference ID: 304 880 994#

To identify solutions to local flooding problems throughout Cook County, the Local Stormwater Partnership Program willaccept applications for conceptual projects and providetechnical assistance through analysis of alternatives and conceptual design. The MWRD’s goal is to alternate the priority for shovel-ready and conceptual projects in theapplication process every other cycle. Projects that are submitted due to lack of maintenance will not be considered.

The Flood-Prone Property Acquisition Program provides funding support for acquisition of flood-prone properties. The applicant/partner agency is responsible for the acquisitions, including obtaining appraisals, making offers, conducting property closings, establishing escrow and demolition. The partner agency is also responsible for accepting ownership of the acquired property, ensuring perpetual public open-space use and maintenance of the property, and providing regular reports certifying compliance with the terms of the intergovernmental agreements. MWRD’s top priority will be to facilitate the Illinois Emergency Management Agency's federally funded program by assisting Local Sponsor communities in providing their share of the cost for property acquisition. MWRD will also consider applications directly from local governments requesting property acquisition of specific flood-prone structures that have not received federal funding through IEMA.

Applications and all attachments may be submitted via e-mail, online, U.S. mail or other courier service by March 12, 2021 at 11:59 PM CST. Late or partial applications will not be accepted. Electronic submission online or via E-mail is preferred.

Applicants may learn more or submit their application online at https://mwrd.org/form/voluntary-flood-prone-2020

E-mail:​Submit applications to StormApps@mwrd.org. Limit email size (including attachments) to 50MB. Submit application in one email only if possible and include a list of all attachments in that email. Attach files using a filename that is unique to your project, referencing the organization name and/or project title.

Mail:​It is strongly preferred that applications and all attachments be submitted electronically on a CD, DVD, or flash drive. If you are unable to submit electronic copies, please mail your application in a sealed envelope titled “FLOOD PRONE PROPERTY ACQUISITION APPLICATION.”

Evaluation Criteria
The MWRD will rank submitted partnership applications based on socio-economic need of the community, propensity of nearby flooding (including frequency and severity), the number of flood-prone structures that benefit from the project, and cost-effectiveness.