DEPARTMENT: Environmental Resources
FILE TYPE: Regular Information
TITLE
title
Update On Required Revisions To Dakota County Solid Waste Management Plan
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Provide an update on required revisions to the Dakota County Solid Waste Management Plan (Management Plan).
SUMMARY
Background: In Minnesota, counties are required to develop projects and programs to achieve state goals for waste management. The Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Policy Plan (Policy Plan) is a 20-year plan that sets goals and policy for the metropolitan solid waste system and provides the framework for metropolitan county waste management responsibilities. Minn. Stat. § 473.149 requires Metropolitan counties (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington) to follow the Policy Plan.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) adopted a revised Policy Plan <https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/w-sw7-22.pdf> on January 30, 2024. Minn. Stat. § 473.803 requires each metropolitan county to revise its current county solid waste management plan to identify strategies to implement the revised Policy Plan. Revised county solid waste management plans must be submitted to the MPCA within nine months after the MPCA Commissioner adopts the Policy Plan.
The revised Policy Plan includes aggressive numeric objectives for each solid waste management method (reduction/reuse, recycling, organics recovery, resource recovery, land disposal) and provides strategies for stakeholder implementation. The Policy Plan emphasizes managing waste on the upper end of the Waste Management Hierarchy of preferred waste management methods established in Minn. Stat. §115A.02 and includes strategies with a new or expanded focus in the areas of waste reduction and reuse, organics and wood waste, and building materials reuse. For the first time, the Policy Plan includes required strategies for counties to implement and a menu of optional strategies with assigned point values that counties need to select from to reach a minimum point target.
The Attachment includes the list of Policy Plan goals and waste management strategies. Staff will present an update on the Policy Plan and on the proposed county Management Plan revision process.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Information only; no action requested.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
None.
☐ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
Information only; no action requested.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Policy Plan Goals and Strategies
BOARD GOALS
☐ A Great Place to Live ☒ A Healthy Environment
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Nikki Stewart
Author: Renee Burman