A private businessman in Springfield, Mo., is pairing with local environmental groups for a new storm water project.

Developer Matt O'Reilly plans to integrate innovative storm water designs in his retail shopping center on Republic Road.

Holly Neill of the James River Basin Partnership told the News-Leader reported that development will feature a roof planted with hardy plants to absorb water, a cistern system, permeable concrete and bio-swales to collect runoff. These features are intended to conserve water and allow it to soak into the ground, according to Neill.

Neill had approached O’Reilly about the storm water project because he had already been planning to use environmentally friendly practices for his shopping center, the Green Circle.

This is the first urban project to come out of a water quality improvement project Bond started two years ago.

Since fiscal year 2005, Senators Kit Bond and Jim Talent secured $5 million for southwest Missouri water quality projects. Bond reported to the News-Leader that these projects are important because he is concerned about water resources stressed by drought and other factors.

The project is a partnership with Green Circle, the James River Basin Partnership, the Upper White River Basin Foundation and the Environmental Resources Coalition.

Source: News-Leader