Stop by and say hello
 It was great to see so many faces during Cookies with the Commissioners last week in the St. Paul office. It was also good to have our special guests, Laura Bishop, Michelle Beeman, Sarah Strommen (DNR), and Barb Naramore (DNR).
Every Wednesday in the St. Paul office through December 21, we want to welcome each and everyone one of you to stop by and say hello . Stop by grab a treat and say hello anytime between 10-11am. No pressure, just an opportunity to see a few friendly faces in the Commissioner’s Office.
CANCELLED: Air Issues Seminar: West Virginia v. EPA
Today's Monday, December 5, 1-2 p.m. Air Issues Seminar has been cancelled.
Today: 2022 Strategic review information session on water
Please join the Commissioner’s Office for a series of presentations to outline and discuss progress made during the final year of the agency’s 2018-2022 strategic plan. During these sessions, senior leaders will walk through the 2022 strategic review, provide a summary of how the work will continue, and answer your questions. The final session in this series will focus on what’s ahead for the 2023-2028 strategic plan. These meetings are optional. The dates below include links to the Teams meeting. Watch for more information about potential hybrid meetings with in-person options.
Business expense reminder
Please remember to submit business expenses within 60 days of incurring such expense. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires that if employee business expenses are not submitted for reimbursement within 60 days after the expenses were incurred, then the reimbursement is categorized as supplemental wages. As supplemental wages, the reimbursement becomes taxable and withholding tax must be taken. (See IRS publication 15, Wages and Other Compensation.) Since the agency must match the tax paid by employees, the result of noncompliance is a cost to both the employee and the agency.
Questions about retirement benefits?
Representatives from the Minnesota State Retirement System (MSRS) will be available Tuesday, December 6, for individual appointments. Employees will take away information on all three benefits MSRS provides: State Retirement Benefits (MSRS), Deferred Compensation, and Health Care Savings Plan. Click on the time that works for you and fill in the requested information. You will get a confirmation email with your date and time. To register: To meet in person or to meet via phone/Zoom.
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Dress up your space! Cube/office door decorating contest
 Decorate your cube or office door to reflect how you celebrate the winter season. Since we all come from so many backgrounds and celebrate in so many ways, show off your personal style or traditions. Enter to win a $25 Visa gift card! Contest runs November 28-December 20. Judges from DNR, BSWR or EQB will select the winner. Please follow the Building management guidelines when decorating your space.
For the St. Paul office: Stop by Donya Dawson’s desk in the Commissioner’s Office. Drop your name and cube number in the holiday box.
For teleworkers and regional office staff: Send Donya Dawson photos of your cube/office door and your name. Pictures will be printed for judging.
Clothing swap, treasures table, and clothing drive at the Saint Paul office!
The MPCA Sustainability Team is excited to bring back some of our popular holiday traditions! Monday, November 28-Friday, December 9. All events are open to building and DNR staff. See more details and guidance on the Lorax.
Gary Krueger is retiring
After 32 years of service with the MPCA, Gary Krueger has decided to retire. Gary has been the East Metro Supervisor in the Remediation Division for the past four and a half years, and the go-to for all things PFAS (or PFCs) much longer than that. He played a vital role in the $850 Million settlement with 3M in 2018 and will get to see his legacy continue on with communities using settlement funding to build new water treatment plants, connect hundreds of homes to municipal water, and provide thousands of homes with whole home filters. Read more about Gary's career on the Lorax. Gary will be in the office only periodically until his last day, December 20th, so feel free to call/email to wish him well!
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Job openings
To search for more details on these job postings, sign into Self Service. Click on Careers Portal and enter the Job ID number in "Search Jobs."
Stormwater Specialist: Job ID: 60983
Environmental Specialist 1 - Stream Crew Lead: Job ID: 61042
North Biological Monitoring Technician - Streams: Job ID: 61045
North Biological Monitoring Assistant: Job ID: 61046
Stream Crew Lead (South): Job ID: 61074
South Biological Monitoring Assistant: Job ID: 61078
Environmental Specialist 1 - Water Quality: Job ID: 61084
Water Quality Monitoring Technician: Job ID: 61087
Biological Monitoring Technician - Wetland: Job ID: 61090
Student Worker Para Professional Senior - Wetland: Job ID: 61091
South Biological Monitoring Technician - Streams: Job ID: 61100
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In de-icing season, a “less is more” approach best protects lakes and streams
The MPCA offers training for winter maintenance professionals, property managers, and others on how to provide safe surfaces in winter and minimize harmful environmental impacts. There is also a new online workshop for local leaders to learn how they can help. Check out the MPCA’s Smart Salting training website to learn more.
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CANCELLED: Air Issues Seminar: West Virginia v. EPA
Today's Monday, December 5, 1-2 p.m. Air Issues Seminar has been cancelled.
December’s Equity Experience events
Equity Experience events offer a variety of ways to “experience” equity, so we can hold ourselves accountable to learning, growing, and engaging with this important work and our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. In order to receive an IDEA credit for attending an Equity Experience event, you will be required to report what you learned, thought, experienced, etc. to your team, so that there will be accountability and shared learning. Check out the event list on The Lorax.
Leadership Academy presentations
Wednesday December 7, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Join us virtually for Leadership Academy Final presentations on Wednesday December 7 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Come listen as the 2022 Cohort reflects on a year of learning and development. Check out the schedule. Meeting ID: 280 892 447 249, Passcode: sQJRSy
Join Teams meeting.
Courageous Conversations: Understanding land acknowledgment statements
Thursday, December 8, 2-3 p.m.
Have you heard about land acknowledgments, but wonder what they are? While land acknowledgments are usually well intentioned, some Indigenous scholars and leaders say that the way they are sometimes executed by non-Natives can seem hollow, performative, and ultimately, problematic. Join your colleagues via Teams in a Courageous Conversation to discuss the complex nature of land acknowledgements and their potential to be a gateway into deeper understanding that could then form the basis of beneficial action. Find out more on the Lorax.
Join Teams meeting.
Water Issues Seminar: Understanding the St. Louis River Area of Concern Program
Thursday, December 8, 9-10:30 a.m.
This is your opportunity to learn about the large and complex St. Louis River Area of Concern (SLRAOC). In this consortium, MPCA and MNDNR staff will describe how early development along the St. Louis River Estuary led to unintended consequences that are now being addressed under this voluntary program. You’ll learn about its history and framework, remedies that are being applied to contaminated aquatic sediments, habitat restoration projects, funding, and progress that is being made to delist the SLRAOC.
Join Webex meeting.
Initial First Aid, CPR & AED Training
Thursday, December 15
This class is offered as an initial certification class which will take eight hours. The class can have up to 15 attendees. The location for the class will be the St. Paul office and will need a minimum of 8 attendees to be offered. Any staff in the agency may register for the class (First Aid, CPR AED R32PCASAF011-072) in ELM. If you cannot attend the class for any reason, you must drop the class in ELM.
As long as grass grows: The Indigenous fight for environmental justice, from colonization to Standing Rock
Tuesday, January 17, 2023, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
The Equity Committee is inviting all staff to participate in an important discussion featuring the book, As long as grassgrows: The Indigenous fight for environmental justice, from colonization to Standing Rock by Dina Gilio-Whitaker. If you need assistance finding the book, please contact leslie.hunter-larson@state.mn.us. This event is eligible for one IDEA credit. MPCA-sponsored event. No registration required. Anyone interested should read the book before we meet to discuss!
Join Teams meeting
Minnesota high court hears bid to throw out mine permits
The latest dispute over a controversial Minnesota mining project made its way to the state’s top court Wednesday morning, where the MPCA defended its permitting process against allegations that it worked to conceal federal regulators’ concerns from the public. At issue are Clean Water Act permits for PolyMet Mining’s planned NorthMet mine near the North Shore of Lake Superior. — Courthouse News Service
Pollution Control Agency asking Minnesotans to “cool it” on using salt this winter
Now that we’re in the “salt season,” the state MPCA is asking everyone to do their part and help protect Minnesota’s freshwater resources. The MPCA says salt is commonly over-applied, sending too much chloride into our lakes and streams. Chloride is toxic to fish and other aquatic wildlife. — KFGO
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Last week in social media at the MPCA
As winter approaches, Jack Frost may be nipping at your septic system  Check out these tips to help keep your septic system warm and happy this winter and prevent the costs and inconveniences that come when septic systems freeze up: https://bit.ly/3gLIiRM
50 years ago, the Clean Water Act created a ripple effect for creative solutions like Minneapolis’ new Graco Park, which will improve Mississippi river water quality through stormwater management. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3Vcv3J0
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