Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash (left) and Steve Hackley with an Eastern Redbud Tree.
(Photo courtesy of Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner)Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash is proud to announce the first completed residential green stormwater infrastructure project under his new RainSmart Rebates program. Royal Oak resident Steve Hackley had two trees planted, an Eastern Redbud and a Nannyberry Viburnum, which will help manage stormwater runoff on his property. Commissioner Nash recently visited Hackley’s home to see the project firsthand.
RainSmart Rebates is a program that encourages homeowners to adopt green stormwater infrastructure practices by offering financial incentives of up to $2,000 for planting trees, installing rain gardens, and using rain barrels on their properties. These practices help reduce stormwater runoff, improve water quality, and create more sustainable communities. For more information about RainSmart Rebates, visit oakgov.com/rainsmart.
“I am thrilled to see residents like Steve Hackley taking the initiative and contributing to a greener, more sustainable Oakland County,” said Nash. “This program is a vital step toward fostering environmental stewardship and advocating for stormwater management.”
Hackley shared his positive experience surrounding RainSmart Rebates with Commissioner Nash, mentioning he was motivated by the need to manage water runoff in his yard. Overall, he says everything from the application to the site assessment and installation was a smooth and easy process. Hackley recommends the program to others and added that he intends to build upon his green infrastructure projects in the future.
Since the program launched in January, RainSmart Rebates has garnered significant interest, receiving more than 440 applications from residents across all 14 municipalities in the George W. Kuhn Drain Drainage District. In addition to Royal Oak, residents in the following cities, villages, and townships are eligible to participate, Berkley, Beverly Hills, Birmingham, Clawson, Ferndale, Hazel Park, Huntington Woods, Madison Heights, Oak Park, Pleasant Ridge, Southfield, Troy, and Royal Oak Township.
To date, 87 site assessments have been completed and 140 residents have been accepted into the program. The high demand for the program has resulted in a waitlist, with applicants being accepted on a first-come, first-served basis as additional funding becomes available.
“We are gradually moving people off the waitlist as we better understand the projects residents are interested in implementing,” said Nash.
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