 November 2025
November 18, 2025
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Chanhassen Library Wilder Room, located at 7711 Kerber Blvd. in Chanhassen, MN 55317
Carver County is again hosting the Septic Systems and Property Sales workshop for realtors. This is an approved course from the Minnesota Department of Commerce and participants will receive 2 credits for real estate continuing education.
Description
This course provides an overview of subsurface sewage treatment systems (septic systems) in connection with property sales and property transfers. Topics covered include the following.
- Septic system overview
- Sizing
- Setbacks
- Variances
- Building permits
- Grant programs and funding opportunities provided by the County and the state
Register
Spaces are limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Register by filling out the septic systems realtor workshop form.
Questions
Contact Jacob McLain or (952) 361-1801.
A reminder to rethink waste
Each year on November 15, communities across the country celebrate America Recycles Day, a national initiative dedicated to promoting recycling and waste reduction. The day serves as a reminder that the choices we make every day, what we buy, how we dispose of items, and how we reuse materials, have a lasting impact on the environment.
In Minnesota, we have a lot to be proud of. Minnesotans are among the best recyclers in the nation, and our recycling programs consistently achieve relatively low contamination rates compared to many other states. This means residents are doing a good job keeping non-recyclable materials out of the bin and ensuring that what’s collected can actually be reused.
Still, there’s always room for improvement. Learning what can and can’t be recycled locally, choosing reusable products, and reducing waste at the source all help strengthen our recycling system.
This November 15, take a moment to review your recycling habits, share tips with neighbors, and commit to one new sustainable action. Small efforts, multiplied across communities, create meaningful progress toward a cleaner, more sustainable Minnesota.
 Advisory committee members at Eagle Lake during the summer 2025 tour.
Volunteer your time to protect water resources.
There is an opening on our citizen advisory committee. This committee provides input to staff and makes recommendations to the County Board on water resource policies, projects and programs.
The opening is for a citizen representative from Carver County Commissioner
District 1.
Interested candidates can apply online or contact mseveland@carvercountymn.gov or 952-361-1026 to request a paper application.
Submit your application by December 28, 2025. Appointments are made in early January.
GreenCorps members
Two GreenCorps members are serving with Carver County Environmental Services and Carver County Water Management Organization for the next 11 months. The Minnesota GreenCorps program is an Americorps service program, coordinated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency with the goal of preserving and protecting Minnesota's environment while training a new generation of environmental professionals.
Meet Addie
Hello! My name is Addie. In the beginning of October, I began my term as a Minnesota GreenCorps member in the Carver County Environmental Services Office. I’m a recent graduate of Scripps College in Claremont, California where I received a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Analysis with a focus on policy. I grew up in St. Paul, and I’m thrilled to be contributing to environmental sustainability in the region I’ve called home for most of my life. While serving, I will continue the work of past GreenCorps members to promote waste reduction, recycling, and composting, working closely with the Minnesota Composting Council. Additionally, I will support community partners and residents as Carver County’s sustainable building materials reuse program — ReClaim It — continues to expand. I'm looking forward to the coming year and contributing to some of the great waste reduction initiatives here in the county!
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Meet Tom
Hello everyone. My name is Tom, and I am the Minnesota GreenCorps member who will be serving with the Carver County Water Management Organization for the next 11 months. This is my second term with GreenCorps serving with the Water Management Organization. My focus this term will be building upon the work I did last year on native plant maintenance and chloride pollution education initiatives in Carver County.
I am studying environmental sciences, policy, and management at the University of Minnesota -Twin Cities. My passions include birding, community engagement/education, and a love of our outdoor spaces. I am grateful for the opportunity to return to service at Carver County and am excited for the opportunities and lessons this year will bring.
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This fall, Carver County Environmental Services hosted two educational tours for city staff and county commissioners, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the systems that support waste reduction and sustainability in our region. The tours highlighted the vital role of local infrastructure in managing hazardous waste, recycling, and organics; and how collaboration between cities and the county can strengthen these efforts.
The first stop was Dakota Prairie Composting in Shakopee, a state-of-the-art facility that will transform the landscape of yard waste and organics management in Carver County. The tour focused on how the facility supports the county’s growing residential organics recycling program and helps divert organic materials from landfills. The tour emphasized the importance of source separation and reducing contamination to ensure high-quality compost.
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The second tour brought attendees to the Carver County Environmental Center in Chaska. This visit was designed to help city staff better understand the services offered by the program and explore opportunities for collaboration on the safe management of problem materials.
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By highlighting these regional partnerships and investments, the tours brought to life the goals outlined in Carver County’s Solid Waste Management Plan: expanding organics recycling, improving material recovery, and strengthening collaboration across the county.
These tours provided a valuable opportunity for city and county leaders to connect, learn, and discuss shared goals around waste reduction and environmental stewardship. Seeing these facilities in action helped participants gain a deeper appreciation for the infrastructure that supports waste management and sustainability efforts, and how working together can amplify impact.
Work begins early November
Sediment delta formed in Big Woods Lake by erosion from the ravine.
Work begins in early November to stabilize an actively eroding ravine near Big Woods Lake in Chaska.
The start of the ravine, known as the head cut, poses a risk to Hwy 41 and eroded soil from the ravine is washing into Big Woods Lake causing sediment pollution.
The work includes the following.
- Building a rock chute to guide water down a 6-foot drop from the wetland into the ravine, preventing erosion.
- Adding small step-like structures (grade checks) in the ravine bottom to slow down the water and reduce erosion.
- Placing rocks along the bottom edges of the ravine banks to protect them from washing away and keep them stable.
As work begins, you will notice equipment staging along the should of Hwy 41 and tree clearing in the area. The project will take 2-3 weeks to complete.
The project is funded by a grant from the Board of Water & Soil Resources and the Carver County Water Management Organization.
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 View of the ravine site from Hwy 41 in Chaska.
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