DEPARTMENT: Environmental Resources
FILE TYPE: Regular Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Adopt 2024–2044 Dakota County Solid Waste Management Plan
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize adoption of the 2024–2044 Dakota County Solid Waste Management Plan (Attachment: 2024–2044 Solid Waste Management Plan).
SUMMARY
Background. In Minnesota, counties are responsible for developing projects and programs to achieve state goals for waste management. On January 30, 2024, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) adopted the 2022–2042 Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Policy Plan (Policy Plan), providing the framework for solid waste management in the Twin Cities metropolitan area over a 20-year time horizon. Minn. Stat. § 473.803 requires metropolitan counties to submit revised solid waste management plans to implement the Policy Plan. The Policy Plan prescribes strategies that must be incorporated into county plans, including specific required strategies and optional strategies that must meet a minimum point threshold. Revised Metropolitan county plans must be submitted to the MPCA Commissioner for final review and approval.
Stakeholder Engagement: Stakeholder engagement was conducted to develop the 2024–2044 Management Plan, which included a 21-day public comment period. By Resolution No. 24-368 (July 30, 2024), the County Board authorized release of the draft 2024–2044 Management Plan for a 21-day public review and comment period.
2024–2044 Solid Waste Management Plan: The 2024–2044 Management Plan was developed in accordance with Minn. Stats. §§ 473.803 and 115A. It communicates Dakota County’s vision, policies, strategies, tactics, and timing for solid waste management over the next 20 years. It includes all required Policy Plan strategies, optional Policy Plan strategies that meet the minimum point value (total 82 points of required 75 points), and continuing County strategies for ongoing activities from the 2018–2038 Solid Waste Master Plan, with implementation timelines based on the Policy Plan and stakeholder feedback. Tactics for each strategy provide implementation details as required by Minn. Stat. § 115A.46. The 2024–2044 Management Plan incorporates comments, guidance, and recommendations from stakeholder engagement, public review, the Dakota County Planning Commission, and the County Board. By Resolution No. 24-514 (October 29, 2024), the County Board authorized submittal of the draft 2024–2044 Solid Waste Management Plan, dated October 2024, to the MPCA for review and approval.
MPCA staff reviewed the plan and did not request any revisions. On August 22, 2025, the MPCA Commissioner approved the 2024–2044 Management Plan (Attachment: MPCA Approval).
The recommended 2024–2044 Solid Waste Management Plan replaces the 2018-2038 Solid Waste Master Plan adopted by the County Board by Resolution No. 18-493 (September 18, 2018).
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Adopt the 2024–2044 Solid Waste Management Plan.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
None at this time. Implementation and costs will be determined annually as part of the County Board of Commissioners work plan priorities and approval of the Environmental Resources Department budget.
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Minnesota counties are responsible for developing projects and programs to achieve state goals for waste management; and
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) adopted the 2022–2042 Metropolitan Solid Waste Management Policy Plan (Policy Plan) on January 30, 2024; and
WHEREAS, Minn. Stat. § 473.803 requires each metropolitan county to revise its current solid waste management plan to implement the revised Policy Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Policy Plan prescribes strategies that must be incorporated into county-specific plans, including required strategies and optional strategies that must meet a minimum point threshold; and
WHEREAS, stakeholder engagement was conducted and comments were gathered on waste management barriers and opportunities, timing, and needs for a preliminary set of required and optional strategies from the MPCA Policy Plan; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 24-368 (July 30, 2024), the County Board authorized release of the draft 2024–2042 Dakota County Solid Waste Management Plan (2024–2024 Management Plan) for a 30-day public review and comment period; and
WHEREAS, the 2024–2044 Management Plan incorporates input from stakeholder engagement, public review, the Dakota County Planning Commission, and the County Board; and
WHEREAS, the 2024–2024 Management Plan was developed in accordance with Minn. Stats. §§ 473.803 and 115A; and
WHEREAS, the 2024–2024 Management Plan communicates Dakota County’s vision, policies, strategies, and tactics for solid waste management over the next 20 years; and
WHEREAS, the 2024–2024 Management Plan includes Policy Plan required strategies and optional strategies that meet the minimum point value; and
WHEREAS, tactics and timelines have been included as required by Minn. Stat. § 115A.46; and
WHEREAS, revised Metropolitan county master plans must be submitted to the MPCA Commissioner for review and approval; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 24-514 (October 29, 2024), the County Board authorized submittal of the draft 2024-2044 Management Plan, dated October 2024, to the MPCA for review and approval; and
WHEREAS, the MPCA Commissioner approved the 2024–2044 Management Plan on August 22, 2025; and
WHEREAS, staff recommends adoption of the 2024–2044 Management Plan; and
WHEREAS, implementation and costs will be determined annually as part of the County Board of Commissioners' work plan priorities and approval of the Environmental Resources Department budget.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby adopts the 2024–2044 Solid Waste Management Plan.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
24-368; 7/30/24
24-514; 10/29/24
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: 2024–2044 Solid Waste Management Plan
Attachment: MPCA Approval
Attachment: Presentation Slides
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