What is Stormwater?
Stormwater is water from rain or melting snow that “runs off” driveways, parking lots, roads, yards, rooftops, and other hard surfaces and is not absorbed into the ground.

Where does Stormwater runoff go?
Stormwater runoff picks up residue, nutrients, chemicals, litter and other pollutants and usually flows into the nearest waterway such as a stream, creek, lake or river. Because the water is not treated, stormwater could negatively impact these waterways by causing water pollution, flooding, and erosion along stream banks. 

What can I do to help reduce the amount of Stormwater runoff?
Impacts from stormwater runoff can be reduced by implementing Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs). BMPs consist of a variety of natural systems that can be constructed to reduce runoff, such as rain gardens, native vegetation filter strips and rain barrels. BMPs help capture rain water where it lands, allowing pollutants and residues to filter out before they have a chance to enter directly into the waterways. The City of Gardner provides a Stormwater BMP Cost-Share Program to financially assist those interested in developing a BMP system. 

Gardner’s Stormwater BMP Cost-Share Program:
The City of Gardner has partnered with the Johnson County Stormwater Management Program to provide up to $10,000 for a stormwater BMP cost-share program. This program is a new way to help control the impacts of stormwater runoff.

The goal of this cost-share program is to encourage individual homeowners and businesses to incorporate BMPs on their property to aid in the improvement of water quality. The program is intended to help cover the cost of materials and/or contractor labor to install such facilities.

The cost-share program provides:

• 50% match on BMP’s, up to $1,000 for rain gardens, native planting swales/buffers, cisterns, permeable pavement (driveways/patios)
• 50% match on rain barrels, up to $75 each (max. of 2 per household)
• 50% match on native trees, up to $75 each (max. of 2 per household)

Funding is available to applicants on a first-come, first-served basis, and applications will be considered in the order they are received. Applications may be limited by the number of requests and available funding. Funding will not be allowed for BMPs that are required to meet National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II post-construction runoff control requirements.

Program Applicant Conditions:

1. The applicant shall be responsible for all project costs. After submitting all final costs and receipts, the City of Gardner will obtain reimbursement from the County and pass it on to the applicant.
2. The project must be completed by October 31, of the year of application.
3. The City of Gardner will require access to the property for evaluation of the application prior to the start of construction, during construction, and after construction is complete for final inspection of the project. The city will also need access to the project during the three-year maintenance period.
4. It is the property owner’s responsibility to begin work once the project has been approved. The City of Gardner is not liable for personal injury or property damage resulting from said work.
5. Projects approved for funding do not carry a warranty by the City of Gardner.
6. All funded projects shall be maintained by the property owner for a minimum period of three years. All maintenance costs are the responsibility of the property owner.
7. The applicant is responsible for obtaining all applicable permits. This includes notifying Kansas One Call before digging. This application approval does not constitute a permit.

Instructions:

1. Fill out the application. Attach map, project summary/description, cost summary and project schedule.
2. Include any cost estimates or quotes.
3. Make sure the application is signed by the property owner(s).
4. Submit the completed application and all required documents to:

City of Gardner
Attn: BMP Cost Share Program
120 E. Main Street
Gardner, KS 66030

5. Once your application has been approved contact Public Works at (913) 856-0914, for the following:

a. For an initial inspection prior to the start of the project.
b. For a final inspection after the project is constructed.
c. To submit final receipts for approval and payment.