Chandi McCracken-Holm started as the new Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Smart Salting Training Administrator on October 27, 2021. She worked for the MPCA the past 9 years in the wastewater compliance and enforcement program. Prior to that Chandi was an environmental intern at the City of Eden Prairie and has now come full circle from her previous role in education and communications at the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. She earned a bachelor’s in environmental science from Southwest State University in Marshall, MN and a master’s in environmental management from Portland State University in Oregon.
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“I love dancing and teaching Scottish dance, playing volleyball & softball, and being outdoors with my family. My husband and I are currently absorbed with watching our toddler grow and learn. I am very excited to join the chloride program and work with Minnesotans to protect our waters that we want to enjoy with our child for years to come.
Join us in welcoming Chandi to to the Smart Salting Team!
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The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is excited to partner with the We Are Water MN program to offer a new Smart Salting for Local Leaders workshop. Developed and presented by a MN GreenCorps member.
With more than 50 waters above the state's water quality standard for chloride, Minnesota policy makers have an important role to play in making chloride reduction decisions that help protect Minnesota’s valuable water resources. This 2-hour workshop is geared towards local decision makers such as city council members and board members who want to gain working knowledge about the impacts of chloride to our environment and infrastructure and learn about specific action steps for policy changes that can help reduce salt pollution in their communities.
Find upcoming workshops on the Smart Salting training calendar | Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (state.mn.us)
Don't see a date that works for your community members? Contact us to host this workshop in your community! smartsalting.pca@state.mn.us
Who should attend?
- Local and state elected officials (including council members and legislators)
- Members of sustainability and environmental commissions
- Board members of housing associations and watershed districts
- Other local decision makers
What you'll learn:
- Environmental, infrastructure, and monetary impacts of chloride
- Introduction to Smart Salting strategies for chloride reduction
- Suggested action steps and policy implementation for chloride reduction
- Tools, resources, and funding opportunities for chloride reduction
MPCA's Smart Salting for Local Leaders is considered an introductory workshop and is not intended as a replacement for other MPCA Smart Salting Certification Trainings. Hands on winter maintenance professionals will benefit most from participating in the MPCA Smart Salting certification trainings. This workshop does not fulfill MS4 permit requirements.
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The City of Marshall has partnered with Bolton & Menck who received a Chloride Reduction Grant from the MPCA to reduce chloride levels in the Redwood River. They will be developing and offering a water softening rebate program to residents to replace or upgrade their water softeners for reduced chloride discharge. Check out their local media coverage: Marshall Independent |
The City of Minneapolis has hosted MN GreenCorps members for two years, with projects focused on improving awareness, participation, and engagement with the city’s water resources and educational programs. Current member Léa Payette, has launched an outreach campaign for the salt mini-course, designed for residents to address the overuse of de-icing salt.
The program aims to increase awareness of the environmental impacts of salt to residents and businesses, and promote physical snow and ice removal to avoid using salt. The mini-course is self-guided and provides an overview of salt as a pollutant and best practices on using salt efficiently by reading a few lessons and watching videos.
Interested in becoming a Minnesota GreenCorps Member?
Minnesota GreenCorps, an AmeriCorps program coordinated by the MPCA, is looking for motivated, service-minded individuals to improve the environment and build community resilience throughout the state. The MPCA is recruiting 48 full-time members to serve for 11 months, from September 2022 to August 2023. Members are placed at local governments, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions statewide.
Members serve on a variety of environmentally focused projects including reducing chloride pollution.
MN GreenCorps members receive a living allowance, health insurance, student loan forbearance, and an education award for future education expenses or qualified student loans. As a professional development program, members receive training and the opportunity to develop green job skills, gain professional experience, and network with environmental professionals.
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The MPCA partnered with the University of Minnesota's Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP) to to develop Best Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce chloride discharge in industrial wastewater effluent from water softeners. This work compiled a list of BMPs and created a flowchart for operations that should be considered during a water softener audit. These BMPs and audit strategies were tested during site visits at five facilities with a goal of making recommendations to companies to implement the BMPs.
The MPCA provides zero-interest loans to small businesses for capital equipment purchases that meet or exceed environmental regulations.
Apply now for 0% interest! Benefits include an easy application process, flexible collateral options, and a long 7-year payback. Awarded applications are based on the applicant's ability to secure and repay the loan, and the project's expected environmental benefits. All project costs must be pre-approved and cannot be acted upon until the application process is complete. Borrowers must report on the project's realized environmental and economic benefits.
To qualify, a borrower must be an existing small business corporation, sole proprietorship, partnership, or association with:
- Fewer than 100 full-time employees
- An after-tax profit of less than $500,000
- A demonstrated ability to repay the loan
Loan terms and conditions:
- Loan amount between $1,000 and $75,000
- 0% interest rate
- Repayment term up to seven years
- Flexibility in the types of collateral accepted
- Awarded throughout the year
Many business sectors are eligible. Eligible projects that will reduce chloride and help protect Minnesota's water resources include but are not limited to:
- High efficiency water softening equipment
- Brine making and application equipment
- Plow blade and broom technology
- Pavement temperature sensors
When your loan has been repaid, the money will be loaned to other small businesses so they can make environmental improvements, too. It’s a virtuous cycle and you can be part of it.
Applications and more information can be found at Small Business Environmental Improvement Loans | Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (state.mn.us)
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The MPCA's Smart Salting program offers several certification trainings and workshops for a range of audiences, we now have something for everyone!
For hands on winter maintenance staff & supervisors we suggest:
- Smart Salting for Roads
- Smart Salting for Parking Lots & Sidewalks
Watch the MPCA Smart Salting Training for Winter Maintenance Professionals video to hear from maintenance pros that are now using less salt and still offering a high level of service!
For property managers, environmental professionals and advocates, business owners, MS4 and Wastewater permit staff we offer:
- Smart Salting for Property Management
To learn more about what this training offers watch our MPCA Smart Salting training for property management video.
For elected officials, board members and other local leaders attend:
- Smart Salting for Local Leaders
Stay tuned for a new certification training for plumbers and water softening professionals:
- Smart Salting for Water Treatment - coming soon!!
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Find upcoming classes and register on the MPCA's Smart Salting Training Calendar.
Questions about the Smart Salting program? Email smartsalting.pca@state.mn.us
Support for the MPCA Smart Salting Program comes from Clean Water Land & Legacy funds.
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Register now for the online 2022 Salt Symposium and get the early bird rate – 20% off! The rate is running now through June and full price registration starts in July.
Salt Symposium is dedicated to increasing awareness of the effects of chloride use and inspiring changes that lead to a lower chloride future. Symposium goals:
- Protect vital freshwater systems
- Promote healthier communities
- Reduce infrastructure damage and maintenance costs
- Help communities meet regulatory requirements
- Reduce budget requirements through future planning
Topics our experts will cover during the two-day event
- Drinking water, wastewater, and water softening
- Fertilizer, soils, and erosion control
- Citizen involvement
- Winter maintenance
- Snow and ice management future concepts
Complimentary MPCA SMART SALTING Certification Trainings included with Symposium Registration
August 4th and 5th
This is produced by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Chloride Reduction Program. Contact smartsalting.pca@state.mn.us with editorial questions or requests.
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