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Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The climate in Hennepin County is changing. To avoid the most severe and devastating impacts of climate change, we need to make significant changes to how our society operates, and we need to do it quickly. There are opportunities for local government entities to take action through our Environmental Response Fund. Applications are now open for the fall of 2021. These funds are used to fund the assessment and cleanup of contaminated sites in Hennepin County.
Hennepin households can take action now by joining the Zero Waste Challenge and receive personalized coaching and support, virtual educational workshops, waste reduction tips, supplies and materials, and more. Apply here.
The impact of our actions cannot be understated. Hennepin's natural resources opportunity grants support large projects that improve water quality and preserve, establish, or restore natural areas. These grants helped fund a rain garden project in Edina. More information is below.
Updates in this week's newsletter:
🌳 Environmental Response Fund Applications Open for Fall 2021 Grants: Environmental Response Fund (ERF) grants are used to fund the assessment and cleanup of contaminated sites in Hennepin County.
♻ Get personalized help to live a lower waste lifestyle: Participating households in the Zero Waste Challenge can receive personalized coaching and support, attend virtual educational workshops, receive bi-weekly waste reduction tips, get access to supplies and materials, and connect with other households striving to live lower waste lifestyles.
🌎 Natural resources opportunity grants support large projects that have a big impact: Hennepin County’s natural resources opportunity grants support large projects that improve water quality and preserve, establish, or restore natural areas.
🏛 Woodland City Council Meeting
🏠 Reminder: Eviction moratorium is phasing out, apply for help now: Residents could be evicted starting September 12 unless they have an application pending for emergency rent help.
In service,
Chris
Applications are due by November 1, 2021 at 3 p.m.
Environmental Response Fund (ERF) grants are used to fund the assessment and cleanup of contaminated sites in Hennepin County.
ERF grants are awarded on a competitive basis. Priority is given to the following:
- Significantly contaminated sites
- Demonstrated project readiness
- Municipal and other public development projects
- Affordable housing projects where contamination issues preclude redevelopment
- Projects that promote economic development
- Infill brownfield properties or orphan sites that contribute to blight
- Other criteria include projects that incorporate sustainable features and activities in the project design, construction, and operation
Eligible applicants for ERF include:
- Municipalities.
- Economic development agencies.
- Housing and redevelopment authorities.
- Other local public entities.
- Nonprofit organizations.
- For-profit businesses.
ERF grants are not available to non-local government responsible parties.
Applications are open now for the fall grant round and are due by November 1, 2021 at 3 p.m.
Before applying for an ERF grant, contact brownfields@hennepin.us to discuss your project and funding needs.
Application materials will be available through the Supplier Portal. Questions? Visit Hennepin.us/brownfields
About the Environmental Response Fund
The Hennepin County Environmental Response Fund provides funding for the assessment and cleanup of contaminated sites where the added environmental costs hinder site improvements or redevelopment.
To date, Hennepin County has awarded 406 ERF grants totaling more than $57 million.
Learn more about the Environmental Response Fund online.
Apply now for the Zero Waste Challenge
Many people are interested in preventing waste, declutter, and recycling more but aren’t sure where to start. Joining Hennepin County’s Zero Waste Challenge is a great way to learn more and get hands-on help.
Carolyn Wieland of Eden Prairie said the Zero Waste Challenge was “truly life changing for our family. It made us take an in depth look at our consumption and waste habits and equipped us with tools and strategies to become better stewards of the environment.”
Join the next round of the challenge
Throughout the eight-month challenge, participating households receive personalized coaching and support, virtual educational workshops, waste reduction tips, access to supplies and materials, and more.
The challenge will run from mid-September 2021 through early May 2022. Interested households should complete the online application by Tuesday, August 31.
Hennepin County’s natural resources opportunity grants support large projects that improve water quality and preserve, establish, or restore natural areas.
Projects supported by these grants often involve coordinating with multiple partners and leveraging several funding sources. The following opportunity grants recently wrapped up and are having a significant impact on protecting natural resources.
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Addressing flooding and creating an “eco-mosque” in north Minneapolis
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The Masjid an Nur Mosque in north Minneapolis received a $50,000 opportunity grant in 2019 to address water issues in their basement prayer space after heavy rain events.
The mosque partnered with the county, Metropolitan Council, Mississippi Watershed Management Organization, and Metro Blooms to add rain gardens and drainage features adjacent to the building. Rainwater is directed toward those features and away from the building itself. Learn more about the eco-mosque project in the Sahan Journal and from the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization.
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Protecting water quality and engaging the community at six churches in Bloomington and Edina
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The Nine Mile Creek Watershed District received a $60,000 opportunity grant in 2020 to install six rain gardens on church properties in Bloomington and Edina. These rain gardens reduce pollution and protect water quality in Nine Mile Creek and Normandale Lake.
Interpretive signs will be installed to educate the community about the benefits the rain gardens provide. Church staff and volunteers will be trained on rain garden maintenance to ensure they stay functional for 15 years. Learn more from Nine Mile Creek Watershed.
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Integrating stormwater management into a green jobs training center in north Minneapolis
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The Regional Apprenticeship Training Center in north Minneapolis received a $55,000 opportunity grant in 2019 to install a stormwater management system, which includes a series of connected grass swales and rain gardens to keep rainwater on site instead of running off into nearby rivers and streams.
The training center will help students and young adults explore career opportunities in clean energy and develop the skills they need for emerging energy-related careers. The stormwater management system is one component of the green infrastructure at the training center, which also includes a solar array on the roof and electric vehicle charging stations. Learn more on the Energy News Network.
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I joined Woodland Mayor Suerth and the city council on Monday for their council meeting. Meaningful local government partnerships are critical to serving residents and that starts with meaningful conversation. I'm thankful for their leadership and the areas of future collaboration.
By Corey Bork, CCX Media
Hennepin County is once again requiring all employees and visitors to wear a mask inside Hennepin County facilities, which include government buildings and libraries. . . Face coverings will be required regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status.
Access the full article here.
The state moratorium on evictions that's been in place during the pandemic is now being phased out. Residents could be evicted starting September 12 unless they have an application pending for emergency rent help. Tenants or landlords can apply for assistance. Information can be found at www.hennepin.us/rent-help.
The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners consists of one commissioner from each of seven districts. I am proud to represent Deephaven, north Eden Prairie, Edina, Excelsior, Greenwood, Hopkins, Long Lake, Minnetonka, Minnetonka Beach, northern Mound, Orono, Shorewood, Spring Park, Tonka Bay, Wayzata and Woodland.
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Chris LaTondresse
Commissioner
6th District
612-348-7886
Jessica Oaxaca
District Director
612-348-6885
Kyle Olson
Policy Director
612-348-3168
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