We are excited to host a Minnesota GreenCorps member during the 30-year anniversary of the AmeriCorps program! Angela Hugunin will serve at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for 11 months, supporting chloride reduction efforts with the MPCA, plus community outreach and engagement with We Are Water MN. Her chloride reduction service will range from facilitating Smart Salting for Community Leaders workshops to compiling chloride reduction success stories. In her service with We Are Water MN, a traveling exhibit and community outreach program, she will provide programming, educational resources, and communications support for the exhibit’s 2024 host sites. Angela spent recent years away from her home state of Minnesota, so she is thrilled to be back with the people and water she loves.
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Sign up for our virtual Smart Salting for Community Leaders workshop being offered in partnership with Vadnais Lakes Area Management Organization and the Rice Creek Watershed District on December 7.
This workshop helps community leaders understand the impacts of chloride on infrastructure and water resources and provide them with resources and specific action steps to make policy changes in their communities to reduce salt pollution. This workshop is great for local elected officials, members of sustainability and environmental commissions, board members of housing associations, neighborhood associations, or watershed districts, school leadership, city administrators, and other local decision makers and advocates.
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Want to host a workshop for your community?
With support from the Minnesota GreenCorps program we are happy to offer this workshop to partners at no cost.
Email us to schedule a workshop for your community today! smartsalting.pca@state.mn.us
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The Minnesota Technical Assistance Program (MnTAP) is hosting a water efficiency webinar with project partner Minnesota Rural Water Association (MRWA) on December 5th from 1-2 pm CST.
They will present common water efficiency strategies, highlight results from their Water Efficiency for MN Cities and Businesses project, and introduce a new water assessment tool. Register for the Zoom webinar with this link.
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Funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). |
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The MPCA's chloride reduction program is excited to promote Winter Salt Awareness Week, January 22-26, 2024. The goal is to educate residents on salt pollution, how it affects our health and freshwater ecosystems, what’s being done, and how we can support local efforts.
Experts in environmental justice, road maintenance, and ecology will discuss facets of this issue that impact your community.
Register online at www.wisaltwise.com and tune in daily from 12:30-1pm in January for this week-long series of YouTube live streams.
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Winter is now upon us and if you are not quite ready yet there's still time to attend a Smart Salting training to help you prepare for the winter weather at our doorstep. Attend a Smart Salting Training and earn a certification by learning how to maintain safety while reducing infrastructure damage, saving money and minimizing negative impacts to the environment.
For hands on winter maintenance staff & supervisors we suggest:
Smart Salting for Roads Certification - 5 year certification
- Wednesday, December 6 (online) Register HERE
- Thursday, January 11 (online) Register HERE
- Thursday, February 8 (online) Register HERE
Smart Salting for Parking Lots & Sidewalks Certification - 5 year certification
- Wednesday, November 29 (online) Register HERE
- Thursday, December 14 (online) Register HERE
- Tuesday, January 16 (online) Register HERE
- Wednesday, January 17 (Virginia, MN) Register HERE with Level 2 option
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!
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For property managers, environmental professionals, business owners, MS4 permit staff, and those who hire now & ice contractors we offer:
Smart Salting for Property Management Certification - 3 year certification
- Thursday, December 14 (online) Register HERE
- Wednesday, February 7 (online) Register HERE
To learn more about what this training offers watch our MPCA Smart Salting training for property management video.
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For winter maintenance leadership, public works managers & supervisors, MS4 permittee’s, business owners, superintendents, and other lead staff.
Level 2 Certification training - 2 year organization certification
Participants are shown how to best use the web-based Smart Salting Tool (SST) and the steps to obtain Level 2 certification for their organization. Participants will also get an introduction to the NEW chloride source evaluation feature of the SST! Great training for MS4 permitees with a chloride WLA.
- Tuesday, December 5 (online) – Register HERE
For those already certified, check out our new Smart Salting refreshers to learn about new topics.
These trainings meet MS4 permitee annual winter maintenance training requirements. The 3-hour refreshers take a deeper dive into different aspects of winter maintenance practices. Those with a current Smart Salting certification status are welcome to attend these refreshers.
Liquid deicer refresher
- Thursday, February 15 (online) – Register HERE
Salt & Snow Storage Refresher
- Tuesday, January 9 (online) - Register HERE
Weather for Winter Maintenance Refresher
- Contact us to request this refresher topic
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Find upcoming trainings, refreshers and workshop on the MPCA's Smart Salting Training Calendar and register today!
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Questions about the Smart Salting training program? Email smartsalting.pca@state.mn.us
Support for the MPCA Smart Salting Training Program comes from Clean Water Land & Legacy funds.
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The MPCA provides zero-interest loans to small businesses (fewer than 100 full-time employees) 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.
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:
- Brine making and application equipment
- Plow blade and broom technology
- Pavement temperature sensors
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 11-month GreenCorps service term began in mid-September, with a new class of 47 GreenCorps members serving a variety of organizations across the state. Members serve in one of four focus areas: Air Pollutant Reduction, Community Readiness and Outreach, Green Infrastructure Improvements, or Waste Reduction, Recycling, and Organics Management. This year, eight members have a specific chloride reduction component of their work plan. Organizations eligible to host GreenCorps members include government entities (local, regional, state, and tribal), school districts, public education institutions, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits. GreenCorps members can meaningfully support organizations’ efforts toward chloride reduction, as well as other environmental goals.
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If you’re interested in learning more about the Minnesota GreenCorps program or applying to be a host site, visit the MPCA GreenCorps website and look for more information in February and March of 2024. |
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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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