Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (ES) will be hosting the 2023 Capital Program Tribal Relations series to share project information about the ES Capital Program with the 11 federally recognized tribes around Minnesota. We will collect tribal feedback at these events to guide ES planning and engineering design teams.
Background
ES is responsible for operating and maintaining the regional wastewater system which protects public health, protects the environment, and fosters the economic growth of the seven county Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. Due to the nature of wastewater collection and treatment, at times, ES projects sites come into proximity of waterways and landforms that prove culturally significant to Tribal Communities.
To build better relationships with Tribal Nations, ES wants to start a dialogue about partnering opportunities. If a project could have an adverse effect, ES would like to discuss possible ways to avoid, minimize, or mitigate potential impacts. We are encouraging individual or group conversations on projects of concern to avoid or minimize impact to culturally significant resources, as well as to develop collaborative relationships with Tribal Nations for current and future projects.
Of the current projects noted, archaeological and architectural desktop surveys have been created to identify currently known historic properties and if the project area has the potential to contain unknown historic properties.
Tribal relations meeting information
The Capital Program Team is in the development stages of the 2023 Capital Program to be held late this summer. The Chair of the Metropolitan Council will reach out to the Tribal Nations when meeting dates have been chosen. The capital program lists capital investments to preserve and rehabilitate existing wastewater infrastructure, meet more stringent water and air quality regulations, and expand the system capacity to meet regional growth needs.
General agendas for these meetings will continue to include:
- Information about ES
- Review of upcoming projects
- Discussion of partnering opportunities
Dates
Environmental Services will send out invitations and present the 2023 Capital Program projects to Tribal Nations for discussion and engagement. (Anticipated late summer 2023.) Please check back for updated Tribal Open House event dates and information.