EQB Board Packet July 2017 · 2017-07-07 · This month’s meeting will take place in the...

520 Lafayette Road St. Paul, MN 55155-4194

MINNESOTA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY BOARD

Phone: 651-757-2873 Fax: 651-297-2343

www.eqb.state.mn.us

July 19, 2017

Meeting Location: MPCA Board Room St. Paul, Minnesota

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

AGENDA General This month’s meeting will take place in the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency board room at 520 Lafayette Road in St. Paul. The Environmental Quality Board (EQB or Board) meeting will be available via live webcast on July 19 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. You will be able to access the webcast on our website: www.eqb.state.mn.us/webcasts The Jupiter Parking Lot is for all day visitors and is located across from the Law Enforcement Center on Grove Street. The Blue Parking Lot is also available for all day visitors and is located off of University and Olive Streets. Public comment is taken on all agenda items. Time allocated for discussion is at the discretion of the Board Chair. I. *Adoption of Consent Agenda Proposed Agenda for July 19, 2017 Board Meeting June 8, 2017 Meeting Minutes June 14, 2017 Meeting Minutes II. Introductions

III. Chair’s Report IV. Executive Director’s Report V. Paris Climate Agreement VI. Public Comment and Discussion VII. Interagency Climate Adaptation Team Report VIII. Public Comment and Discussion

IX. GreenStep Cities Program

* Items requiring discussion may be removed from the Consent Agenda **Denotes action may be taken

http://www.eqb.state.mn.us/

http://www.eqb.state.mn.us/webcasts

X. Public Comment and Discussion

XI. Adjournment

520 Lafayette Road St. Paul, MN 55155-4194

MINNESOTA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY BOARD

Phone: 651-757-2873 Fax: 651-297-2343

www.eqb.state.mn.us

July 19, 2017

Meeting Location: MPCA Board Room St. Paul, Minnesota

1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

ANNOTATED AGENDA General This month’s meeting will take place in the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency board room at 520 Lafayette Road in St. Paul. The Environmental Quality Board (EQB or Board) meeting will be available via live webcast on July 19 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. You will be able to access the webcast on our website: www.eqb.state.mn.us/webcasts The Jupiter Parking Lot is for all day visitors and is located across from the Law Enforcement Center on Grove Street. The Blue Parking Lot is also available for all day visitors and is located off of University and Olive Streets. Public comment is taken on all agenda items. Time allocated for discussion is at the discretion of the Board Chair. I. *Adoption of Consent Agenda Proposed Agenda for July 19, 2017 Board Meeting June 8, 2017 Meeting Minutes June 14, 2017 Meeting Minutes II. Introductions

III. Chair’s Report IV. Executive Director’s Report Legislative Updates

* Items requiring discussion may be removed from the Consent Agenda **Denotes action may be taken

http://www.eqb.state.mn.us/

http://www.eqb.state.mn.us/webcasts

July 19, 2017 EQB Meeting Annotated Agenda Page 2

V. Paris Climate Agreement

Presenters: Dr. Roopali Phadke Professor of Environmental Studies Macalaster College [email protected] J. Drake Hamilton Science Policy Director Fresh Energy [email protected] Eliza Clark Director of Sustainability and Environmental

Andersen Corporation [email protected]

David Thornton Assistant Commissioner Minnesota Pollution Control Agency [email protected]

Materials enclosed: · Point Source CO2-e Pollution in Minnesota (MPCA) · Minnesota Environment and Energy Report Card – Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Issue before the Board: Informational Item

Background: With the United States officially withdrawing from the Paris Climate Agreement, Minnesotans are looking to state and local governments for leadership on mitigating and adapting to a changing climate. Governor Mark Dayton announced that Minnesota would continue to move forward with greenhouse gas reduction goals and actions upon signing the US Climate Alliance. What does this mean for our state? What is Minnesota already working on and where do we go from here? Speakers will share their perspectives on how state and local governments as well as Minnesota institutions, non-profits, businesses and individuals can advance climate action.

VI. Public Comment and Discussion

VII. Interagency Climate Adaptation Team Report

Presenters: Paul Moss Climate Adaptation Coordinator

mailto:[email protected]




July 19, 2017 EQB Meeting Annotated Agenda Page 3

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) [email protected] Materials enclosed: · 2017 ICAT Report, “Adapting to Climate Change in Minnesota”

Issues before the Board: Informational Item

Background: The State of Minnesota has been working for the past several years on climate adaptation efforts in response to the changes in climate that Minnesota is experiencing and faces in the future. The Interagency Climate Adaptation Team (ICAT) was formed in 2009 to facilitate collaboration among state agencies. In May 2017, ICAT released the updated report, “Adapting to Climate Change in Minnesota” which describes observed and projected climate impacts in Minnesota, outlines Minnesota state agency activities that are helping to adapt to climate change, and provides recommendations for future state action and interagency collaboration.

VIII. Public Comment and Discussion

IX. GreenStep Cities Program A. Overview Presenters: Philipp Muessig

Program Coordinator – MN GreenStep Cities Minnesota Pollution Control Agency [email protected]

Kristin Mroz Local Government Coordinator Environmental Quality Board [email protected]

Materials enclosed: · GreenStep Cities Program Summary

Issue before the Board: Informational Item Background: The GreenStep Cities program began in 2010 following concept planning for a Green Star City program with the Legislature and with advisory and technical




March 15, 2017 EQB Meeting Annotated Agenda Page 4

committee input. The program has seen success in forming 29 Best Practices that encompass 170 actions. Minnesota cities can voluntarily become GreenStep Cities members and move up the ladder of accomplishments at their own pace, choosing actions that fit their community. The program operates through various partnerships including the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, Environmental Quality Board, Department of Commerce, League of Minnesota Cities, Great Plains Institute, Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs), Izaak Walton League, Urban Land Institute, and Preservation Alliance of Minnesota. The EQB became a formal partner in 2017, signing an MOU with the GreenStep Cities program. Through the success of this program, it is clear that Local Governments can make swift and impactful improvements to our environment and climate. This realization lends itself to full EQB support through a Local Government Coordinator position that can make connections between state and local government work on climate, energy, and sustainability efforts.

B. Results

Presenters: Philipp Muessig

Program Coordinator – MN GreenStep Cities Minnesota Pollution Control Agency [email protected]

Materials enclosed: · GreenStep Program Summary Data: 2017

Issues before the Board: Informational Item Background: To date, the Green Step Cities program has 110 cities and 3 Tribal Nations. These cities and tribal communities are home to 42% of Minnesota’s population and include both big (pop: 290,000) and small (pop: 290) communities. They are also spread across both urban and rural Minnesota, with over 28% of the communities voting conservatively. The program has 3,259 action reports online from communities across the state. These actions include policy changes, educational approaches, and physical implementation projects. Recognition levels Steps 4 and 5 focus not on actions, but on metrics, calculating the impacts from multiple city actions taken.



C. Deliverables for EQB

Presenters: Kristin Mroz

Local Government Coordinator Environmental Quality Board [email protected] Issues before the Board: Informational Item

Background: The GreenStep Cities program is beneficial to the Environmental Quality Board as a means of a direct outreach tool for state agency work and collaboration between state, tribal, and local governments and the citizens they serve. Six agency Commissioners provide staff that directly work with the GreenStep Cities program as Technical Advisors, providing their expertise to local governments. All of the agencies provide technical support through the materials provided on the GreenStep Cities website offering support and guidance for the best practice actions. The EQB is able to use the GreenStep Cities platform specifically by including pollinator habitat improvement actions, 25 By 25 water quality improvement actions, and guidance on Environmental Review.

D. Next Steps for GreenStep

Presenters:

Philipp Muessig Program Coordinator – MN GreenStep Cities Minnesota Pollution Control Agency [email protected] Jonee Kulman Brigham, AIA, LEED AP O+M, IonE Fellow Senior Research Fellow Institute on the Environment, University of Minnesota [email protected] Kristin Mroz Local Government Coordinator Environmental Quality Board [email protected]






Materials enclosed: · GreenStep Schools Executive Summary Overview · GreenStep Family of Programs Issues before the Board: Informational Item Background: Strategic Plan The GreenStep Cities Steering Committee strives to improve the program by expanding partnerships, resources, and program outcomes. The GreenStep Cities Strategic Plan outlines the relationships between partners and each partner’s specific duties. Currently, GreenStep Cities staff are taking a deeper dive with current GreenStep Cities to take swift and concrete actions. Partnerships such as the MPCA GreenCorps program, RETAP, and MnTAP help our GreenStep Cities execute the actions beyond the low hanging fruit. Furthermore, collaborating with the Regional Indicators Initiative allows our cities to measure their work and use baseline data to set specific goals. GreenStep Schools Through a MPCA Environmental Assistance grant, the University of Minnesota Institute on the Environment developed research into a model for a GreenStep Schools program. Similar to the GreenStep Cities program, this voluntary K-12 program would enlist School Districts or individual schools to take sustainable actions and receive recognition for their work. A GreenStep Schools program would include outcomes for reduced environmental impacts and costs, improved health and wellness, and effective environmental and sustainability education. With 517 school districts, 3780 public schools, and 466 private schools across the state, this program could have a profound impact for our future generations. GreenStep Others The GreenStep program has proven itself to be an effective and low-cost opportunity to challenge, assist, and recognize cities for achieving sustainability outcomes. Do Minnesota’s state agencies have interest in expanding the GreenStep program to include: Minnesota Tribal Governments, Counties and Townships; Businesses, Utilities, Farms; or Faith Organizations?

X. Public Comment and Discussion XI. Adjournment

MINNESOTA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY BOARD MEETING MINUTES

Thursday June 8, 2017 Cargill Building, University of Minnesota

1500 Gortner Avenue, St. Paul

EQB Members Present: Dave Frederickson, John Saxhaug, Charlie Zelle, Tom Landwehr, Julie Goehring, Dr. Ed Ehlinger, Gerald VanAmburg, Shawntera Hardy, Matt Massman, John Linc Stine EQB Members Absent: Adam Duininck, Tom Moibi, Kristin Eide-Tollefson, Mike Rothman, Kate Knuth Staff Present: Will Seuffert, Claudia Hochstein, Erik Dahl, Mark Riegel, Katie Pratt, Kristin Mroz-Risse I. Adoption of Consent Agenda and Minutes

II. Introductions III. Presentation of the State Agency Pollinator Report

Claudia Hochstein provided background information on the 2017 State Agency Pollinator Report and distributed copies to EQB members.

IV. A Year in the Life of a Commercial Beekeeper Presenters: Dan Whitney and Mark Sundberg, Minnesota Honey Producers’ Association Dan Whitney and Mark Sundberg provided a photographic overview of a year in their respective honey businesses and discussed some of the challenges associated with commercial beekeeping. They answered questions from the EQB members and Governor’s Committee on Pollinator Protection members.

V. Pollinator Research and Needs in Minnesota

Presenters: Wendy Caldwell, Dan Cariveau, Bob Koch, Emilie Snell-Rood, and Marla Spivak from the University of Minnesota Each presenter offered a brief overview of their research activities and their perspective on our state’s greatest pollinator-related research needs. The panel then responded to questions posed from the EQB members, Governor’s Committee on Pollinator Protection, and audience members.

The audio recording of the meeting is the official record and can be found at this link: ftp://files.pca.state.mn.us/pub/EQB_Board/

ftp://files.pca.state.mn.us/pub/EQB_Board/

MINNESOTA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY BOARD MEETING MINUTES

Thursday June 14, 2017 5:30-8:00 p.m.

Waseca Community Conference and Training Room 303 S. State Street -Waseca, Minnesota

EQB Members Present: Dave Frederickson, John Saxhaug, Tom Landwehr, Julie Goehring, Gerald VanAmburg, Paul Allwood in for Dr. Ed Ehlinger, Tom Moibi, Kristin Eide-Tollefson, Bill Grant for Mike Rothman EQB Members Absent: Adam Duininck, Mike Rothman, Kate Knuth, Dr. Ed Ehlinger, John Linc Stine, Shawntera Hardy, Charlie Zelle, Matt Massman Staff Present: Will Seuffert, Claudia Hochstein, Kristin Mroz-Risse I. Adoption of Consent Agenda and Minutes

II. Introductions

III. Chairs Report None.

IV. Executive Directors Report

Will Seuffert talked about upcoming meeting schedule and offsite commitments.

V. Climate Trends Presenters: Pete Boulay, State Climatology Office, MN DNR Boulay discussed the climate trends in the state of Minnesota and specially the Waseca area during the fall flooding of 2016.

VI. Flooding Overview

Presenters: Mark Duchene, City Engineer, City of Waseca and Sheriff Brad Milbrath, Waseca County Sheriff Duchene discussed the city’s storm water system and the lack of infrastructure and upgrades they have in place to combat intense rainfall events such as throughout 2016. Duchene discussed the steps the city has taken thus far and the challenging decisions it must face with the city’s budget knowing they need $36 million for all of the needed updates. Sheriff Milbrath discussed the county’s ditch system, problem locations for emergency vehicle access due to road flooding, and the relationships needed during a time of crisis between the county, city, and state staff.

VII. Waseca Emergency Response Presenters: Nancy Lageson, Former Emergency Management Director, Waseca County and Jen Nelson, Angela Brown, and Wayne Lamoreaux, MN HSEM

Lageson provided an overview of the county emergency management operations following the rain event in Waseca County. HSEM staff discussed the $14 million damage of homes and how they work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on reimbursements for residential, commercial, and municipal costs.

VIII. Climate Adaptation and Recovery Presenters: Nancy Lageson, Former Emergency Management Director, Waseca County; Scott Reiten and Ashley Aukes, Region 9 Development Commission; Paul Moss, MPCA Lageson detailed the work of the Waseca County Long Term Recovery Committee to date, including the support and service they provided to the community. Reiten and Aukes discussed the Region Nine Development Commission’s recently completed “South Central Minnesota Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment & Adaptation Plan,” which provides a detailed overview of the area and the affects climate change may have on its local communities. Moss gave a brief overview of the recent release of the Interagency Climate Adaptation Team’s report, outlining specific climate change affects across the state and provides suggestions for adaptation strategies. Moss will provide a more detailed overview at the July 19 EQB meeting.

The video/audio recording of the meeting is the official record and can be found at this link: ftp://files.pca.state.mn.us/pub/EQB_Board/

ftp://files.pca.state.mn.us/pub/EQB_Board/

p-gen4-07c

AdaptingtoClimateChangeinMinnesota

2017ReportoftheInteragencyClimateAdaptationTeam

May2017

AdaptingtoClimateChangeinMinnesota May2017

ReportcoordinatorPaulMoss,MinnesotaPollutionControlAgency(InteragencyClimateAdaptationTeamCoordinator)

ReportcontributorsDavidBell,MinnesotaDepartmentofHealthKennethBlumenfeld,StateClimatologyOffice,MinnesotaDepartmentofNaturalResourcesAnnaHenderson,MinnesotaEnvironmentalQualityBoard(formerposition)LindaHenning,MetropolitanCouncilKariHowe,MinnesotaDepartmentofEmploymentandEconomicDevelopmentKarenJensen,MetropolitanCouncilWayneLamoreaux,MinnesotaDepartmentofPublicSafety-DivisionofHomelandSecurityandEmergencyManagementValerieMcClannahan,MinnesotaDepartmentofNaturalResourcesKevinMcDonald,MinnesotaPollutionControlAgencyLauraMillberg,MinnesotaPollutionControlAgencyJenniferNelson,MinnesotaDepartmentofPublicSafety-DivisionofHomelandSecurityandEmergencyManagementRobertPatton,MinnesotaDepartmentofAgricultureJoshuaPennington,MinnesotaDepartmentofMilitaryAffairsSharonPfeifer,MinnesotaDepartmentofNaturalResourcesKatiePratt,MinnesotaEnvironmentalQualityBoardKristinRaab,MinnesotaDepartmentofHealthAliceRemillard,MinnesotaDepartmentofCorrectionsDougRenier,MinnesotaDepartmentofCommerceKatieRetka,MinnesotaDepartmentofMilitaryAffairsTimothySexton,MinnesotaDepartmentofTransportationWillSeuffert,MinnesotaEnvironmentalQualityBoardDanShaw,MinnesotaBoardofWaterandSoilResourcesBrianTimerson,MinnesotaPollutionControlAgencyDeniseWilson,MinnesotaDepartmentofAdministrationEmilyZiring,MinnesotaStateCollegesandUniversities

EditingTheresaGaffey,MinnesotaPollutionControlAgency

Thisreportisavailableonlineatwww.pca.state.mn.usandinalternativeformatsuponrequest.Contact:651-296-6300|800-657-3864|Oruseyourpreferredrelayservice.|[email protected]:p-gen4-07c


Summary................................................................................................................................1

Minnesota’sclimatebackground............................................................................................2

ClimateobservationsandtrendsinMinnesota:Whathaschangedandwhathasnot?.........................2ProjectedclimatechangesinMinnesota................................................................................9

Continuedrapidlossofcoldweatherextremesandenhancementofextremeprecipitation................9Morehotdayslikelyandmoredroughtpossible...................................................................................10Otherhazards.........................................................................................................................................11

ImpactsofclimatechangeinMinnesota................................................................................12

Increasingtemperatureandextremeheat............................................................................................12Airquality...............................................................................................................................................13Drought..................................................................................................................................................14Extremeweatherevents........................................................................................................................14Changingseasonalityandlongertermecologicalchanges....................................................................16

Connectionbetweenclimateadaptationandmitigation.......................................................17

Minnesotastateagencyresponsestoclimateimpacts..........................................................18

MinnesotaDepartmentofAgriculture...................................................................................................18MinnesotaDepartmentofCommerce...................................................................................................21MinnesotaDepartmentofHealth..........................................................................................................23MinnesotaDepartmentofMilitaryAffairs.............................................................................................27MinnesotaDepartmentofNaturalResources.......................................................................................29MinnesotaEnvironmentalQualityBoard...............................................................................................34MinnesotaPollutionControlAgency.....................................................................................................36MinnesotaDepartmentofPublicSafety,DivisionofHomelandSecurityandEmergencyManagement................................................................................................................................................................44MinnesotaDepartmentofTransportation.............................................................................................45MinnesotaBoardofWaterandSoilResources......................................................................................50MetropolitanCouncil.............................................................................................................................52

Statewideclimateadaptationindicators...............................................................................57

Climateadaptationplanningbystateagencies,localunitsofgovernmentandtribalgovernments....58Disruptionstothepowergrid................................................................................................................58Emergencydepartmentdataforheat-relatedhealthimpacts..............................................................59Inflationadjusteddamagesfromextremeweather..............................................................................60Canopycoverofurbanandcommunityforests.....................................................................................61

Recommendationsforaction................................................................................................62

Resources..............................................................................................................................64


SummaryClimatechangeisalreadyoccurringinMinnesotaanditsimpactsareaffectingourstate’senvironment,economy,andcommunities.Minnesotastategovernmentisconcernedabouttheimpactsofachangingclimateonournaturalresources,economy,health,andqualityoflife,andistakingactiontoaddresstheseemergingchallenges.Workonclimatechangecanbecategorizedintotwoareas:adaptationandmitigation.Climateadaptation,thefocusofthisreport,isdefinedasdevelopingandimplementingstrategies,initiatives,andmeasurestohelphumanandnaturalsystemsprepareforandaddressclimatechangeimpacts.Stateagenciesareworkingtoadapttoachangingclimateandmanageitsrisksbybuildingamoreresilientstate.Climatechangemitigationemphasizesreducinggreenhousegasemissionswiththegoaloflimitingthemagnitudeorprogressionofclimatechange.Minnesotastategovernmenthasanumberofpoliciesandlawsinplacethathavehelpedusmakesignificantprogresstowardourgreenhousegasreductiongoals,includingthe2007NextGenerationEnergyAct.Thesectionofthisreport,ClimateAdaptationandMitigation,outlineshowthesetwoapproachesarecomplementarytoeachother.

This2017InteragencyClimateAdaptationTeam(ICAT)reportupdatespreviousreportsfromthisteam,andrepresentsacontinuingandevolvingstepinaplanningprocessbyMinnesotastategovernment.ThisrevisedreporthighlightsstepstakenbystateagenciessincethepreviousICATreportin2013toadapttoachangingclimate,reducerisksandimpacts,andincreasetheresilienceofourcommunities.

SinceJuly2009,MinnesotastateagencieshavebeencollaboratingonclimateadaptationeffortsthroughICAT.ICATcurrentlyincludesrepresentativesfromthefollowingMinnesotastatedepartmentsandagencies:Administration,Agriculture,Commerce(DivisionofEnergyResources),Corrections,EmploymentandEconomicDevelopment,EnvironmentalQualityBoard,Health,MilitaryAffairs,NaturalResources(includingtheStateClimatologyOffice),PollutionControl,PublicSafety(DivisionofHomelandSecurityandEmergencyManagement),Transportation,WaterandSoilResources,aswellastheMetropolitanCouncilandMinnesotaStateCollegesandUniversities.

ICATpreparedapreliminaryreportinAugust2010,AdaptingtoClimateChangeinMinnesota,whichwasfollowedupwitha2013reportofthesametitle.This2017reportupdatesandexpandsonthe2013document.Thepurposeofthisupdatedreportisto:

• FurtherdescribeobservedandprojectedclimateimpactsinMinnesota.• OutlineMinnesotastateagencyactivitiesthatarehelpingtoadapttoclimatechange.• Providerecommendationsforfuturestateactionandinteragencycollaboration.

Complementarytothisinteragencyeffortwithinstategovernment,UniversityofMinnesotaExtensionandtheUniversityofMinnesota’sWaterResourcesCentercoordinatetheMinnesotaClimateAdaptationPartnership(MCAP),whichbringstogetherfederalandstateagencies,organizations,andindividualsstatewidewithaninterestinclimateadaptation.MCAPservesasavaluablenetworkingandeducationalresourcetoconnectandeducateprofessionalsworkingintheclimateadaptationfieldandsponsorsastatewideclimateadaptationconference.Thisyear,insteadofastandaloneconference,theMinnesotaconferencehasbeenintegratedintotheNationalAdaptationForuminSaintPaulonMay9-11,2017.

Minnesotaisoneofagrowingnumberofstategovernmentsworkingtoaddressclimateadaptation.AwiderangeofadaptationplanningactivitiesinotherstatesaredescribedontheGeorgetownClimateCenter’swebsiteathttp://www.georgetownclimate.org/adaptation/plans.htmlandtheCenterforClimateandEnergySolutions’websiteathttps://www.c2es.org/us-states-regions/policy-maps/adaptation.


Minnesota’sclimatebackgroundMinnesota’spositionnearthecenterofNorthAmerica,halfwaybetweentheEquatorandtheNorthPole,subjectsustoanexceptionalvarietyofweather.Duringthecourseofasingleyear,mostMinnesotanswillexperienceblindingsnow,bitterwindchills,howlingwinds,poundingthunderstorms,torrentialrains,andheatwaves,aswellasdozensofbrightandsunnydays.GiventhehighvariabilitythatweexpectfromMinnesota’sclimate,itcanbedifficulttodiscernwhere,when,andhowclimaticconditionshavechangedinourstate.

Theconditions,however,havechangedrapidly,andanoverwhelmingbaseofscientificevidenceprojectsthatMinnesota’sclimatewillseeadditionalsignificantchangesthroughtheendofthe21st

century.Overthelastseveraldecades,thestatehasexperiencedsubstantialwarmingduringwinterandatnight,withincreasedprecipitationthroughouttheyear,oftenfromlargerandmorefrequentheavyrainfallevents.Thesechangesalonehavedamagedbuildingsandinfrastructure,limitedrecreationalopportunities,alteredourgrowingseasons,impactednaturalresources,andaffectedtheconditionsoflakes,rivers,wetlands,andourgroundwateraquifersthatprovidewaterfordrinkingandirrigation.TheyearsanddecadesaheadinMinnesotawillbringevenwarmerwintersandnights,andevenlargerrainfalls,inadditiontootherclimaticchangesnotyetexperiencedinthestate.

ClimateobservationsandtrendsinMinnesota:Whathaschangedandwhathasnot?In2014,theU.S.GlobalChangeResearchProgramcompleteditsthirdNationalClimateAssessment.ThiscomprehensivescientificreviewofthestateofclimatechangesciencedemonstratedthattheU.S.isalreadyseeingincreasingtemperatures,largerrainfallswithincreasedflash-flooding,heaviersnowstorms,moresevereheatwaves,andworseningdroughtconditionsinsomeareas.WithinparticularregionsoftheU.S.,someoftheseobservedchangesaremoreintense,somearelessintense,andsomearenegligibleornotyetoccurring.

BoththesciencesummarizedintheNationalClimateAssessmentandhigh-qualityclimaticdatashowthatinMinnesotaandtheMidwest,risingtemperatureshavebeendrivenbyadramaticwarmingofwinterandalsonights,withboththefrequencyandtheseverityofextremecoldconditionsdecliningrapidly.Annualprecipitationincreaseshavebeenpunctuatedbymorefrequentandmoreintenseheavyrainfallevents.Theheaviestsnowstormshavealsobecomelarger,evenaswinterhaswarmed(seeFigure1).

SeveralotherchangesnotedelsewhereintheU.S.andworldhavenotyetbeenobservedinMinnesota.Forinstance,summerhightemperatureshavenotincreasedinseveraldecades,andheatwaveshavenotworsenedwhencomparedtohistoricalpatterns.DroughtsinMinnesotaalsohaveshownnolong-termincreaseinmagnitude,duration,orgeographiccoverage.Tornadoes,largehail,anddamagingthunderstormwindsaredifficulttocomparehistoricallybutshowacomplextendencytowardmore“outbreaks”consistingofmultipleeventsatatime,thoughnoincreasesinoverallnumbersorseverity.


Figure1

SnapshotofobservedtrendsamongcommonweatherhazardsinMinnesota,andconfidencethatthosehazardsarechanginginresponsetoclimatechange.Graphicbasedoninformationfrom2014NationalClimateAssessmentanddataanalyzedbytheMinnesotaDNRStateClimatologyOffice.

ObservedwarminginMinnesotaMinnesota’swarmingiswellunderway,withannualtemperaturesincreasingatanaveragerateofnearlyaquarterdegreeFahrenheit(F)perdecadesince1895.Muchofthetotalwarming,however,hasbeenconcentratedinthemostrecentseveraldecades,withwarmingratesaveragingnearlyahalfadegreeperdecadesince1970.Thethreemostrecent10-yearperiods(through2015)havebeenbyfarthewarmestonrecord.Boththelong-termandrecentratesofwarminginMinnesotaarefasterthannationalandglobaltrends.


Figure2

Minnesotaannualtemperaturecomparisonsbetweenconsecutive10-yearperiodsandthe1895-1960average(blackline).CourtesyofMinnesotaStateClimatologyOffice.DatafromNationalCentersforEnvironmentalInformation(http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/cag/time-series).

ColdweatherwarmingManypeoplearesurprisedtolearnthatmuchoftheobservedtemperatureincreaseinMinnesotahasnotresultedfrommorewarmweather,butinsteadfrommajorreductionsincoolandcoldweather.ThemajorityofMinnesota’swarminghastakenplacewhereandwhenit’susuallythecoldest—namelyduringwinter,atnight,andespeciallyinthenorthernpartsofthestate.

Ourstateisrenownedforitsseverewinters,buttheseinparticularhavebeenlesscommoninrecentdecades,ascoldweatherextremeshavebecomerare.Simplyput,wedon’tgetascoldasweusedto,anditisnowincreasinglycommonforMinnesotacommunitiestofailtoreachformerlycommon“coldweatherbenchmarks.”

Forexample,ofthe50wintersfrom1944-45through1993-94,onlysixfailedtoproduceareadingof-40°FatanofficialweatherobservingsiteinMinnesota.Bycontrast,nineofthelast22wintershavefailedtodoso,meaningthatitisnowoverthreetimesmorelikelythatMinnesotawillnotseea-40°readingthanitwashistorically.AlthoughsomeMinnesotansviewanywarmingduringwinterasamajorimprovement,therealityisthatwehavealreadybeguntoseedetrimentalimpactsonournaturalresourcesandavailabilityofpopularwinterrecreationalactivitiessuchasicefishingandskiing.

Althoughit’smostnoticeableinwinter,this“coldweatherwarming”isaffectingthelowesttemperaturesofeachofourseasons,andaccountsforthemajorityofourobservedannualwarming.Summerhasindeedgottenwarmer,especiallyinthepastfewdecades,butthiswarminghasbeenobservedalmostentirelyduringthenight,whendailyminimumtemperaturesarerecorded.Summer


hightemperaturesareactuallyfallingslightlyinthesouthernpartsofMinnesota.Winterlowtemperatures,ontheotherhand,havebeenwarmingdramaticallyacrosstheentirestate,andespeciallyinthenorth(seeFigure3).Thegeographicandseasonalpatternsofobservedwarmingareconsistentwithchangesexpectedfromincreasedatmosphericgreenhousegases,becausethosegasestrapheatescapingfromtheearth,andthemajorityofheatescapeswhenthereislittleornoincomingsunlight—duringwinterandatnight.

Figure3

Comparisonsoftotalchangebetween1895and2015using30-yearaveragingperiods,forannualaveragetemperature,winterlowtemperature,andsummerhightemperaturesoverthenorthern,central,andsouthernportionsofthestate.Valueswereobtainedbysubtractingtheaverageofthefirst30yearsofrecord(1895-1924)fromtheaverageofthelast30yearsofrecord(1986-2015).Eachregionisablendofthreeclimaticdivisions,asdefinedbytheNationalCentersforEnvironmentalInformation(https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/monitoring-references/maps/us-climate-divisions.php),whichisalsothesourceforthedivisionalclimatedataused(http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/cag/time-series).MapspreparedbyMinnesotaStateClimatologyOffice.

IncreasedprecipitationHighertemperaturesgloballyhaveevaporatedmoresurfaceandoceanwaterintotheatmosphere,whichinturnhasprovidedmorepotentialmoistureforprecipitatingweathersystems.InMinnesota,theresulthasbeenincreasedprecipitation,withannualtotalsincreasingatanaveragerateofjustoveraquarterinchperdecadestatewidesince1895(seeFigure4).

Thisprecipitationincreaseisfoundinallseasons,butspringandsummerarebecomingwetteratfasterratesthanfallandwinter.Whereastemperatureincreaseshavebeengreatestinthenorthernpartsofthestate,precipitationincreaseshavebeenwelldistributedgeographically,andhavesomewhatfavoredsouthernMinnesota,whichhasbetteraccesstomoisturefromtheGulfofMexico,andismorefrequentlynearthe“low-leveljet”airflow(arelativelyfast-movingzoneofwindsintheloweratmosphere)thatinfluencesprecipitationproduction.


Figure4

Statewideaverageannualprecipitation,1895-2015.The1895-2015trend(soliddarkgreenline)isbasedonlinearstatisticaltechniquesanddoesnotimplyanexactdecade-by-decadeprecipitationincrease.Source:NationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration(NOAA)ClimateataGlance(http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/cag/)

HeavyrainfallandunprecedentedextremesHeavyrainfalleventsinMinnesotaarealreadybecominglargerandmorecommon,andhavebeencontributingtoanincreasingshareofannualprecipitationinMinnesota.Forinstance,thestatehas40dailyweatherobservingsiteswhoserecordsstretchback100years.One-inchrainfallsatthesesiteshavebeenupto26%morefrequentduringthepast40yearsthanthe1916-1960average.Thesingleheaviestrainfallamountrecordedamongthose40siteseachyearhasincreasedbynearlyaninchsince1916,andthesingleheaviestrainfallamountrecordedper10-yearintervalhasroughlydoubled(fromjustoverfiveinchestojustover10inches)duringthatsameperiod(seeFigure5).

ResearchspecifictotheUpperMidwestindicatesthatthephysicalmechanismssupportingheavyrainfalleventsinMinnesotaarelikelytohavebegunintensifyinginresponsetoclimatechange.Thisresearchalsoshowsthatthesemajoreventsmaybetakingplaceearlierduringthegrowingseasonthanthehistoricalaverage.Thus,inadditiontoincreasesinthefrequencyandintensityofheavyrainfall,itsseasonaltimingmaybeexpandingacrossthecalendar.


Figure5

Changesinthefrequencyofone-inchrainfallsrelativetothe1916-1960average(verticalbars),from40long-termstationsinMinnesota.Alsoshownarethe10-yearaverage(lowerdottedline,rightaxis)and10-yearmaximumvalues(uppersolidline,rightaxis)oftheheaviestsinglerainfallamountrecordedeachyearatanyofthe40stations.Notethatthe10-yearmaximumvaluehasdoubledfromjustoverfiveinchesatthebeginningoftherecord,tojustover10inchesattheendoftherecord.CourtesyofMinnesotaStateClimatologyOffice.

Inadditiontoincreasesinthefrequencyandmagnitudeofheavyrain,Minnesotahasalsoseenadramaticincreaseinlarge-coverageflashfloodseventsinrecentyears.Sincetheyear2000,thestatehashadsevencatastrophic“mega-rainevents”—whenatleastsixinchesofrainfallsonanareagreaterthan1,000squaremiles.The30yearsfrom1970through1999sawonlyfoursuchstorms,and2016becamethefirstyearonrecordwithmorethanone.Incidentally,themega-rainssince2000haveincludedthelargest,earliest,andlatestonrecord,suggestingthatweareseeingnotjustanintensification,butalsoalengtheningofourheavyandextremerainfallseason.

NoknownchangeintornadoesandsevereconvectivestormsTornadoes,straight-linewinds,andlargehailarearegularpartofMinnesota’swarm-seasonclimate,anddonotappeartobeworseninginresponsetoclimatechange.Unfortunately,seriousstudyoftrendsamongthesehazardsislimitedbyinconsistenttrackingandmeasurementovertime.


Sincethe1990s,personalelectronics,socialmedia,improvedforecasting,andspottertrainingprogramshaveallledtoincreasedreportingofsmallandgenerallyweaktornadoes.Minnesotahasnot,however,seenanincreaseindamagingtornadoesratedF1orgreater(EF-1orgreaterbeginningin2007;seeFigure6).Thenumberofdayswithdamagingtornadoeshasnotincreasedeither,andtheseobservationsareconsistentwiththosereportedaroundtheU.S.inthe2014NationalClimateAssessment.Thus,atpresent,thereisnoindicationthatclimatechangeisaffectingthecharacterofMinnesota’ssevereweather.

Figure6

Annualcountsaveragedbydecade,fordamagingtornadoesinMinnesotaratedatleastF1andF2onthedamagescale.Thegraphshowsthatevenwithimproveddetectiontechnologiesandspottertraining,thenumberofthesetornadoeshasbeenrelativelystableovertime,indicatingthatthesesevereweatherhazardsarenotcurrentlyrespondingtoclimatechange.Source,NOAAStormPredictionCenter,andNationalCentersforEnvironmentalInformation.


ProjectedclimatechangesinMinnesota

ContinuedrapidlossofcoldweatherextremesandenhancementofextremeprecipitationIntheyearsanddecadesahead,winterwarmingandincreasedextremerainfallwillcontinuetobeMinnesota’stwoleadingsymptomsofclimatechange(seeFigure7).

Figure7

SnapshotofprojectedandexpectedtrendsamongcommonweatherhazardsinMinnesota,andconfidencethatthosehazardswillchange(further)throughtheyear2099inresponsetoclimatechange.Graphicbasedoninformationfrom2014NationalClimateAssessment,anddataanalyzedbytheMinnesotaDNRStateClimatologyOffice.

Greenhousegasconcentrationswillcontinuerisingthroughthecentury,andtheair’sabilitytotrapheatfromtheearth’ssurfacewillincreaseaccordingly.Asaresult,winters,andcoldconditionsinparticular,willcontinuewarmingwellbeyondhistoricalbounds.Continuedwarmingoftheatmospherewillevaporateevenmorewaterintotheair,furtherlimitingtheamountofcoolingMinnesotawillbeabletoachieveatnightandduringthewinter.Thisincreasedwatervaporwillalsoenhanceprecipitatingweathersystems,continuingthetrendtowardmore—andlarger—heavyrainfallevents(seeFigure8).Minnesotacanexpectunprecedentedrainfalleventsduringtheremainderofthe21stcentury.


Figure8

Projectedchangesbymid-centuryinnumberofdaysannuallywithheavyrainfall,definedastheupper2%ofdailyprecipitationforthe1971-2000climateperiod.Leftimageisthe“ensemble”ormodelaverageforaloweremissionsscenario.Therightimageisthesame,butforahigheremissionsscenario.Imagesderivedfromoutputusedforthe2014NationalClimateAssessment,courtesyofGLISA(GreatLakesIntegratedScience+Assessments).

MorehotdayslikelyandmoredroughtpossibleClimatemodelsusedinthe2014NationalClimateAssessmentprojectthatMinnesotawillhaveagreatertendencytowardextremeheat,especiallybythemiddleofthe21stcentury.Eventhelower-emissionsscenariosleadtosignificantlymorehotdaysthanMinnesotaexperiencespresently(seeFigure9).

Thisprojectedincreaseisalikelyoutgrowthofthewarmerwinters,whichwillprovidewarmerbaselineconditionsduringtransitionintosummer,makingitmucheasiertoattainextremesofheat.

ThefuturedroughtsituationinMinnesotaislessclearandappearstodependonhowmuchgreenhousegasconcentrationsincreasebymid-century(seeFigure10).

Themajorityofmodelsusedforthe2014NationalClimateAssessmentindicatethatalthoughdroughtwillremainapartofMinnesota’sclimate,thestatewillcontinuegrowingwetterthroughthecentury.Inlower-emissionsscenarios,thesemodelsprojectnosignificantchangestatewideinthenumberofconsecutivelydrydaysbetweenprecipitationevents—indicatingthatclimatechangewillnotsignificantlyincreasedroughtlikelihoodinagivenyear.

Figure9

Projectedchangesbymid-centuryinnumberofdaysannuallywithhightemperaturesabove90°F,relativetothe1971-2000climateperiod.Projectionusesthe“ensemble”ormodelaverageforaloweremissionsscenario.Imagederivedfromoutputusedforthe2014NationalClimateAssessment,courtesyofGLISA(GreatLakesIntegratedScience+Assessments).


Whenthesesamemodelsarerunwithhigheremissionsscenarios,however,theydepictMinnesotabecomingmorepronetodryperiods.Combinedwithdramaticincreasesinhotdays,thesedryperiodswouldincreaseMinnesota’sshort-term,andpossiblyevenlong-termdroughtrisk,suggestingthatdroughtindeedcouldbecomeworseasaresultofclimatechange.

Figure10

Projectedchangesbymid-centuryinannualaveragenumberofdrydaysbetweenprecipitationevents.Moreconsecutivedrydayswouldsuggestgreaterpotentialforatleastshort-termdrought.Notethatloweremissionsscenario(left)yieldsnonetchangestatewide,whilehigheremissionsresultinanearlystatewideincrease.Bothimagesshowthe“ensemble”ormodelaveragesgivenemissionsscenarios.Imagesderivedfromoutputusedforthe2014NationalClimateAssessment,courtesyofGLISA(GreatLakesIntegratedScience+Assessments).

OtherhazardsThescienceisunclearaboutwhatwillhappentothefrequencyandseverityoftornadoes,damagingthunderstorms,andicestormsinMinnesota.ItisclearthatMinnesotawillcontinuetoexperienceallofthesethroughoutthecentury,thoughresearchsuggeststheirfrequenciesmaydecrease.Tornadoesanddamagingthunderstormhazardsmaybecomemoreconcentratedonfewerdays,indicatingthepotentialformore“outbreaks,”evenmajorones,intheyearsanddecadesahead.However,thebodyofresearchintothesehazardsremainsquitelimited,andprojectionsoffuturetrendswillchangeasmoreresearchiscompleted.


ImpactsofclimatechangeinMinnesotaTheobservedmeasurementsandfutureprojectionsdescribedbytheNationalClimateAssessmentandtheMinnesotaStateClimatologyOfficeprovideinsightintoclimatetrendsthatareimpactingMinnesotanowaswellasthoseanticipatedinthefuture.Complicatingthevariedimpactsofclimatechangeisthatthesechangesalsointeractwithandreinforceeachother.Forexample,droughtandheatmaybothcontributetowildfires,whichmayinturnleadtochangesinplantandanimalpopulationsaswellasotherecologicalshifts.Extremeprecipitationmayincreaseflooding,alongwiththepotentialforrunofforcombined-seweroverflowandcontaminationofrecreationalanddrinkingwatersources,whichmayalreadybeinshortsupplyduetodrought.Inaddition,climatechangewillamplifytheeffectsofexistingpublichealthandenvironmentalchallenges,suchasimpairedairquality,lossofwildlifehabitat,invasivespecies,andlimitationstocleanwatersupplies.

Asinformedbyclimatedataandtrends,Minnesotastateagenciesareidentifyingsignificantcurrentandfutureclimatechangeimpacts.Theseimpacts,includingvariableandconsiderablechangesintemperatureandprecipitation,areexpectedtohavesubstantialeffectsonpublichealth,communityinfrastructure,ecosystemhealth,environmentalquality,andnaturalresource-basedeconomies.

ThefollowingdescriptionssummarizesomecurrentlyobservedandanticipatedimpactsofclimatechangebyICATmemberagencies.

IncreasingtemperatureandextremeheatClimatedatafortheMidwestshowobservedincreasesinaveragetemperatures.Projectedtemperaturesareexpectedtorisesignificantlybymid-century,includinganincreaseinparticularlyhotdays.Extremeheataffectshumanandanimalhealth,agriculture,andnaturalandconstructedinfrastructure.

Extremeheateventsarelinkedtoarangeofillnesses,evendeath,andcanexacerbatepre-existingchronicconditionssuchascardiovascular,respiratory,liver,andneurologicaldiseases,endocrinedisorders,andrenaldiseaseorfailure.Populationswhoaremostvulnerabletoextremeheatincludepersonsover65orunderfiveyearsold;livingalone;livinginabuildingorinstitutionwithoutair-conditioning,orresidingonthetopmostfloorofabuilding;andwithanincomeatorbelowthepovertyline.Peoplewhoareexposedtoheatbecauseofrecreationalactivitiesorjob-relatedactivitiesalsoaremorevulnerable,includingathletes,constructionworkers,andlandscape/agriculturalworkers.

IncreasingtemperaturesalsoimpactMinnesota’sagriculturalindustry.Agricultureishighlydependentonspecificclimateconditions.Asaresultofincreasingtemperature,cropproductionareasmayshifttonewregionsofthestatewherethetemperaturerangeforgrowthandyieldofthosecropsisoptimalunlessnewclimate-adaptedvarietiesaredevelopedandutilized.

AccordingtotheNationalClimateAssessment,theMidwestgrowingseasonhaslengthenedbyalmosttwoweekssince1950dueinlargeparttoearliertimingofthelastspringfreeze.Thistrendisexpectedtocontinue.Whilealongergrowingseasonmayincreasetotalcropproduction,otherclimatechanges,suchasincreasedcroplossesandsoilerosionfrommorefrequentandintensestorms,andincreasesinpestsandinvasivespecies,couldoutweighthisbenefit.

Theremayalsobehigherlivestocklossesduringperiodsofextremeheatandhumidity.Lossesoflivestockfromextremeheatleadtoachallengeindisposalofanimalcarcasses.ThereislimitedrenderingcapacityinMinnesotaavailableforlivestockdisposal.Ifarenderingfacilityisnotavailable,lostlivestockmustbecompostedonanimpervioussurface.Iflossesarehigh,findinganimpervioussurfacelargeenoughisachallenge.Inanattempttoadapttoincreasedtemperatures,livestockareasinMinnesotamayshiftfarthernorth.Asaresultofnewlivestockareasandtheresultingmanure


production,farmersmaytransitiontomanure-basedfertilizerapplicationsinareaswheretraditionallyonlycommercialfertilizershavebeenused,withaccompanyingenvironmentaladvantagesanddisadvantages.

Increasingairtemperaturesarecausingwatertemperaturestorise,whichimpactsaquaticspeciesaswellashumanhealth.Increasedwatertemperatureresultsindecreaseddissolvedoxygenandgreatervulnerabilityofaquaticorganismstowaterpollution.Shiftsofpopulationoffishspeciesfromcoldwatertowarmwaterspeciesareexpectedtooccurandarealreadybeingobserved.

Increasedwatertemperaturesalsomaycontributetotheoccurrenceofharmfulalgalblooms,includingpotentiallytoxicalgae,inlakesandwaterwayswherepeopleswim,fish,orengageinotherrecreationalactivities.Harmfulalgalbloomscancausepainfulskinirritationandupperrespiratoryhealthproblemsaswellasdeathofpetsandotheranimals.

Permittedwastewatertreatmentpondsexperiencingearlierice-offfacegreaterproblemsmeetingeffluentlimitsaswarmertemperaturesincreasealgalgrowth,whichaffectstotalsuspendedsolids,pH,andcarbonaceousbiochemicaloxygendemand.Inaddition,warmertemperaturesinsummerimpactthebiologicalprocessesinwastewatertreatmentplants,ashighertemperaturesincreasebacterialreactionratesandthedensityofsettledsludge.

Additionally,extremeheatcancauseroadstobuckleanddamageothertransportationinfrastructuresuchasraillines.Thismayincreaseexpendituresforrepairs,dangerousconditionsfordrivers,andpotentialfortraveldisruption.

AirqualityExtremeheatisoftenassociatedwithdegradationofairquality.Climatechangemayaffectairqualitydirectlythroughchangesinseasonalclimateandweather,andindirectlythroughdriversofenergyuseandresultingemissions.Climatechangeisexpectedtohaveasubstantialeffectonambientparticulatematterandozone.

Increasedtemperaturescan:

• Increasepollutionfromfossilfuelcombustion.• Increasetheemissionofvolatileorganiccompoundsfromplantsandvegetationthatcontribute

totheformationofozone.• Increaseformationofground-levelozone.

Highertemperaturescontributetoincreasedpollutionfromfossilfuelcombustionasaresultofelectricitygeneratedtorunairconditioning.Extremeheatmayresultindeploymentofstationarygeneratorstoreducepeakpowerloads,whichfurtherincreasesairpollution.Also,extremeheatanddroughtcanleadtomorewildfires,whichcreatemoreparticulatematter.

Increasedground-levelozonepollutionandparticulatematterassociatedwithwarmertemperaturesraisestheriskofpotentialnonattainmentofairqualitystandardsandincreasedairqualityalertsinMinnesota.Theurbanheatislandeffectcanalsocontributetodecreasesinairqualitythroughincreasedozoneformationandgreateruseofairconditioning.(Thiseffectoccursbecauseurbanareashavelesscoolingvegetation,moreheat-absorbingbuildingsandconcretesurfaces,andgreatercombustionoffuelsthansurroundingruralareas,therebytypicallyleadingtohighertemperaturesincities.)

Exposuretoparticulatemattercanaggravateillnesses,suchaschronicobstructivepulmonarydisease(COPD),cardiovasculardisease,asthma,anddevelopmentofchroniclungdisease.Itisalsoassociatedwithcardiopulmonarymortality.OzoneexposurecanexacerbateasthmaandCOPD.


Airpollutiondisproportionatelyimpactscertainvulnerablepopulations.Forexample,higherozonelevelsmaycauseasthmainchildren.Peoplewithrespiratoryandcardiovasculardiseasesandtheelderlyareparticularlysusceptibletoincreasesinparticulatematterandozonepollution.

DroughtAlthoughitisnotyetclearhowclimatechangewillimpacttheoccurrenceofdroughtinMinnesota,droughtanddryperiodswillcontinuetooccurregularlyinthestate.Droughtimpactsavailabilityofwaterforcommunityandindustrialpurposes,aswellasfornaturalecosystems.Lackofwaterhassignificanteconomicandecologicaleffects.

Droughtimpactsthequalityofsoil,includingtheneedtomanageclaysoilsthatshrinkwhendryandcancreatecracksthatareapossibleconduitforgroundwatercontamination.Droughtalsohasimpactsonthequalityofcropyields,andleadstoincreaseddemandforirrigation,puttingadditionalpressureonalreadystrainedaquifersandcontributingtogroundwaterdepletion.Droughtadverselyaffectscropmoistureandgrowth,andthereforemaythreatenMinnesota’slocalfoodproductionandaccess(includingavailabilityandpotentialpriceincreases),aswellasfeedandpasturesuppliesforlivestock.

Droughthassignificantimpactsonwaterquality.Forexample,streamflowloweredbydroughtreducesdilutionofwaterpollutants,negativelyaffectingfishandotheraquaticorganisms.

Dischargeperiodsforstabilizationpondtypewastewatertreatmentsystemsmayneedtobemodifiedtominimizeimpactsonreceivingwatersatlowerflows.Lowstreamflowdataforwatersreceivingcontinuousdischargesfrommechanicalfacilitiesmayneedtobemodifiedtoensurethatthereceivingsurfacewaterqualityismaintainedforthelocaldesignateduses.Droughtperiodsincreasethevalueofexploringopportunitiesfortreatedwastewaterreuse.

Droughthasimplicationsforairqualityandhumanhealth.Driersoil/fieldconditionsmaycausemoreairborneparticulatematterorincreasedfrequencyoflowairqualityinruralareas.Prolongeddroughtincreasesriskofwildfiresthatincreaseparticulatematterandreduceairquality,impactingchildren,theelderly,andthosewitharangeofchronichealthconditions.Wildfiresalsocandirectlycauseinjuriesordeathsfromsmokeinhalationandburns.Ruralpopulationsdependentonlocalfoodsources(suchasfish,wildlife,andwildplants)alsoexperiencehealthimpactsfromdroughtwhenthesesourcesarethreatened.

Droughtimpactscertaincontaminatedsiteremediationpractices,suchasphytoremediation(usingplantstoremediateorstabilizehazardouswastes).Irrigationmaybenecessaryifdrought-tolerantplantsarenotused.

ExtremeweathereventsBothobservedclimatedataaswellasfutureprojectionsindicateincreasesinveryheavyprecipitationinMinnesota.Heavyprecipitationevents,storms,andfloodinghavesignificantimpactsonMinnesota’scommunitiesandecosystems.Theseincludeeffectsonwaterandsoilresources,agriculture,drainageinfrastructure,humanhealth,stormwatermanagement,wastewatertreatment,solidwastemanagement,andemergencyresponse.

Morefrequent,heavier,orlonger-durationrainfalleventswillincreasesoilerosionandrunoff,therebyincreasingdepositionofsedimentandcontaminantsinwaterbodies.ClimatechangehasthepotentialtoimpactthequalityofwaterandsoilresourcesthroughoutMinnesota.


MorefrequentextremeweathereventswillimpactMinnesotaagriculture,resultinginincreasedrunoffoffertilizers,pesticides,andsedimentparticularlyfromagriculturalfieldsthatdonothavebestmanagementpracticesinplacesuchasbuffers,grassedwaterways,andcropresidueleftonthefields.Fieldfloodingcanresult.Therearealsocoststothestatefordisasterassistance(e.g.,theMinnesotaDepartmentofAgriculture’sfloodassistanceprograms)whichwilllikelyincreaseasaresultofclimatechange.

Damagetofeedcropsfromextremeweatheralsoaffectslivestock.Greaterprecipitationincreaseschallengesforapplyingmanureinanenvironmentallysafemannertofields.Floodingcanalsocauseoverflowofmanurestoragebasinswhichhaveinadequatestoragecapacity,leadingtocontaminationofnearbywaterbodiesanddeathofaquaticorganisms.

Increasedextremeweathereventsputadditionalpressureonthestate’sdrainageinfrastructure.Thereisapotentialformoreerosionwithinolderdrainagesystemsthatdonothaveadequateoutletsorerosioncontrolsinplace.

Flashfloodingfromextremeprecipitationcandamagethebuiltenvironment,affectingcommercialandresidentialbuildings,roads,parks,andstormwaterinfrastructure.Water-saturatedsoilscandestabilizebluffs,trees,andutilitypoles.

Floodingfromincreasedaveragerainfall,rapidsnowmelt,orlocalized,heavyrainfallcanleadtohumanhealthimpactssuchas:

• Persistentmoldproblemsinhomesandbusinesses.• Injury(particularlyduetounsafestructuresandclean-upefforts).• Damagedhealthcareandmedicalfacilities.• Stressandmentalillnessduetotrauma,relocation,andloss.• Deathfromdrowning.

Floodingcontaminatesfreshwatersourceswithuntreatedorpartiallytreatedsewageandcancontaminatefoodcropswithwastefromnearbylivestockorwildanimals,threateningfoodsafety.Increasedwaterflowfromafloodmaydisruptmunicipalwatersuppliesandsewagetreatmentfacilities,aswellasprivatewellsandon-sitesepticsystems.Floodingofprivatewellsisaparticularlyseriouspublichealthconcern,giventhat,ingeneral,wellownersdonottestortreattheirwateraccordingtohealth-protectiveguidelines.

Changesinamount,frequency,andintensityofprecipitationimpactstormwatermanagement,potentiallyexceedingthedesigncapacityofstormwatertreatmentstructuresorimpactingfuturestructuredesign.Extremeweatheralsoaddstochallengesinmonitoringwaterquality.

Higherpeakintensityrainfalleventsmayresultinbypassofwastewatertreatmentfacilitiesorsanitaryseweroverflows,leadingtothereleaseofminimallytreatedoruntreatedwastewater.Wastewaterfacilitystaffneedtotrackchangesinfloodplainelevationsaspeakrainfallintensitiesincreasesothattreatmentfacilityinfrastructurecanbeprotectedduringpossiblefloodevents.

Thereisincreasedneedtoproperlycleanupandmanagesolidwaste,hazardousmaterials,anddebrisafterfloods,storms,andothernaturaldisasters.Morefrequentoccurrencesofnaturaldisastersincreasethedemandfordisasterremediationandcoordinationefforts,aswellasfortrainedstafftomeetthesespecificneeds.Designstandardsforpermittedwastemanagementfacilitiesarelinkedbyruletocertainmagnitudesofstormevents(i.e.,25-or100-yearstorms),andasstormseverityincreases,thisimpactsfacilityneeds.Thereisaccelerateduseofexistingwastemanagementcapacityduetomorewasteanddebrisresultingfromextremeweather.

Increasingnumbersoffloodsandstormsraisetheneedforstatesupportandresponse.Agreaterdemandforresponsefromlimitedstaffreducestimeavailableforinternalandexternalpreparedness,


includingpartneringandpreparingwithlocalunitsofgovernment,stateagencies,andindustry.Infrastructuredamageduetofloodingandstorms,suchasfloodedroadsandpowerandcommunicationtechnologyoutages,candisruptemergencyresponseinaffectedareas,whichalsohashealthimpacts.

Populationsparticularlyvulnerabletofloodingandextremeweathereventsincludetheelderlyandthosewithouttheabilitytoevacuatewhennecessary.Thoselivinginfloodplainsorotherareassubjecttofloodingareatparticularrisk.

ChangingseasonalityandlongertermecologicalchangesClimatedataindicatesignificantincreasesinthegrowingseason,atrendthatisanticipatedtocontinueincomingdecades.Thisimpactsourstate’shealth,economy,andecosystems.

Climatechangehasanimpactonvector-borne/zoonoticdiseases.Temperatureandprecipitationarekeyfactorsthatinfluencetheabundanceofvectormosquitoesandticks.Forexample,thesurvivalofblackleggedticks(vectorofLymediseaseandseveralotherdiseases)isenhancedduringwinterswithheavysnowfall,whichprovidesinsulationfromcoldtemperatures.Warmerandwetterspringandsummerseasonsprovidetickswithsufficientheatandmoisturetoallowforincreasedsurvivabilityandfeedingactivity.Additionally,warmerclimatesfacilitateintroductionofinvasivespeciesofinsectsandanimalsthatcarrydiseasesnotnormallyobservedinMinnesota.

Warmertemperaturescanlengthentheallergyseason,increasepotencyofallergens,andintroduceplantswithmoreallergenicpollen.PollenandmoldcausemildtosevereallergicreactionsinmanyMinnesotans,especiallythosealreadyburdenedwithasthmaorotherrespiratoryailments.Allergenscaninteractwithairpollutiontoamplifytheirindividualeffects.

Changingclimatealsoimpactsendemicandexoticpests,weeds,anddiseasesthataffectcropsandlivestock.Manyweeds,pests,andfungithriveunderwarmertemperatures,wetterclimates,andincreasedcarbondioxidelevels.Specifically,therearethreatsfrominvasivespeciessuchasemeraldashborerandgypsymoth.SomepestsfromotherareasthattravelbywindaremovingclosertoMinnesota—cutworms,aphids,soybeanrust,wheatrust,cornearworm,andleafhoppers.Certainpestsareabletoproducemoregenerationsperyearduetolongersummers,suchasEuropeancornborerandbrownmarmoratedstinkbug.

Climatechangewillleadtochangesinagriculturalseasonsandplantingdates.ThismaypresentanopportunityinMinnesota,inthatlongergrowingseasonscouldpotentiallyincreaseproductivityinsomeregions; however,heavierprecipitationcandelayplantingdatesorevendrowncrops.Changingseasonsmayalsoleadtothepotentialopportunityorneedfordevelopingorusingdifferentplantvarieties.Climatechangeamplifiestheeffectsofexistingdisturbances,suchasinvasivespecies,insectpestsanddiseases,andland-usechangeinagriculture.

Climatechangehasbroad,sweepingimpactsonecosystemsthatimpactfish,game,andwildplantpopulationswhichareusedforfood.Thismayhaveaparticularlynegativeimpactonrural,AmericanIndian,andotherpopulationgroupsrelyingmoreheavilyonsubsistencehuntingandwildplants.

ClimatechangealsoisalteringMinnesota’snaturallandsandwatersandtheusestheysustain.Examplesinclude:

• Lakes,rivers,andstreams:Likelyclimate-inducedimpactsincludeearlierice-outdates;lessseasonalicecover;increasesinwarmwaterfishspeciesanddecreasesincoldwaterfishspecies,suchasciscoes;increasedgrowthofalgaeanddiatomblooms;warmersurfacewatertemperaturesinlakes;andincreasedvariabilityintheseasonalandannualflowvolumeinMinnesotawatersheds.Climatechangealsoreducestheeffectivenessoffishandmacroinvertebrateindicatorscurrentlyusedasbiomonitorstoevaluatetheecologicalhealthofwaterbodies.


• Wetlands:Climatechangethreatenstoalterphysical,chemical,andbiologicalprocesses.Underprojectedwarmingscenarios,prairiepotholewetlandscouldshrinkandshiftoptimalwaterfowlbreedingconditionsintowesternMinnesota.WithoutmajorrestorationeffortstoreplacedrainedwetlandsinMinnesota,theprairiepothole“duckfactory”couldlargelydisappearbytheendofthecentury.Peatlands,whicharecurrentlyimportantcarbonsinks,maybegintodryout,causingthemtoaddcarbonemissionsintotheatmosphere.

• Forests:Projectedclimatechangeswillshifttreeranges,andsomecommonnortherntreespeciessuchasspruceandfirmaybecomerareinMinnesota.Dependingonwhetherprecipitationratesincreaseordecrease,Minnesota’sforestscouldeithertransitiontocommunitiesdominatedbycentralhardwoodtreessuchasoaksandhickories,orforestscouldshrinkandbereplacedbygrasslands.Inbothscenarios,climatechangewilllikelyexacerbateandintensifytheeffectsofinvasiveplantspecies,insectpests,andtreediseases.

• Prairies:Thelessthan1%ofremainingnativeprairiewilllikelybecomedrier,causingdeclinesinmesicandwetprairieplantandwildlifespecies.ProliferationofinvasivespecieswillmakeitdifficultforMinnesota’sprairiestoexpandandtakeadvantageofpotentialnewhabitatconditionscreatedbyawarmingclimate.Intensivehumanmanagement,suchasprescribedburnsandseeding,willbenecessarytofacilitatenewnativeprairieestablishment.

ConnectionbetweenclimateadaptationandmitigationWhilethisreportfocusesonclimateadaptationandnotclimatemitigation,itisimportanttoacknowledgeandsummarizesomeoftheconnectionsbetweenthesetwocomplementaryapproaches.Withoutseriousclimatemitigation,humansandnaturalsystemswillfinditincreasinglydifficult,ifnotimpossible,toadapt.Moreoftenthanonemightthink,thereisanoverlapbetweenclimateadaptationandmitigation,meaningthatthesameactioncanachievebothgoals.

Figure11helpstoillustratethatclimateadaptationandmitigationcanoverlapinsomecases.

Thechartbelow(seeFigure12)providesseveralexamplesofthoseoverlappingclimateadaptationresponsesthatalsocanreduceemissionsofgreenhousegases.

Figure11


Figure12

Climateadaptationpractice Climateadaptationbenefits Climatemitigationbenefits

Urbanandcommunitytrees • Providescoolingthatincreasesresiliencetoextremeheatandtheurbanheatislandeffect

• Increasesresiliencetoheavyrainfallbyinterceptionofraindropsbyleavesandabsorptionofwaterbyroots

• Shadefromtreescanreduceenergyuseforairconditioninginthesummer

• Actsasawindbreakthatcanblockcoldwinterwinds,reducingenergyneededforheating

Waterconservation • Increasesresiliencetodroughtbyreducingneedforanduseofgroundwaterandsurfacewater

• Reducesneedforenergyusedtopurifyandtransportwater

Whiteroofsandgreenroofs • Increasesresiliencetoextremeheat

• Reducesneedforairconditioninginthesummer

Homeinsulation • Increasesresiliencetoextremeheatandcold

• Reducesenergyneededforcoolingandheating

Inadditiontothoseclimateadaptationactionsthatcontributetoclimatemitigation,manyotheradaptationactionsresultinarangeofotherbenefits,whichcanincludeincreasedwaterandairquality,habitatforwildlife,publicsafety,andeconomicbenefits.Someexamplesofclimateadaptationactivitiesthatcanleadtomultiplebenefitsincludewetlandrestoration,soilconservation/erosionprevention,preservingorrestoringnaturalopenspaceonfloodplains,wastewaterrecyclingandreuse,sustainableagriculture,andstormwatermanagementbestpractices.

MinnesotastateagencyresponsestoclimateimpactsBasedonstateagencyunderstandingofclimatetrends,agenciesparticipatinginICATareimplementingprogramstoaddressclimateimpactsasdescribedbelow.

MinnesotaDepartmentofAgricultureAgricultureishighlydependentonspecificclimateconditionsand,consequently,issensitivetotheeffectsofclimatechange.Astheclimatecontinuestochange,agriculturalproducerswillneedtocontinuallyadapt.Theywillneedtorespondtoandrebuildfromdisasterswhentheyoccur.Moregenerally,theywillneedtoadapttheirpest,nutrient,andwatermanagement,conservationpractices,croprotationsandareasofcropproduction,andcrop/livestockmanagement.

TheMinnesotaDepartmentofAgriculture(MDA)hasmanyresourcestohelpproducersrespondandadapttoclimatechangeimpacts,whichareoutlinedbelow.Theyincludedisasterassistanceforcatastrophicevents,pestanddiseasemanagement,conservationandwatermanagement,andresearchanddemonstrationfordevelopingproductionsystemsthataremoreresilienttoclimatechange.


ProvidingassistancerelatedtoextremeweathereventsMDAoffersassistancetoproducerswhoareexperiencingdamageandlossestocrops,livestock,andstructures;potentialwater,soil,food,orothercontamination,andothercatastrophiceventsthatcanresultfromclimatechange.TheMDAwebpage,FoodandAgEmergencyResponse(www.mda.state.mn.us/about/aer)providescomprehensiveinformationonMDA’sandotheragencies’resources.Therearethreetypesofassistance:financial,emergencyresponse/cleanup,andadvisory.

Financialassistanceforlossesofcrops,livestock,orbuildingsincludes:

• DisasterRecoveryLoanProgram:Thesefundsareavailableat0%interesttofarmersforexpensesnotcoveredbyinsurance,includingcleanup,repair,orreplacementoffarmstructuresandsepticandwatersystems,aswellasreplacementofseed,othercropinputs,feed,andlivestock,whendamagedbyhighwinds,hail,tornado,floods,orexcessiverainfall.www.mda.state.mn.us/grants/disaster/disasterloan

• AgriculturalImprovementLoanProgram:Thisloanprogramcanprovide3.25%financingforbuildingsthathavebeenlosttofloodingandarebeingreplacedwithnewbuildings.www.mda.state.mn.us/grants/loans/improvement

• RestructureIILoanProgram:Farmerscanusethisloanprogramtorefinancetheirdebtat3.50%,providingthemwithfundstohelprepairflooddamageofanagriculturalnature.www.mda.state.mn.us/grants/loans/restructure2

• LivestockInvestmentGrantProgram:Producerswhosufferalossduetoadverseconditionsmayapplyforthesefundstohelpcoverupto10%ofthecostforthepurchase,construction,orimprovementofbuildingsorfacilitiesfortheproductionoflivestock,andthepurchaseoffencingaswellasfeedingandwastemanagementequipment.www.mda.state.mn.us/grants/grants/livestockinvestment

Emergencyresponseandcleanupassistanceincludes:

• 24hourAgriculturalChemicalEmergencyResponse:AllnewreportsofincidentsaredirectedtotheMDAemergencyresponse(spills)team,whichisresponsiblefordirectingandassistingwiththeresponseandcleanupofemergencyincidents.www.mda.state.mn.us/chemicals/spills/emergresponse.aspx

• AgriculturalChemicalResponseandReimbursementAccount(ACRRA):ACRRAreimbursescostsincurredincleaningupagriculturalchemical(pesticideandfertilizer)incidents.www.mda.state.mn.us/grants/disaster/acrra

• EmergencyResponsetoAmmoniaSpillswebsite:Thissiteisdesignedasaneducationalaidforthosewhorespondto,preparefor,orwhowillbeinchargewhenaspillofanhydrousammoniaoccurs.www.mda.state.mn.us/chemicals/spills/ammoniaspills

• FoodSafetyRapidResponseTeam:Consistingoftechnicalexpertsinfoodmanufacturing,foodinspection,microbiologyandepidemiology,thisteamcanverifythesafetyofstoredfoodproductsafteradisaster.www.mda.state.mn.us/about/aer/foodsafety

Advisoryassistanceincludes:

• FloodPreventionandRecoveryInformationforFarmersandRanchers:Beforeandafteraflood,MDAprovidesrecommendationsandguidanceformovinglivestock,storedgrain,fooditems,agriculturalinputs,seed,andothermaterialsoutofharm’sway.Ourfieldpersonnelalsoworkwithagriculturalchemicalfacilitiestostrengthensafeguardsaroundequipmentandstoragetankstopreventaccidentalreleaseofproduct.www.mda.state.mn.us/about/aer/flooding


• MinnesotaFarmerAssistanceNetwork(MFAN):MFANprovidesbusinessandfinancialguidanceatnocosttoMinnesotafarmersandfarmfamiliesfacingeconomichardship.www.mda.state.mn.us/about/mfan

• MinnesotaFarmAdvocates:FarmAdvocatesprovideone-on-oneassistanceforMinnesotafarmerswhofacecrisiscausedbyeitheranaturaldisasterorfinancialproblems.www.mda.state.mn.us/about/commissionersoffice/farmadvocates

PreventingandmanagingpestsanddiseaseAsweeds,insects,diseases,andotherpestsincrease,MDAhasresourcesfocusedonmanagingpests,andpreventing,detecting,andrespondingtoinvasiveinsects,diseases,andweeds.Programsinclude:

• IntegratedPestManagement(IPM)Program:TheIPMProgramdevelopsandimplementsstatewidestrategiesfortheincreaseduseofIPMtomanageestablishedpestsonprivateandstatemanagedlands.www.mda.state.mn.us/plants/pestmanagement/ipm

• PestDetectionandResponseUnit:ThePestDetectionandResponseUnitfocusesoninvasiveinsectsandplantdiseasesthatthreatenMinnesota’sforestsandcrops.Thisincludes:

o Prevention—pestriskassessmentstoevaluatethechancesthatapestwillbecomeestablishedinMinnesota,andeducatingthepubliconhowtoidentifyandreportinvasivepests.

o Earlydetection—fieldsurveysandinspection,andinnovativedetectioneffortssuchasthe“ArrestthePest”hotline.

o Rapidresponse—IfaninvasivepestisdetectedinMinnesota,MDAhasresponseplanstoquicklydeterminetheextentoftheinfestationandcontainingittolimitthespread.www.mda.state.mn.us/plants/pestmanagement/invasivesunit

• NoxiousandInvasiveWeedsProgram:TheNoxiousandInvasiveWeedTeamworkswithlocalgovernmentsandlandownerstoprotecttheenvironment,publichealth,publicroads,crops,livestock,orotherpropertyinMinnesotafromtheinjuriousimpactsofnoxiousandinvasiveweeds.www.mda.state.mn.us/plants/pestmanagement/weedcontrol

HelpingdevelopmoreresilientproductionsystemsandpracticesTheMDAprovidestechnicalassistance,conductsandsupportsresearchanddemonstrationprojects,andencouragesbestmanagementpracticestohelpfarmersandothersprotectandpreserveMinnesota’swaterresources.Improvedunderstandingandinnovationinwater-relatedissuescanalsohelpagriculturedealwithnewandfluctuatingconditionsofclimatechange.MDAprogramsinclude:

• CleanWaterResearchProgramidentifiesunderlyingprocessesthataffectwaterquality,evaluatestheeffectivenessofagriculturalbestmanagementpractices(BMPs),anddevelopstechnologiestotargetBMPstocriticalareasofthelandscape.www.mda.state.mn.us/protecting/cleanwaterfund/research

• On-FarmProjectsmonitortrendsovertime,anddemonstrateandevaluatemanagementpracticesunderconditionsthataretypicalinanarea.TheseincludeDiscoveryFarmsMinnesota.www.mda.state.mn.us/protecting/cleanwaterfund/onfarmprojects

• MinnesotaAgriculturalWaterQualityCertificationProgram(MAWQCP)isavoluntaryopportunityforfarmersandagriculturallandownerstotaketheleadinimplementingconservationpracticesthatprotectourwater.Thosewhoimplementandmaintainapprovedfarmmanagementpracticeswillbecertifiedandinturnobtainregulatorycertaintyforaperiodof10years.www.mda.state.mn.us/protecting/waterprotection/awqcprogram

• DrainageWaterManagement:TheMDAcollaborateswithotheragencies,localgovernments,academicinstitutions,andindustryorganizationstofosterinnovationindesigningandmanagingagriculturaldrainage(removalofexcesswaterfromfieldsthroughtheuseofditchesand


subsurfacepipe),includingtemporarystorage,tomaximizebenefitsandprotecttheenvironment.

• SustainableAgricultureDemonstrationGrants:Grantsareawardedtoindividualsorgroupsforon-farmsustainableagricultureresearchordemonstrationofpracticesthatpromoteenvironmentalstewardshipandconservationofresourcesaswellasimproveprofitabilityandqualityoflifeonfarmsandinruralareas.www.mda.state.mn.us/grants/grants/demogrant

Features(seephotosbelow)tostorewaterandallowinfiltrationareamongagriculturalwatermanagementpracticesthathelpreduceimpactsofextremeweathereventstofarmers,downstreamlandowners,andtheenvironment.

Constructedwetlandinforegroundprovidesadditionalwaterstoragecapacitytoreducefieldflooding,visibleinbackground.Photo:DustinBenes,MartinCountySWCD.

AdrainageimprovementprojectonBlueEarthCountyDitchNo.57(CD57)helpscontrolflowsandimprovewaterqualityofdrainagewaterfromagricultureandstormwaterfromtheCityofMapleton.Photo:ISGArchitecture,Engineering,Environmental,andPlanning.

MinnesotaDepartmentofCommerceTheMinnesotaDepartmentofCommerceplaysasignificantroleinmakingMinnesotamoreresilienttothethreatsposedbyourchangingclimate.Intheareaofclimateadaptation,Commercemaintainsthestate’senergyemergencyplan,coordinateswithMinnesota’sutilitiesonrestorationofserviceduringorafteremergencies,includingweather-inducedoutages,anddeploysaConsumerResponseTeamtoassistwithdisasterrecoverysituationsthroughitsInsuranceDivision.CommercehasbeenactivelycollaboratingwiththeNationalAssociationofInsuranceCommissionerstosurveyMinnesotainsurancecompaniesontheirpreparationforclimatechange.


Commerceservesastheleadentitytocoordinateresourcesandinformationamongstateagenciesthathaveresponsibilitiesformattersrelatedtoenergy.Climateadaptation-relatedactivitiesofthedepartmentinclude:

Energyreliability• Modellong-termenergyneedsunderchangingeconomicandenvironmentalconditions,

includingchangesinclimate.• Monitorutilities’generation,transmissionanddistributionplanstoassurethatenergyreliability

ismaintained.• Coordinateactivitieswithregionalandfederalagenciesresponsibleforassuringreliabilityinthe

electricitysector,suchastheMidwestIndependentSystemOperator(MISO),theMidwestReliabilityOrganization,andtheNorthAmericanElectricReliabilityOrganization.

• Monitorsuppliesofliquidfuels(petroleum,biofuels)toassurethatadequatesuppliesaremaintained.

Energyemergencyplanning• Createin-houseexpertiseatthestatelevelonenergyassuranceplanningandresiliency,

focusingoncriticalinfrastructureinterdependencies,cybersecurity,energysupplysystems,energydataanalysis,andcommunications.CommercehasstaffworkinginenergyassuranceplanningandCertifiedEmergencyManagement.

• CoordinateMinnesota’sutilitiesonrestorationofutilityserviceduringorafteraweather-relatedemergency.

• RefinetheexistingEnergyAssurancePlantoincorporateresponseactionstonewenergyportfolios.

• SmartGridtechnologies,cybersecurity,andemergingenergyissues,gatherdataondeliveredfuelsandupdatecontactlists.

• Reviseappropriatestatepolicies,procedures,andpracticestoreflecttheEnergyAssurancePlan.

• Developandinitiateprocessesormechanismsfortrackingtheduration,response,restoration,andrecoverytimeofenergysupplydisruptionevents.

• TrainappropriatepersonnelonenergyinfrastructureandsupplysystemsandthecontentandexecutionoftheEnergyAssurancePlan.

• Conductand/orparticipateinenergyemergencyexercises(intra-andinterstate)toevaluatetheeffectivenessoftheEnergyAssurancePlan.

Consumerresponseteam• Distributeinformation,answerquestions,workwithinsurancecompaniesonclaims.• Helpindividualsmakeinformeddecisionsafterastormdamagesahome,vehicle,orproperty.

Planninganddataanalysis• CoordinatewiththeMinnesotaPollutionControlAgencytoproduceareportongreenhousegas

emissiontrendseverytwoyears.• Evaluateimpactsofclimatechangeoninsuranceinvestmentsthroughparticipationonthe

NationalAssociationofInsuranceCommissioners’ClimateChangeandGlobalWarmingWorkingGroup.


• Signatoryto“Under2MOU”—SubnationalGlobalClimateLeadershipMemorandumofUnderstanding:Thepartiesagreetoshareinformationandexperienceonredesignofthepowersupplyandgrid,technicalsolutionsandadvancesinpromotinglarge-scaleswitchtorenewableenergyandtheintegrationofrenewableenergysources,actionsneededtoensuresecurityofsupply,andstrategiestopromoteenergyefficiency.

Energyefficiencyandrenewableenergy• AdministerthefederalWeatherizationAssistanceProgramtohelplow-incomefamiliesmake

theirhomesenergyefficient,whichcanincreaseadaptationtoextremetemperatures.• Assurethatelectricandnaturalgasutilitiesoffercost-effectiveenergyefficiencyprogramsfor

theircustomerswithagoalofreducingelectricusageby1.5%annually,whichcanhelptoaddresspeakelectricloadsinperiodsofextremeheat.

• NewstateinitiativessuchastheCommerce-administeredMadeinMinnesotaSolarEnergyIncentiveProgramandXcelEnergy’scommunitysolargardenprogramareexpandingsolarbusinessesinMinnesotaandcreatinglocaljobs.

• ParticipateinDepartmentofLaborandIndustry’sAdvisorycommitteethatadoptednewenergycodesforMinnesotain2015.

Casestudy:WeatherizationAssistanceProgramTheWeatherizationAssistanceProgram(WAP)providesfreehomeenergyupgradestoincome-eligiblehomeownersandrenterstohelpsaveenergyandensuretheirhomesarehealthyandsafe.WAPupgradeshelplow-incomeMinnesotanspermanentlyreducetheirenergybills.Eligibilityisforhouseholdsatorbelow200%ofthefederalpovertyincomeguidelines.FundedbytheU.S.DepartmentofEnergy,WAPisadministeredbytheMinnesotaDepartmentofCommerceincooperationwithanetworkof25localserviceproviders.

BenefittoMinnesotans:Minnesotaweatherizedabout2,200homesduringtheprogramyearJuly1,2014-June30,2015.Anannual30%reductioninenergybillscanbeachievedwhenfurnaceupgradesarecombinedwithinsulation,airleaksealing,andnewenergy-efficientappliances.

MinnesotaDepartmentofHealthMinnesotaisalreadyseeingimpactstopublichealthfromclimatechange.Whilethereareknown,effectivepublichealthresponsestomanyoftheseimpacts,thescope,timeline,andcomplexityofclimatechangechallengesareunprecedented.Criticalgapsremainintheresources,programs,and

Addingbattinsulationintheatticreducesheatlossandincreasesenergyefficiency.PhotofromtheMinnesotaDepartmentofCommerce


expertiseinMinnesota’spublichealthsystemtoaddresstheconsequencesofclimatechangeonpublichealth.

Figure13

Source:MinnesotaDepartmentofHealth

TheMinnesotaDepartmentofHealth(MDH)isrespondingtothesechallengesbyplanningandprovidinginformationandresourcestothepublic.TheMDHStrategicPlantoAdapttoClimateChangeoutlinesgoalsandobjectivesforMDHtoadaptandrespondtotheimpactsofclimatechange:http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/climatechange/data.html.DescriptionsoftheprogramsbelowhighlightsomeofMDH’sworktoprotectthepublicfromclimatechangeimpacts.

MinnesotaClimate&HealthProgramTheMinnesotaClimate&HealthProgramprovidesinformation,tools,trainings,andeducationtopublichealthprofessionalsandthepubliconthehealthimpactsofclimatechange.Belowisasummaryofinformationandtoolsavailabletothepublic.

• TheMinnesotaClimate&HealthProgram’swebsitecontainsinformationontopicsthatareinfluencedbyclimatechange:http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/climatechange/.Thewebsiteservesasacommunicationvehiclewiththepublicandalsoprovidesaccesstoresourcesand


tools.Theprogramalsomaintainsalistservofabout1,800subscribersandroutinelydistributestimelyandtopicalinformation.Jointhelistservbyvisitingthelinkabove.

• TheMinnesotaClimateandHealthProfileReport2015providesacomprehensiveassessmentofclimatechangeimpactsandpotentialhealthissuesspecifictoMinnesota:http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/climatechange/climate101.html.

• TheMinnesotaExtremeHeatToolkitcontainsmaterialsthatapublichealthplanneroremergencymanagercanusetoplanforextremeheat,includingadraftresponseplan:http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/climatechange/extremeheat.html#toolkit.Italsocontainsatipsheetonhowtostaycoolonahotday:http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/climatechange/docs/appendix_e.pdf.

• Climateandhealthtrainingmodulesprovideinformationontheeffectsofclimatechangeonseveraltopicareas:ClimateChangeandPublicHealth101;ExtremeHeatEvents;WaterQualityandQuantity;AirQuality;MentalHealth;andAgricultureandFoodSecurity:http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/climatechange/communication.html.

• TheHealthandClimatefilm,createdthroughapartnershipbetweentheTwinCitiesPublicTelevisionandMDH,examinesclimatechangeimpactsonthehealthofMinnesotans.Thefilmhighlightstheimpactofclimatechangeonpeople’sday-to-daylives,especiallythroughthelensesofsports,recreation,andfarming:http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/climatechange/climatevideo.html.

• TheMinnesotaClimateChangeVulnerabilityAssessment2014reviewsthegeographicoccurrenceofseveral“climatehazards:”extremeheat,airpollution,vector-bornedisease,flooding,anddrought.Thevulnerabilityassessmentmappedthelocationofpastclimatehazardsandpopulationsvulnerabletotheclimatehazards:http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/climatechange/data.html.

• TheMinnesotaHealthyPlanningTrainingandtheMinnesotaHealthyPlanningHow-ToGuidedescribecomprehensiveplanningstrategiesforcreatinghealthyandclimateresilientcommunities:http://www.health.state.mn.us/topics/places/plans.html.

• TheIncorporatingHealthandClimateChangeintotheMinnesotaEnvironmentalAssessmentWorksheet(EAW)reportprovidesinformationonhowwecanbetteraddresshealthandclimatechangeissuesduringMinnesota’senvironmentalreviewprocess:http://www.health.state.mn.us/topics/places/review.html.

MinnesotaEnvironmentalPublicHealthTrackingProgramTheMinnesotaEnvironmentalPublicHealthTrackingProgramprovidesenvironmentalhealthsurveillancedataonavarietyoftopicsrelatedtoclimatechangesuchasairquality,asthma,chronicobstructivepulmonarydisease,drinkingwaterquality,heartattacks,andheat-relatedillness.Heat-relatedillnessdata,forexample,arebeingusedtoinformeffortstoprotectvulnerablepopulationsfromextremeheatevents.LearnmoreaboutavailabledataatMDH’sdataportal:https://apps.health.state.mn.us/mndata/.

Vector-bornediseaseprogramMDH’sextensivevector-bornediseaseprogramperformsthefollowingactivitiesthatmayrelatetoclimatechange:

• Monitorsthenumberofcasesofeachvector-bornedisease(e.g.,mosquitoandtick-transmitteddisease)overtimeandspacewithinthestate.

• Collectsfieldsurveillancedata(e.g.,tickinfectionprevalencewithvariousdiseaseagents)todeterminehowvectordistributionandinfectionprevalencechangesovertimeandspace.


• Disseminatesdiseasepreventioninformationtothepublic,medicalproviders,high-riskgroups,andotherhealthagencies.

• Conductsvector-bornediseaseresearch.Inparticular,theprogramhaseffortstodescribeneworemergingdiseaseagents,changesinendemicdiseasepatterns,andtheburdenofvector-bornediseasesonsociety.

AsthmaProgramTheMDHAsthmaProgramhasbeeninvolvedinanumberofactivitiesrelatedtoclimatechangeandrespiratory/allergicdisease.

• ProgramstaffparticipatedintheCouncilofStateandTerritorialEpidemiologists(CSTE)ClimateChangeworkgroupthatdevelopedasuiteofindicatorsrelatedtoclimatechangehttp://www.cste.org/?page=EHIndicatorsClimate,includingapollenindicatorthatstatescanusetotrackchangesinthelengthofpollenseasons,pollenlevels,andpollentypesovertime.StaffcurrentlyserveontheCSTEAsthmaandAllergyworkgroupthatisworkingtodevelopanationalaeroallergen(pollenandoutdoormold)monitoringnetwork:http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.cste.org/resource/resmgr/2016PS/16_EH_01.pdf.

• Theprogramprovidestechnicalreviewsofmaterials,includingthoserelatedtoclimatechange,thatreferenceallergiesandasthma.

EmergencyPreparednessandResponsesectionTheMDHEmergencyPreparednessandResponsesectionhelpspreparepublichealthandhealthcareforalltypesofhazards,includingnaturaldisastersandweather-relatedincidents.Thesectionsupportslocalreadinessby:

• Providingtools,resources,andtrainingstolocalpublichealthdepartments,healthcare,andotherkeypartnerstodevelopemergencypreparednessandresponseplans.

• Designing,implementing,andevaluatingemergencypreparednessexerciseswithpartnersusingweather-relatedscenarios.

• Sharinginformation,creatingsituationalawareness,coordinatingresources,andprovidingriskcommunicationsintimesofanemergency.

MDHDrinkingWaterProtectionandWellManagementsectionsMDHDrinkingWaterProtectionandWellManagementstaffareactivelyengagedwiththeirregulatedcommunities,agencypartners,andlocalresourcestaffinhelpingtoaddresspotentialfuturechangesinamannerthatprotectshumanhealthandsafeguardsourdrinkingwatersources.Specifically,staffprovidetechnicalassistancetopublicwatersuppliersinplanningforsourcewaterprotection;evaluatinganddevelopingacontingencystrategyandlocalresponseintheeventofawatersupplydisruption;conductingassessmentandmonitoringofwaterquality;andsupportingimplementationofsourcewaterandwellheadprotectionplans.Theseactivitieswillresultinbetterpreparation,adaptation,andresiliencytotheimpactsofclimatechangeondrinkingwatersupplies.

About80%ofMinnesotansareprovidedwithdrinkingwaterintheirhomesbyapublicwatersupply.MDHpartnerswithpublicwatersupplierstoensuresafeandsufficientdrinkingwaterthroughaseriesofstrategicsafeguards.Watertreatmentchallengesarisingfromclimatechangeincludewaterqualitychanges(algal-relatedtasteandodorissues)thatrequireincreaseduseofgranular/poweractivatedcarbonandincreasedlevelsoftotalorganiccarbonduetoextremeflows,drought,andrunoff.MDHprovidestechnicalassistancetopublicwatersuppliersinordertoincreasetheirtechnical,financial,andadministrativecapacitytomanagechange.MDHstrengthenedtheresilienceofpublicwatersystemsbyhostingaworkshopontheMinnesotaWater/WastewaterAgencyResponseNetworkandbyprovidingtrainingonemergencypreparednessandincidentresponse.MDHalsoencouragesthedevelopmentof


greenwaterinfrastructurebyawardinggrantmoneythroughtheStateDrinkingWaterRevolvingFundLoanprogram.

In2016,MDHdevelopedanagency-wideStrategicPlantoAdapttoClimateChangetoincreasestatewideresilienceandpublichealthpreparednessthatcanbeaccessedathttp://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/climatechange/data.html.Anumberofimportantdrinkingwaterstrategieswereidentifiedtohelppublicwatersuppliersandprivatewellownersevaluateandprepareforpotentialimpactsofclimatechangebasedonpotentialregionalandlocalconditions.MDHDrinkingWaterProtectionstaffhaveformedanddevelopedaClimateChangeAdaptationTeamandchartertohelpcarryoutandimplementspecificstrategiestoprotectpublicsourcesofdrinkingwaterfrompotentialimpactsofclimatechange.

MinnesotaDepartmentofMilitaryAffairsTheDepartmentofMilitaryAffairs(DMA)servesundertheumbrellaoftheMinnesotaNationalGuard(MNNG)andcanbeusedbythegovernortoassistthestateduringdisastersandotherstateemergencies.TheimpactsofclimatechangepresentmajortransformationsinthemissionoftheMNNG.Diverseresponseactions,suchasassistinginwildlandfirefightingandprovidinglogisticalsupportinstemmingtheoutbreakofavianinfluenza,compeltheMNNGtofosteramoreresource-informedculturethatsupportsdecisionsandbehaviorsacrossalllevels,locations,anddomains.

Toprovidethesetrainedandreadyforces,theMNNGhasincorporatedthesustainableuseofresourcesandfacilitiesasavitalpartofmissionreadiness.MNNGisrespondingtoclimatechangeimpactsinthefollowingareas.

VigilantGuardexerciseIn2015,morethan1,400servicemembersfromtheMinnesota,Iowa,andWisconsinNationalGuardjoinedapproximately500participantsfromvariousstate,federal,andemergencyresponseagenciestocarryouttheVigilantGuardexerciseatthreetrainingsitesacrossthestate:Duluth,CampRipley,andSaintPaul.Theexercise,whichsimulatedmultipleweather-relateddisasterevents,testedtheMNNG’sabilitytorespondtolarge-scaleincidentsthatcouldaffectMinnesotans.TheVigilantGuardexercisealsoprovidedanopportunityfortheorganizationtobuildvaluableinteragencyrelationshipsandcoordinateresourceswithcivilianauthorities,responders,andothermilitaryunitsthatmightbeapartofafutureresponseeffort.

ClimatechangevulnerabilityassessmentsIn2015,theDMAcompletedavulnerabilityassessmentofallownedfacilitiesandinstallationstodeterminesusceptibilitytotheimpactsofclimatechange.Theseassessmentsidentifiedinstallationsatriskorpotentiallyatriskinthefutureandbegantheprocessofintegratingclimatechangeconsiderationsintoinstallationandorganizationallevelplans.

NetZeroinitiativeTheMNNGusesaNetZeroinitiativeasaholisticplanningstrategyfoundeduponlong-standingandemergingbestpracticestomanageenergy,water,andwasteatallfacilitiesandinstallations.Thisstrategyrecognizesthatbetterresourcemanagementcontributestomissioneffectivenessandmoreresilientinstallations.

EnergyresiliencyIn2016,TheMNNGpartneredwithitselectricutility,MinnesotaPower,toconstructautility-scale10-megawattsolarphotovoltaicpowerplantatCampRipleyTrainingCenter.Thissolararrayisownedand


operatedbyMinnesotaPowerandisconnectedtotheutilitygrid.TheMNNGwillpurchasetheelectricityproducedfromthearrayandisinvestingininfrastructurethatwillusethedistributedenergysystemsinamicrogridtechnologythatenablestheuseoftheonsiteenergysystemstosustaincriticalservicesduringpotentialutilityoutages.Thissystemwillalsoassistinmeetingbothorganizations’renewableenergyandgreenhousegasreductiongoals.

Abiomass-fueleddistrictheatingsystemisbeingdesignedthatwillprovideCampRipleyTrainingCenterwithasustainableandredundantheatingsystem.CampRipleyconsistsofmorethan53,000acresandpossessestheforestresourcecapacitytouseonsitebiomassfordistrictheatingandtodecreasedependenceonnon-renewablegas.

WaterconservationTheMNNGmaintainsanaggressiveapproachinconservingpotablewaterandreducingsurfacewaterandwastewaterdischarges.Areasthathavebeenaddressedinthepastyearincludestudyingtheimplementationofaleakdetectionsystemforwatermainvalvesthatwillenablequickrepair.Otheractivitiesincluderesearchingandimplementingmeasuresthatreducestormwaterrunoffandincreasetheamountofwaterreclamationprojectsforirrigationandvehiclewashingactivities.

CaseStudy:EnergyresiliencyatCampRipleyTrainingCenterTheMinnesotaNationalGuardispursuingNetZeroenergyatCampRipleyTrainingCenterbyproducingasmuchenergyonsiteasitconsumesoverthecourseofayear.Thiseffortincludesdevelopinginterconnectedloadsanddistributedenergyresourcesthatcanconnectanddisconnectfromtheprimarygrid,enablingcontinuousoperationswhilealsoprovidingresilientanddependableenergyinfrastructure,andsignificantlyreducingtheMNNG’scarbonfootprint.

FirstSolarthinfilmmoduleswereselectedforthe10-megawattsolarphotovoltaicpowerplant.Theseadvancedthinfilmmoduleshaveademonstratedperformanceadvantageoverconventionalcrystallinesiliconofupto10%moreenergyproductioneachyear.Source:MNNationalGuardPublicAffairsOffice

Constructionofthe10-megawattsolarphotovoltaicpowerplantspans62acresonaformergravelminingpitatCampRipleyTrainingCenter.Source:MNNationalGuardPublicAffairsOffice

PlannedimplementationoftheNetZeroenergystrategyincludesthreephases:

• PhaseOneconsistsofapublic-privatepartnershipwithCampRipley’selectricutilityprovider,MinnesotaPower,fortheconstructionofanonsite10-megawattsolarphotovoltaicpowerplant


withthecapacitytogeneratemoreelectricitythanisconsumedatCampRipleyinayears’time.MinnesotaPowerwillownandoperatethesolarphotovoltaicpowerplantandallelectricenergygeneratedwillfeedtheprimarygrid.Intheeventofagridoutage,controlswitcheswillredirecttheflowofelectricitytoCampRipley’selectricaldistributionsystem,providingthecapabilitytofunctioninislandmode,independentfromtheprimarygrid.

• PhaseTwobeganin2016withupgradestoelectricalsubstationsandinfrastructurethatincludesophisticatedcommunicationcontrolstodetectandcommunicatewithdistributedenergyloads,essentiallyservingasamicrogrid.

• PhaseThreeincludestheacquisitionofnaturalgas-orduel-fueledgeneratorstoworkinconjunctionwiththemicrogridandsolarphotovoltaicpowerplant.Opportunitiesforenergystoragearebeingconsideredandcloselymonitoredasnewtechnologybecomesavailable.

MinnesotaDepartmentofNaturalResourcesTheDepartmentofNaturalResourcestookabigstepontheissueofMinnesota’sclimatechangebyissuingOperationalOrder131(ClimateAdaptationandMitigationinNaturalResourcesManagement)inNovember2014.Thishigh-levelCommissioner’sdirectiverequiresallDNRdivisionstodevelopclimateguidanceandperformancemeasurestoassessinternalprogressontheintegrationofclimatedataandinformationintoprojects,programs,plans,communications,andtraining.TheguidancedocumentsdirectallDNRstafftoadapttheirworkwithclimatechangeinmind.

AsofAugust2016,threeofsixDNRdivisionshavecompletedtheirguidanceandhavebegunimplementationactivities.Progresshasalreadybeenmadeasaresultofthisoperationalorderandisreflectedinsomeofthedepartment-wideadaptationactionsbetween2013-2016highlightedbelow.

OperationsSupportDivision(OSD)Planninganddecisionsupport:

• OSDrepresentedtheagencyontheInteragencyClimateAdaptationTeamuntil2015.• OSDprovidesongoingplanning,logistical,andadministrativesupportandleadershiptothe

DNR’sinterdivisionalClimateandRenewableEnergySteeringTeam(CREST).

Managementactivities:

• OSDcollaboratedwithMinnesotaHomelandSecuritytocompleteamap-basedriskassessmentforDNRfacilities.

• AllDNRfacilitiesundergoingsignificantimprovementswereinformedbyhydraulicandhydrologicmodelsusingupdatedAtlas14datatodesignwatercontrolstructures(dams,culverts,etc.).Nativetreeandshrubspecificationsanddetailsalsoweremodifiedtoincreasetheprobabilityoflong-termsurvivalonDNRfacilities.

DivisionofEcologicalandWaterResources(EWR)Assessments:

• EWRcompletedacoarsevulnerabilityassessmentofits32managementprograms;sixprogramswerefoundtobe“highrisk.”Morein-depthinterviewsrevealedkeyneedstobemetforthesevulnerableprogramstoadaptasclimatechangeimpactsprogramresources.


Planninganddecisionsupport:

• ClimateadaptationguidanceforallEWRstaff,Divisionleadership,andstaffworkingineightfunctionalareaswasdevelopedin2015underDNR’sOperationalOrder#131anddisseminatedtostaffin2016.

• AnEWRClimateAdaptationImplementationteamhasbeenassignedtocarryouthighpriorityclimateadaptationactionsonbehalfoftheDivision.

• Minnesota’sWildlifeActionPlan2015-2025focusesonprioritizingconservationforSpeciesinGreatestConservationNeedwithinamappedWildlifeActionNetworkofterrestrialandaquatichabitatsthroughoutthestate.TheWildlifeActionNetworkfacilitatesadaptationtoclimatechangeandotherstressorsbyidentifyingcoreareaslargeenoughtocontainadiversityofhabitatsandconnectionstoallowforspeciesmovementsandtheflowofenergyandmaterials.

• TheDivisionparticipatesontheDNR’sCRESTtoimplementclimatechangeadaptationstrategiesacrossthedepartment.


• EWR’sLandUseUnithasincorporatedclimatechangeintoitsshorelandprotectioncoursestolocalgovernments.

• ClimatechangehasbeenincorporatedintoEWR’sannualfloodplaintrainingsforlocalgovernments,whichareofferedanaverageof10timesperyear.

• AdaptiveManagementPlansforspecificScientificandNaturalAreas(SNA’s)nowincludediscussionofanticipatedclimatechangeimpactsonthesite’snativeplantcommunitiesandotherresources(about10-15neworrevisedplansarepreparedperyeartoguideallsitemanagementwork).

• Anin-depthClimateChangeReviewwasdevelopedaspartofstaffparticipationintheU.S.FishandWildlifeService’sNationalConservationTrainingCenter’s(NCTC)ClimateAcademytobepartoftheplanforthenewBadouraJackPineWoodlandSNA;thismayserveasamodelforfutureSNAplans.

Monitoring:

• TheWaterMonitoringandSurveysUnithasexpandeditsgroundwaterlevelobservationwellnetworkby200wellsforatotalof1,030wellsthattrackgroundwater-surfacewaterinteractionandwillenablebettermanagementofthehydrologicsystem.

• TheWaterMonitoringandSurveysUnitadded11“realtime”weatherstationstoitsnetworkof40.Theunitalsocontinuestoenhanceitsstreamandlakegages anda 1,500-citizenscienceobservernetworkthatprovidesprecipitationdata.

• Along-termwetlandmonitoringprogramisinprogresstoidentifychangesinthenumberofwetlandsstatewideandclimatechangeimpactstowetlands.

• Along-termwetlandhydrologymonitoringprogramtofurtherhelpidentifyclimatechangeimpactsisintheplanningstage.

• ImplementationofaLegislative-CitizenCommissiononMinnesotaResourcesgrantbeginsJuly1,2016,todesignandtestastatewidesystemofvegetationmonitoringplotstodetectchangesinplantcommunitiesovertime.Twentypermanentmonitoringplotswereestablishedinthepeatlandstotrackchangesinthatsystemduetoclimaticconditionsandotherstressors.

• TheStateClimatologyOfficehasinstalledaweathermonitoringstationatSedanBrookScientificandNaturalArea(fourothersareinprogress)andawatermonitoringwellnesthasbeeninstalledatBadouraJackPineWoodlandSNA,intheheavilyirrigatedPinelandSandsarea.


Training,outreach,andcommunication:

• Sixty-sixEWRstaffattendedMinnesotaDNR’s2016ClimateChangein-service,day-longtraining.• FifteenEWRstaffparticipatedinthesix-monthClimateAcademyofferedbytheNational

ConservationTrainingCenterandsubmittedclimateadaptationprojectstoconcludethecourse.

DivisionofFishandWildlife(F&W)Researchandassessments:

• F&Wcontinuestomonitorepilimnetictemperaturesin24sentinellakesandassociatedfishcommunitysamplingaspartofitsSustainingLakesinaChangingEnvironment(SLICE)program.

• Mooseresearchcontinuestoinvestigatethecausesofadultandcalfmortality.• ResearchcontinuesontheexpansionofwarmwaterfishesinMinnesotalakesystems.• Preliminarylong-termmonitoringresearchhasbegunontheviabilityofsprucegrouse,aboreal

gamebirdthatisvulnerabletoclimatechange.• SoilmoistureandtemperaturemonitoringstationswereinstalledatRedLakeWildlife

ManagementAreatoinformfuturehabitatmanagementasclimatechanges.• MinnesotaDNRisanactivecollaboratoronaNortheastClimateScienceCenter-fundedresearch

projectthatisinvestigatingtheeffectsofclimateonlakeandstreamtemperaturesinMinnesota,Wisconsin,andMichigan.


• ClimateadaptationguidancewasdevelopedunderDNR’sOperationalOrder#131anddisseminatedtostaffwithdetailedguidanceonhowtoaddressclimatechangeinmanagementplans,technicalconsultations,infrastructure,landacquisition,andhabitatmanagement.

• AscenarioplanningprocessonNorthShoreFisheriesManagementwascompleted.• DNRFisheriesworkedwiththeColdwaterCoalition,amultiplestakeholdergroup,todevelopa

priorityofstreams/riversalongtheNorthShoreforrestorationandprotection.Resiliencytoclimatechangewasoneofthecriteriausedtodevelopthislist.

• DNRFisheriesbeganincorporatingclimatechangeintolakeandstreammanagementplans.


• TullibeeLakeWatershedStewardshipProject.CleanWaterFundswereusedbyDNRForestrytoworkwithprivateforestlandownersinthewatershedsoftullibeefishrefugelakes.

• TullibeeLakesgrantprogram.DNRFisheriesisworkingwithDNRForestryandtheLeechLakeAreaWatershedFoundationtoprotectprivateforestsinthewatershedsoffiveimportanttullibeerefugelakeswithconservationeasements.

• ImplementingactionplantomanageNorthShorestreamsystemsandwatershedstoincreaselong-termbenefitandprepareforpotentialproblems.

• HabitatmanagementonWildlifeManagementAreasisintegratingchangingseedmixes(e.g.,moremesicspecies),increasedwatermanagement,increasedmanagementtoaddresswoodyencroachment,phenologicalmonitoring,andanincreasedfocusonhabitatcomplexesinwetlandsystems.


• TheClimateChangeHandbookwasdevelopedandsharedwithinDNR.Itcontainsselectedinformationonclimatechangeeffectsonfish,wildlifeandecosystems;adaptation;mitigation;trainingopportunities;casestudies;recommended,peer-reviewedresources;andcontacts.


• F&Wstaffweregivenanoverviewandtrainingonclimateadaptationattwolargetrainingevents(WildlifeSchoolandFishAcademy).

• StaffsupportedandparticipatedintwoNCTCcourses(ClimateAcademyandClimateChangeVulnerabilityAssessment).

• StaffparticipatedintwoNorthernInstituteofAppliedClimateScienceworkshops:integratingclimatechangeSectionForestResourceManagementPlansandForestAdaptation.

• F&Wstaffhasaccesstoamonthlynewsletteronclimatenews,research,casestudies,trainingopportunities,andresources.

• Staffhasbeennotifiedofwebinarsonclimatedata,impactstoresources,andmanagementopportunities.

DivisionofParksandTrailsAssessmentsandmonitoring:

• ParksandTrailscoordinatedwithEWRtoinstallmorethanadozenweatherstationsonstateparklandstomonitorclimatechange.

• ParksandTrailsisworkingincooperationwithotherDNRdivisionstoimplementalong-termnativeplantcommunitymonitoringprojectthatwillaidinunderstandingclimatechangeeffectsandadaptationstrategies.


• Considerationofclimatechangeimpactsandadaptationisbeingincorporatedintonewparkmanagementplansandrevisedplans.ArecentexampleistheSt.CroixStateParkManagementPlan.

• Climatechangeimpactsandadaptiveapproacheshavebeenincorporatedintounitresourcemanagementplans.

• TheDivisionparticipatesontheDNR’sCRESTtoimplementclimatechangeadaptationandrenewableenergystrategiesacrossthedepartment.


• AstreamrestorationprojectatWhitewaterStateParkwasdesignedandimplementedtoaddressmorefrequent/extremerainfallevents.

• TheWhitewaterStateParkcampgroundwasrelocatedtoaddresshigherfloodlevels.• Resourcespecialistsareconsideringclimatechangeeffectswhendesigningseed/plantspecies

compositionsfornativeplantcommunityrestorationsintheparks.• TheDivisioncontinuestoworkwithOSDtoinstallavarietyofrenewableenergysources(solar

panels,wind,woodheaters,etc.)atstateparkunitstoreduceenergyuse.• Managementofterrestrialinvasiveplantspecieshasincreasedbothduetoextremerainfall

eventsre-infestingareasandrangeexpansionsofotherinvasivespeciesintoMinnesota.• ParksservedonaninterdisciplinaryDNRteamthatdevelopeddepartmentalplantmaterial

standardsfornativeplantcommunityrestorationsthatincorporatedclimatechangeintorestorationplanningandsourcingofplantmaterials.



• ClimateadaptationguidancewasdevelopedunderDNR’sOperationalOrder#131toadapttoclimatechangeonParks&Trails-administeredlandsandfacilities.

• StaffpresentedacasestudyaspartofDNR’sClimateChangein-servicetrainingontheresponsetotheWhitewaterStateParkflood.

• Fifty-sixDivisionstaffattendedtheClimateChangein-servicetrainingconductedinwinter2016.• Outreachstaffincorporateskeymessagesregardingclimatechangeintocommunicationswith

visitorsandthepublic.• ParksparticipatedinthedevelopmentoftheMinnesotaClimateandHealthdocumentaryby

TwinCitiesPublicTelevisionandtheMinnesotaDepartmentofHealthin2013.• Climatechangewebinarsrelatedtocommunicationsstrategiesweresharedwithinterpretive

naturaliststohelpthemcommunicateaboutclimatechangetovisitorsandthepublic.

DivisionofForestryAssessments:

• Forestrycontinuestoconductassessmentsofforestmanagementissuesthatinvolvemanyfactors,includingclimate(e.g.,tamarack)andmakerecommendationstosharewithotherlandmanagers.

• Forestryparticipatesindepartmentalclimatechangevulnerabilityassessments.• TheDivisionisevaluatingthepossibilityandpotentialbenefitsofdevelopingresistantand

resilienttreegenotypesforuseinMinnesota.• TheassessmentofforestNativePlantCommunitiesisbeingcompleted.• Forestryisexploringopportunitiestoestablishmitigationprojectssuitableforgenerating

revenueviacarbonmarkets.• ForestryparticipatesinactivitiesoftheMinnesotaInvasiveTerrestrialPlantsandPestsCenterto

focusresearchonpriorityinvasivespecies.


• DNRForestryparticipatesintheNorthwoodsClimateChangeResponseFramework.Theframeworkincludesadetailedassessmentofthevulnerabilityoftreespeciesandforestplantcommunitiesaswellasadecisionapproachandcompilationofstrategiesthatwillhelpforestlandownersdetermineappropriatemanagementgoalsandworktowardthosegoalsinthefaceofclimatechange.

• DNRForestryisparticipatinginrevisionoftheMinnesotaForestResourcesCouncil’sNorthCentralLandscapePlan,whichwillincorporateinformationonclimatechangeimpactsaswellasrecommendmanagementstrategiesthattakethoseimpactsintoaccount.

• ForestryhasadoptedintoDNR’sSustainableForestResourcesManagementplanstheincorporationofmaintainingandincreasingdiversityasaprimaryadaptationstrategy.

• TheDivisionisrevisingitstreesuitabilitytablestoreflectanticipatedvegetationshiftsduetoclimatechange.Thegoalistoprovideforesterswithadditionalinformationonwhichtreespecieswouldbefavoredinawarmerand/ordrierclimate.

• TheDivisionisdevelopingaplantousethestate’sforestnurseriestohelpprotectthefitnessandresilienceofnativeforestecosystemsfrominvasivespeciesandclimatechange.

• Severaldifferentclimate-relatedgrantproposalshavebeensubmittedbyinterdisciplinarygroups,including“Lowlandconiferecosystems:Holisticassessmentforadaptivemanagement,”“Longlivethe(northern)conifers,”and“Seedsourcinginaneraofclimatechange.”


• NorthernSuperiorUplandsandNorthernMinnesotaandOntarioPeatlandsSectionForestResourceManagementPlanningprocesseshavebothincludedconsiderationofaclimatechange-basedcovertypechangescenario.

Managementresponse:

• DNR’sAdaptiveForestManagementProjectsareusedasdemonstrationareasforenhancingforestresiliencetoclimatechange.

• Forestryusestheinvasivespeciescontrolprogramtomaintainandenhanceforestresiliencetoimpactsofclimatechange.

• ForestrymaintainstheStateTreeNurseryanditsseedsourcecontrolprogramtoensureadequatesupplyofneededtreespecies.

• ThroughtheDivision’sMinnesotaTreeImprovementProgram,orchardseedisbredtobeadaptedtoavarietyofbioticandabioticconditions.

• TheDivisioninvestsinmodelingtheeffectsofstateforestmanagementoncarbonstocksandassessinganytradeoffswithadaptationstrategies.

• Divisionstaffdevelopedclimate-informedforeststewardshipplansforprivatelandownersinItasca(http://www.forestadaptation.org/node/392)andPine(https://www.forestadaptation.org/node/391)counties.

• Forestryisadaptingitsfirepreventionandsuppressionstrategiestochangesinthefrequency,intensity,anddistributionofwildfire.

• TheForestHealthUnitconductsaerialsurveystodetectdefoliationandotherdamageoneightto13millionacresannuallytorespondmorequicklytoforestinsects,diseaseorganisms,andabioticagentsfacilitatedbyclimatechange.


• EmployeeeducationandtrainingwasofferedthataddressedForestry’sclimatechangeefforts,anticipatedchangesinspeciescomposition,andsilviculturalmethodsforsustainingforestecosystems.

• SelectedregionalForestrystaffweredesignatedclimatechangeexpertstoanswerquestionsfromForestrystaff.

• Aninternalteamwascreatedtoanticipatescience-based,climate-relatedinformationneedsandsolutionstomanagementproblems.

MinnesotaEnvironmentalQualityBoardTheMinnesotaEnvironmentalQualityBoard(EQB)providesapublicforumfordiscussionofstateenvironmentalpolicies(includingclimatechange),encouragespublicengagementoncross-cuttingenvironmentalissues,andfacilitatesinteragencycollaboration.TheboardismadeupoftheGovernor’sOffice,fivecitizens,andtheheadsofninestateagenciesaswellastheMetropolitanCouncil.


MinnesotaEnvironmentandEnergyReportCard(2017)

The2017EnvironmentandEnergyReportCardisastatusupdateonMinnesota’sland,water,air,climate,andenergy.Thegoalofthereportcardistoevaluatetrendsandtoprovideaframeworkthatcouldinformagencyagendas,policyinitiatives,andcitizenandstakeholderactions.EQBworkedwithmemberagenciestoselectmetricsusingResults-BasedAccountabilitymethodology.Aninteragencyteamofexpertscollaboratedtodeveloptext,graphics,andanalysisthatwouldclearlycommunicatetothepublicthestateofMinnesota’senvironment.

EnvironmentalCongress(2017)WorkingintandemwiththeEnvironmentandEnergyReportCard,theMinnesotaEnvironmentalCongresshappenseverytwoyearsandisacornerstoneofcitizendialogandengagementontheenvironment.ThegoalsaretoinformcitizensaboutthestateofMinnesota’senvironment,engagethepubliconpressingpolicyissues,andtoprovidespaceforcross-sectordialogue.The2017,Congressincludedasessiononclimateadaptationandresiliency,andsessionsonclimatemitigationandenergypolicy,transportation,andenvironmentaljustice.

ClimateSolutionsandEconomicOpportunities(2016)MinnesotaiscommittedbystatutetodoitspartfortheclimatebymeetingitsNextGenerationEnergyActgoals.This2007lawsetsagoalforthestatetocutitsannualemissionsofgreenhousegasesby80%between2005and2050.

Whilemuchprogresshasbeenmade,the2050goalwillrequirepolicieswellbeyondwhatisalreadyinplaceatthefederalorstatelevel.Thisreportfocusesonnear-termemissionsreductionsbetweenthepresentand2030.Itincludesanalysisanddiscussionoftheoptionsbeforeus,providingaframeworkfordecision-makingthatisbasedinpartontheEQBandmemberagencies.Stakeholderengagementforthisprojectoccurredbetween2014and2016,engaging969stakeholdersand130differentorganizationsonclimatepolicythroughninepublicmeetingsandseventechnicalwebinars.

Source:MNEnvironmentalQualityBoard




BeyondtheStatusQuo:2015EQBWaterPolicyReport(2015)ThisreportisorganizedasamenuofoptionstomovebeyondthestatusquoonwaterchallengesMinnesotafaces.

WaterresourcesinMinnesotaareimpactedbyclimatechangeandarealsoacriticalcomponentofadaptationstrategies.Thereportwasdevelopedandwrittenbymultiplestateagencieswiththeintentofprovidingaframeworktocontinueabroadconversationonwaterpolicywithlocalandstateimplementationpartners.

MinnesotaandClimateChange:OurTomorrowStartsToday(2014)Thisreportexplainshowclimatechangeimpactsthewaywelive,work,andplayinMinnesota.Itisdesignedtobemodularwithsectionsfocusedondifferentsectorsofthestate,includingenergy,buildings,health,transportation,agriculture,naturalresources,andwaste.

ThereporthasbeenusedforcommunityclimatediscussionsledbytheUniversityofMinnesotaExtensionSchoolandbytheClimateGenerationorganization.ThisreportwasusedasthebasedocumentfortheGovernor’s2016WaterSummitandforabreakoutdiscussionatthesummitonadaptation.

Stakeholderengagement(ongoing)EQBhostsmonthlyboardmeetingsthatareopentothepublicandwhereanyonefromthepubliccanmakeacommenttotheboard.TheInteragencyClimateAdaptationTeampresentedtotheboardinDecember2016,January2016,andNovember2013.EQBalsoconvenesotherpublicmeetingsandforumsasissuesemergethatareofconcerntoagencyrepresentativesandcitizens.Climateadaptationisfrequentlyfeaturedattheseevents.Forexample,EQBconvenedtwopublicforumsforMinnesotacitizenswhoattendedtheinternationalclimatenegotiationsinParisin2015.TheseforumsprovidedawayforConferenceoftheParties(COP)21attendeestonetworkandcommunicatewiththeadministration.

MinnesotaPollutionControlAgencyTheMinnesotaPollutionControlAgency(MPCA)isrespondingtoclimatechangeimpacts,whichaffectenvironmentalqualityinanumberofareas.

MPCAClimateAdaptationStrategyandProposedNear-TermActionsTheMPCAcreatedaninternalMPCAClimateAdaptationTeam(MCAT)inDecember2013forthepurposeofadvancingclimateadaptationthroughcollaborationbetweentheagency’sdivisionsandprograms.MCATwasdirectedtorecommendastrategyandnear-termactionstoMPCAseniormanagementonclimateadaptationbymid-2014.MCATpreparedtheMPCAClimateAdaptationStrategyandProposedNear-TermActionsinJuly2014:https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/p-gen4-10.pdfThisdocumentrecommendsaclimateadaptationstrategyandnear-termactionsfortheMPCA,anditwasacceptedbyagencyseniormanagement.MCAThasbeenimplementingtheseactionsoverthepastthreeyears.




StormwatermanagementTheMPCA’sStormwaterProgramhasbeenaddressingtheissuesrelatedtoclimatechangeadaptationsince2005withthefirstissuanceoftheMinnesotaStormwaterManual.Itadvancedtheconceptoftreatingwateronsite,usinglowimpactdesign,andvolumecontrolbestmanagementpractices(BMPs).Sincethen,stormwaterpermitshaveadvancedtheseBMPs,andMPCAhasworkedtosetgoalsandquantifycreditsforusingtheseBMPsthroughtheMinimalImpactDesignStandards(MIDS)Project.ConsistentwithMIDSareBMPsthatcanincreaseinfiltrationandreducerunoff(includinggreeninfrastructurelikeraingardens,urbanforestry/trees,permeablepavement,swales,etc.).

TheMinnesotaStormwaterManualhttps://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php?title=Main_PagenowinaWikiformat,containsdetailedinformationongreeninfrastructurepracticesthatcanassistinreducingclimatechangeimpacts.Bestmanagementpracticessuchasraingardens,permeablepavement,andotherinfiltrationpracticesworktoreducethevolumeofstormwater,whichcanhelptoreduceflooding.Rainwaterharvestingtechniquessuchasrainbarrelsandcisternsreducethevolumeofwaterbycollectingandstoringitforalaterusesuchasirrigationortoiletflushing.Plantingtreesintreeboxesthatcapturestormwaterandinstallinggreenroofsonbuildingshelptoreduceurbanheatislandeffect.

Localunitsofgovernmenthavetraditionallyworkedtogetwateroffthelandscapeasquicklyaspossible.Inthelastcoupleofdecades,theMPCAstartedaddressingpollutantandratecontrol.Nowvolumecontrolisbeingaddressed.Volumecontrol,andworkingtomimicnaturalhydrology,helpstoresultinlessdramaticrunoffevents,whichreducesstreamerosionandscouring.Impervioussurfacesareincreasingfasterthanpopulationgrowth.Thisincreaseinimpervioussurfacecoupledwithlargerstormeventswillhaveasignificantimpactonreceivingwaters.Stormwatercaptureandreuseisanopportunitytoreducerunoffandreapbenefitsfromheavierrainfallswhilereducingdemandsonthepotablewatersupply.Tothatend,stormwaterstaffhavegatheredinformationonwaterreuseprojectsaroundthestate,participatedontheInteragencyWaterReuseTeam,andhelpedplanastatewidewaterreuseworkshop.

NationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministration(NOAA)Atlas14updatesarebeingusedtomoreaccuratelyreflectprecipitationintensitiesanddurations.NOAAAtlas14incorporates50additionalyearsofdataintotheestimateofprecipitationintensityanddurations,andcouldaccountforchangesthatmayberelatedtoclimatechange.Theseestimates,usedasanengineeringstandard,arevitaltoensureproperdesignofculverts,stormsewers,andwaterqualitydevices.

InAugust2013,thereissuedMunicipalSeparateStormSewerSystem(MS4)GeneralPermitbecameeffective,whichregulatesstormwaterdischargefromcounties,cities,townships,andotherpubliclyownedentitiesinurbanizedareas.ThegoaloftheMS4programistopreventorreducethedischargeofpollutantstostormwater,andultimately,surfacewaters.Thispermit’sprovisionswillhelptoaddressproblemsoferosionandwaterpollutionassociatedwithheavyprecipitationevents.

WastewatertreatmentMPCAreviewsclimate-relatedissuesonaregularbasiseitherduetoreissuanceofNationalPollutantDischargeEliminationSystem(NPDES)permits(approximatelyeveryfiveyears),orattimeswhenthemunicipalityislookingtoeitherupgrade/expandthewastewatercollectionortreatmentfacilities.Whilereviewingthepermitreissuance(ormodification)ortheproposedmodificationstothecollectionsystemortreatmentfacility,MPCAstaffcanaskthatthemunicipalstaffortheirconsultantsrevieworconsiderclimate-relatedconcepts(changingpeakflows,changingfloodelevations,wastewaterreuseopportunities).

MPCAencourageswastewaterpermitteestojointheMinnesotaWater/WastewaterUtilitiesAgencyResponseNetwork(MnWARN),anemergencyresponsemutualassistanceprogramforwaterutilities,inordertohelpthemtoaddressfloodandotherdisasterresponseandrecovery.


MPCAencourageswastewaterpermitteestoexplorereuseofwastewater,whichcanextendwatersuppliesindroughtconditions.

MPCAworkswithwastewatertreatmentplantsinwaysthatcanincludeinfrastructureimprovementstomanageincreasingrainfallintensities.TheCleanWaterRevolvingFundprioritizesfinancialassistanceforinfrastructureimprovementsthatwouldfixproblemssuchasbypassing.

WatershedapproachMPCAhasadoptedawatershedapproachthatincludeswaterqualitymonitoring,modeling,identificationofstressorsaffectingaquaticlife,completingtotalmaximumdailyloadsforpollutantsimpairingwaterquality,anddevelopingstrategiesforrestoringandprotectingthewaterresourcesinmajorwatersheds.Biological,physical,andchemicalmonitoringareintegratedtodeveloprelationshipsbetweenenvironmentalfactors(includingclimate)andaquaticlife.Monitoringactivitiesincludecomponentsthatwillallowlong-termtrendanalysisatvariousgeographicscales.Theprocessesforbiologicalstressoridentificationanddevelopmentofimplementationstrategiesincludeclimatechangeconsiderations.SubsurfaceSewageTreatmentSystemsTheSubsurfaceSewageTreatmentSystem(SSTS)programprovidesaframeworkforthelocalregulationofdecentralizedwastewatertreatmentsystemsthateffectivelytreatsewageandrechargegroundwater.Minnesotarulesthatgovernfacilityplanningandinfrastructurespendingprioritizationemphasizeright-sizesolutionstoaddresswastewatertreatmentneeds.Replacingoutdatedandpollutingonsitedisposalsystemswithindividualorclusteredsepticsystemsthatmeetcurrentdesignstandardscanpresentthemostcost-effectiveoptionfromalife-cyclebasisandmayofferconsiderableresourceconsumptionsavings.Theregulatoryframeworkitselfmaybeadoptedtorespondtoincreasingdemandforonsitewaterresourcemanagementortreatmentpracticesthatareincreasinglybeingofferedaseffectiveresponsestoimpactsfromclimatechange.Climatechangewillincreasetheneedtodeployqualitycontroleffortstonewindustriesandregionsbasedonemergingclimateadaptationstrategiesandpracticesthatmayincludeerosioncontrol,landscapedrainagemodifications,rainwaterharvesting,andwaterreuse.Thisstatedefinedandlocallyimplementedmodelforreviewing,permitting,inspectingandmanagingSSTSoffersareasonableandstate/locallybalancedregulatorypathtootheronsiteeffortstoadapttoclimatechange.Climatechangewillintroducerisksthatcouldimpacttheeffectivenessofsomesepticsystemsinsomeareas,andmaymakedecentralizedwastewatermanagementamoreattractivestrategyinothers.SSTSthatmeetcurrentdesignstandardsareexpectedtobemoreresilienttoclimatechange.Regionsthatexperienceareducedtreatmentcapacityofnaturalsoilsmayneedtoconsideradvancedtechnologiestomeettreatmentneeds.Areducedabilitytobeneficiallylandapplyseptagemayrequirepolicychangestoreevaluateseptagemanagementpractices.EmergencyresponseMPCA’sEmergencyManagementUnit(EMU)istheleadprogramattheagencytoplanandprepareforemergencysituationsthatmayinvolvetheMPCA.WhenlocalgovernmentseeksMPCAassistance,theEMUstaffcoordinatesallagencyprogramstorespondinaunifiedmanner.Apriorityfortheagencyistoimprovetheagency’spreparednessandourresponses.Diligentafter-actionreviewsareconductedandimprovementplansarecreatedtodocumentandprioritizeneeds.Additionally,in-housetrainingandexercisesareapriorityandincreasedparticipationisplannedandoccurring.


MPCAsustainablecommunityassistance

MinnesotaGreenStepCitiesLaunchedin2010,MinnesotaGreenStepCitiesisavoluntarychallenge,assistance,andrecognitionprogramtohelpcitiesachievetheirsustainabilityandquality-of-lifegoals.Thisfreecontinuous-improvementprogram,managedbyapublic-privatepartnership(co-coordinatedbyMPCA),isbasedon29sustainabilitybestpractices.Citiesimplementabestpracticebycompletingoneormoreactionsata1-,2-or3-starlevel,fromalistoffourtoeightpossibleactions.GreenStepCitiestailorsactionstoberelevantforallMinnesotacities,focusesoncostsavingsandenergyusereduction,andencouragescivicinnovation.AsofApril2017,109citiesandthreetribalnationshadbecomemembersofMinnesotaGreenStepCities.

Inearly2016,MinnesotaGreenStepCitiesreleasedabetaversionofthefirstnewbestpracticesincetheprogram’sinception,focusingonactionscitiescantaketoincreasetheirresilienceinacknowledgementofachangingclimate.SubsequentrevisionswereincorporatedinBestPractice29:ClimateAdaptationandCommunityResilience,https://greenstep.pca.state.mn.us/bestPracticesDetail.cfm?bpid=31,whichcallsoncitiestoplanandprepareforextremeweather,adapttochangingclimaticconditions,andfosterstrongercommunityconnectednessandsocialandeconomicvitality.ThisbestpracticeorganizesitsactionsaccordingtothefouressentialdimensionsofurbanresiliencefromtheCityResilienceFrameworkhttp://www.100resilientcities.org/resilience#/:Leadership&Strategy,Health&Wellbeing,Economy&Society,andInfrastructure&Environment.BestPractice29complementstheother28sustainabilitybestpractices,whichcontainactionsthatalsocontributetoclimatechangemitigationandresilience.

BestPractice29provideseightclimateresiliencebestpracticeactionsasfollows,eachspecifyingthreepotentiallevelsofimplementationforcitiestoexplore:

• Preparetomaintainpublichealthandsafetyduringextremeweatherandclimate-change-relatedeventswhiletakingapreventiveapproachtoreducerisk.

• Integrateclimateresilienceintoplanning,policy,operations,andbudgeting.• Increasesocialconnectednessandprovideopportunitiesforeconomicallyvulnerableresidents

toimprovetheirprosperity.• Encourageprivatesectoractiontoinvestinpreventiveapproachesthatreduceriskand

minimizeimpactsofextremeweatherandthechangingclimate.• Protectpublicbuildingsandnatural/constructedinfrastructuretoreducephysicaldamageand

sustainfunction.• Reducetheurbanheatimpactsofpublicbuildings,sites,andinfrastructureandprovide

resiliencyco-benefits.• Protectwatersupplyandwastewatertreatmentfacilitiestoreducephysicaldamageandsustain

function.• Improvelocalenergyresiliencebyminimizingfuelpoverty,installingdistributedrenewable

energysystems,anddevelopingmicrogrids.

MPCAawardedeventsponsorshipsduringFiscalYear2016toincentivizeandsupportimplementationofBestPractice29communityengagementefforts.SixMinnesotacities(Austin,FalconHeights,Fridley,Hutchinson,LaPrairie,St.AnthonyPark)heldeventstoengageresidentsaboutsomeorallofthefollowing:needsofimmigrantpopulations,greeninfrastructureforextremerainfallandurbanheat,

Source:MNPollutionControlAgency


communityenergyresilience,planningforclimateresilience,andinformationsharingaboutcityresilienceeffortstodate.

ByApril2017,22citieshadcompletedatotalof34actionsimplementingBestPractice29.TheseactionsincludedreviewingtheHazardMitigationPlanwiththeircounty;identifyingcitypersonnelresponsibleforextremeweatherplanning,preparationandrecovery;addingresiliencechapterstocomprehensiveplans;proactivelyengagingcommunitymembersinresilienceplanningefforts;addressingtheneedsofvulnerablepopulationsinthecommunity;organizingresidentstoplanttrees,andretrofittinglow-incomehomesforfloodresilienceandrenewablepower.

MinnesotaGreenCorpsLaunchedin2009,MinnesotaGreenCorpsisastatewideprogramoftheMPCAtohelppreserveandprotectMinnesota’senvironmentwhiletraininganewgenerationofenvironmentalprofessionals.ThisprogramplacesAmeriCorpsmemberswithlocalgovernments,educationalinstitutions,andnonprofitorganizationsaroundMinnesota,wheretheyservefor11monthsonfocusedenvironmentalprojects.

TheMinnesotaGreenCorpsprograminvolvesthreetypesofactivitiesinacomprehensiveapproachtotacklingcommunity-identifiedenvironmentalstewardshipprojects.

Members:

• Assessthelocalcircumstancesandgatherdata.

• Engagecommunityandorganizationalmembers.• Implementlocallyappropriatesolutions.

Memberprojectsincorporateavarietyofevidence-basedbestmanagementpracticesinenergyconservation,publiclandenvironmentalstewardship,andrecycling.Theprojectsarecarefullydesignedtohavepositiveenvironmentalimpacts,besustainablelong-termatthecommunitylevel,andbuildthecapacityofcommunitiestoadaptandbecomemoreresilienttothreatsposedbyachangingclimate.

Results:Duringthe2015-16serviceyear,MinnesotaGreenCorpsmemberscompletedactivitiestohelpincreasetheresilienceofMinnesotacommunities.Theseincluded101energysavingretrofitsoroperationalimprovementprojects;275,000gallonsofnewannualcapacitytocaptureorinfiltraterainwater;44raingardens,1,273trees,and31,588squareyardsofbackyard/school/communitygardensinstalled;116acresofurbanforestsandstormwatergreeninfrastructuretreatedorimproved.Twenty-twotonsofwastewereprevented,recycled,composted,ordiverted;plans,policies,andresourcesdeveloped;trainingsandpresentationsgivenatclassesandworkshops;boothshosted;volunteereventscoordinated;anddatasetscollectedandanalyzed.

Theseeffortsresultedinmorethan$65,927indirectfinancialsavingsforMinnesotacommunities,andmuchlargeranticipatedannualsavingsfromenergyconservationprojectsthatextendbeyondthetimeframeoftheGreenCorpsserviceyear.

2016MinnesotaGreenCorpsenergyconservationmemberleadsarooftoptourshowingoffinstalledSolatubesandsolarthermalpanelsthataddtoCampRipley'sresiliencywhilereducinggreenhousegasemissions.Source:MNPollutionControlAgency


YouthCrewsforCommunityResiliencePartnershipThispartnership,startedin2016betweentheMPCAandConservationCorpsMinnesota,representsanewwaytoimplementcommunityresilienceprojectsandanewapproachfortheSummerYouthCorpsandYouthOutdoorsprograms.ProjectsarelocatedinunderservedurbanneighborhoodsandcitiesthroughoutMinnesotainsteadofstateparklands.Theyouthcrewsinteractwithlocalvolunteers,communitymembers,and/orcitystaffinsteadofworkingaloneinthewoods.Theresilienceprojectsinvolveinstallationofnewgreeninfrastructure—anewamenityforeachcommunity—ratherthanmaintenanceofexistingparklands.

Eachoftheprojectsprovidesongoingenvironmentalandresiliencebenefitsbeyondwhatexistedbefore,includingsomeorallofthefollowing:reducingstormwaterrunoff,helpingimprovelocalwaterquality,helpingimprovelocalairquality,enhancinggreenspaceavailableforcommunityuse,supportinglocalpollinators,diversifyingtheurbantreecanopy,andincreasingshadedareas.Allfour2016resilienceprojectswerelocatedinlower-incomeneighborhoods:threeinnercityandonefirst-ringsuburban.Twoabuttedbusyinterstateroadswithpoorairquality.For2017,25daysofyouthcrewserviceareavailabletolocalcommunitiesthroughoutMinnesota.

TheCommunityResiliencePartnershipalsodevelopedfivehoursofeducationalcontentonclimatechangescience,globalandlocalimpacts,andplanningforresiliency.Thecrewleadersforthefourresilienceprojects(andanoccasionalguestspeaker)taughtthiseducationalcontenttothecrewmembers,usinganinteractiveformatduringlunchhoursandeveningdiscussions.In2017,allyouthcrewsinConservationCorps’spring,summer,andfallprogramswillhaveaccesstotheselessonsonclimatechangeandresilience.

Results:The2016partnershipreportedthefollowingmeasurableoutcomes:101trees,293shrubs,2,900+pollinatorperennials,and425+non-pollinatorperennialsplanted;3,766squareyards(3/4+acre)ofparks,greenspace,gardens,andpubliclandimproved;12greenstormwaterinfrastructureBMPsinstalled;and3,587gallonsofrainwatercapturedand/orinfiltratedduringeachone-inchrainevent.

EnvironmentalAssistanceGrantProgram(openroundandtime-sensitiveawards)Forthe2014-15EnvironmentalAssistanceGrantProgramOpenRoundandagainforthe2016-17OpenRound,MPCAincludedclimateadaptationandcommunityresilienceasapriorityfundingarea.

Inthe2014-15round,MPCAawardedsixclimateadaptationandresiliencegrants,including:

• ClimatedialoguesandactioninStevensCounty.• AseriesoffiveclimateadaptationconveningsinGreaterMinnesota.• DevelopmentofaStrategicResilienceFrameworkfortheCityofSaintPaul.• VulnerabilityassessmentandadaptationplanninginSouthCentralMinnesotaledbytheRegion

NineDevelopmentCommission.• CommunityoutreachonpotablewaterconservationintheCityofWoodbury.

2016ConservationCorpsSummerYouthCorpscrewplantssumactoimproveroadsidevegetationalongtheMississippiRiverRegionalTrailinFridley.Thesumacplantscanreducestormwaterrunoffwhilealsoprovidingco-benefitsforimprovedairandwaterquality.Source:MNPollutionControlAgency


• OutreachandtooldevelopmenttoincreasecommunityemergencypreparednessofhistoricallyunderservedandvulnerablepopulationsintheTwinCities.

Inthe2016-17round,MPCAagainawardedsixclimateadaptationandresiliencegrants,including:

• RileyPurgatoryBluffCreekWatershedpartnershipforpublicplanningtoaddressclimatechangeimpacts.

• WinonaEngagedcoordinatedefforttobuildmomentumandvisibilityforclimateresilience.• HighvisibilitydemonstrationofagravelbednurseryattheScienceMuseumofMinnesota,with

adaptedtreestobeplantedalongtheMississippiRiverinSaintPaul.• CoordinatedefforttobenchmarkCityofDuluthordinances,policies,andplansagainst

environmental/resiliencemetricsandprovidecommunityoutreach.• Researchtoidentifyeffectiveclimate-resilientdesignstrategiesfortwocommonbuildingtypes

(mid-risemulti-familymixed-use,libraries)foruseinupdatingtheStateofMinnesotaSustainableBuildingGuidelines.

• ExhibitonClimate,Energy,andCommunity:WhatWeCanDo.

Inaddition,MPCAopenedatime-sensitivegrantopportunityinwinter2014-15tofundnextstepimplementationeffortsforthoseMinnesotacitiesthathadparticipatedintheNationalLeagueofCitiesMidwestRegionalConveningforClimateResilienceinSaintPaul.Threecities(St.LouisPark,Burnsville,andFalconHeights)receivedmini-grantawardsof$3,000eachforvulnerabilityassessmentandcommunityengagementefforts.Thesemini-grantshelpedspurongoingclimateresilienceeffortsinallthreecities.

Anothertime-sensitivegrantopportunitywasopenedbyMPCAinspring2017tofundpreparationofpopulationvulnerabilityassessmentsforcitiesinterestedinincorporatingclimateresilienceintheircomprehensiveplans.

GreenBuildingProgramMPCA’sGreenBuildingProgramfacilitatespartnershipstolessentheenvironmentalimpactofMinnesota’sbuiltenvironment.Increasingly,thearchitecturalcommunityviewsresiliencyasanimportantcomponentofgreenbuildingpractice,includingadaptationstothechangingclimate.

In2014,MPCAreceivedanin-kindassistancegrantfortheGeorgetownClimateCenter(GCC)toresearchMinnesotaoptionstoincreaseclimateresilienceinbuildings.TheresultingJanuary2015report,MinnesotaOptionstoIncreaseClimateResilienceinBuildings(https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/tdr-fg15-01.pdf),postedonMPCA’swebsite,addressesresilientbuildingpractices(buildingcodesandmunicipalpowersinMinnesota);statewideactiontoimprovemunicipalabilitytoact(stateagencyauthorityandlegislativesolutions);andmunicipalsolutions(bestpracticesandincentives).TheseoptionshaveinformedMPCA’sworkonlegislativepolicyinitiatives,bestpracticesdevelopment,andgrantfunding.

Asaresultofoutreachandpartnershipsdevelopedwiththedesigncommunityovertheyears,majorstateandregionalconferencesofnationalassociations,includingtheAssociationofFloodPlainManagers,AmericanInstituteofArchitects,SocietyofAmericanMilitaryEngineers,U.S.GreenBuildingCouncil,AmericanPlanningAssociation,andtheNationalAdaptationForumhaveinvitedMCPAtogivepresentationsonclimateresilienceforthebuiltenvironment.


MinnesotaStateFairEcoExperienceBeginningin2014andongoing,theMPCA’sEcoExperienceattheMinnesotaStateFairbeganincludingexhibitpiecesonclimateadaptationandcommunityresilienceaspartoftheClimateChangeExhibit.MPCArefreshestheexhibitpieceseveryyear.Pastexhibitshaveincluded:

• Displayaboutresilienturbantreesandbestpracticesforplanting.

• Exhibithighlightingcommunityassetsthatcontributetoresilience,withsupplementaryinformationontheMPCACommunityResiliencewebpagehttps://www.pca.state.mn.us/quick-links/community-resilience.

• Flippanelsaboutchangingconditionsandhowtoadapt;largebannersdescribinghowMinnesota’sclimateisalreadychangingandexpectedfuturetrends.

• Largewalk-onscaletohighlighttheimpactofpeopleworkingtogethertotakeaction.

• Climateconnectionbingogame.

MPCAredesignedtheResilientCommunitiesexhibitin2015tomakeitportable.Nowlibrariesandotherpublicvenuesthroughoutthestatearedisplayingityear-round.

AirqualityIn2013,Minnesotacompletedamulti-stakeholderCleanAirDialogueprocesswiththegoalsofidentifyingnewopportunitiesforemissionsreductions,layingthegroundworkforfuturecollaborationtoimproveairqualityinMinnesota,andpreparingforpotentialnonattainmentdesignationsofairqualitystandards.Someoftheoptionsrecommendedthroughthisprocesshavepotentialforaddressingandadaptingtoclimatechangechallenges.MPCAalsoconductsmonitoringforclimate-influencedairpollutants.

SolidandhazardouswastemanagementMPCAworkswithcommunitiestocollecthouseholdhazardouswastes(HHW)afterdisasterevents,whichmaybeoneofthemostimportantstepsalocalcommunitycantaketopreventchemicalsfromenteringlocaldrinkingwatersupplies.HHWcoordinationeffortsrequireteamcollaborationwithvariousMPCAprograms,includingsolidwaste,hazardouswaste,andemergencyresponsestaff.Coordinationwithcounty,city,andotherlocalunitsofgovernmentisalsonecessaryandessentialfollowingadisasterevent.

Intermsofclimateadaptationatpermittedsolidwastefacilities,precipitationdataisusedforstormwatermodeling.Atthispoint,allpermitteesknowtheyshouldbedrawingonNOAA’sAtlas14fordata,nottheoldTechnicalPublicationNo.40fromtheNationalWeatherServicedated1961.Forlinedlandfills,thereisarulerequirementthatstormwatermanagementsystemsmustcopewith24-hourstormsat25-yearintervals.Whenpermitscomeupforreissuance,someoftheselandfillsarevoluntarilydesigningfor24-hourstormsat100-yearintervals.

The2016EcoExperienceClimateScaleexhibitdemonstratedhowmuchcanbeaccomplishedtoincreaseclimateresiliencebyenlistingothersinplantingtrees,bikingandwalking,savingenergy,andmore.Source:MNPollutionControlAgency


ForClass1demolitiondebrislandfills,therulerequirementisthatstormwatermanagementsystemsshouldhandle24-hourstormsat10-yearintervals.Whenpermitscomeupforreissuance,someoftheselandfillsarevoluntarilydesigningfor24-hourstormsat25-yearintervals.

MinnesotaDepartmentofPublicSafety,DivisionofHomelandSecurityandEmergencyManagementTheDivisionofHomelandSecurityandEmergencyManagement(HSEM)helpsMinnesotansprevent,preparefor,respondto,andrecoverfromdisaster.TheHSEMRecoveryandHazardMitigationbranchistaskedwithreducingtherisktopeopleandpropertyfromtheeffectsofnaturalhazardsbydevelopingandimplementinglong-termmitigationmeasuresthatwillreduceoreliminatefutureimpactsofextremeweatherevents.

Inordertoimprovethedisasterresilienceofcommunities,HSEMincorporatedclimatechangeandadaptationintothe2014StateofMinnesotaAll-HazardMitigationPlan.Localmulti-jurisdictionalhazardmitigationplansareencouragedtoanalyzetheirhazardsandimplementhazardmitigationactionstoreduceandavoidfuturedamagesusingClimateResilientMitigationActionsasavailablethroughFederalEmergencyManagementAgency(FEMA)grants.

Minnesota’smostcommonnaturalhazardthreatissevereweather,includingtorrentialrainsandtheresultingflashflooding.PostPresidentialDisasterDeclarations,HSEMimplementstheFEMAHazardMitigationGrantProgram(HMGP).Acquisitionanddemolitionofflood-damagedhomesisapriorityprojectforthestateandmanylocalgovernments.Thelandisdeedrestrictedtoopenspaceinperpetuity,withthegoalofreturningthefloodplaintofullyfunctionandremovethepossibilityoffuturedamages.

HeavyrainsinJune2012resultedinmanyPineCountyresidents’homesbeingflooded.UsingthePresidentialDisasterDeclarationHMGPfunding,PineCountyoffereditsresidents’pre-eventfairmarketvaluefortheirflooddamagedhomes.Voluntaryparticipationintheacquisitionprojectwasofferedtoall40damagedpropertyowners;27participatedintheprogram.Buyoutsoccurredin2014.Theprojectcostwas$5million,withFEMAcostsharing75%andtheMinnesotaDepartmentofNaturalResourcescoveringtheremaining25%.

Fouryearslater,theintenserainfallinJulyof2016ledtoastatedisasterdeclarationinthissamearea.Manyofthehomesthatdidnotparticipateweredamagedinthisevent.

ManyjurisdictionsinthestateofMinnesotahaveusedtheHMGPandotherfederal,state,andlocalprogramstoremovehomesinthefloodplain.HSEMRecoveryandMitigationwillcontinuetoworkwithlocalcommunitiestoplanforandacttoremovepropertiesoutofharm’sway,whetherit’sfromintenserainfall,wind,wildfire,orotherextremeweatherevents.


Casestudy:HazardMitigationGrantsFEMA’sHazardMitigationGrantProgram,administeredbytheDivisionofHomelandSecurityandEmergencyManagement,allowsforpurchaseofflood-damagedhomeswhenriskofarepeateventisconsideredtobesignificant.

Forexample,thishomeinPineCountywasimpactedbyseverestormsandheavy,intenserainfallinJune2012andwasconsideredtobeathighriskforfutureflooding.Thehomeownersvoluntarilyacceptedpre-floodfairmarketvaluefortheirproperty,whichwasthendemolishedafteritwaspurchasedbythecountywithsupportfromfederalandstatefunds.Afterhomeslikethisaredemolished,thelandmustremainopenspace,whicheliminatesrepeateddamageandallowsthefloodplaintofunction.

Seethis2015HSEMvideotolearnmore:https://tinyurl.com/kue65co

MinnesotaDepartmentofTransportationTheimpactsofclimatechangeontheDepartmentofTransportation(MnDOT)areprojectedtobesignificant.MnDOTiscommittedtoaddressingclimatechangeadaptationinourstatewidevisionforamultimodaltransportationsystemthat“isflexibleandnimbleenoughtoadapttochangesinsociety,technology,theenvironment,andtheeconomy.”ClimateissueswillaffectmanyfunctionalgroupswithinMnDOT,includingBridge,Hydraulics,WaterResources,Maintenance,Design,Construction,Materials,andFreight,RailandWaterways.MnDOThasincorporateddiscussionofclimateadaptationanditsimportanceinitsFebruary2017SustainabilityReport:http://www.dot.state.mn.us/climate/pdf/sustainability-report-2016.pdf

Thepredictionsforincreasedfrequencyandintensityofrainfallevents,warmerwintersleadingtomoreicethansnow,extremeheateventsresultinginworsenedairquality,andanincreasednumberoffreeze/thawcycleswillaffectthewayMnDOTdesigns,builds,operates,andmaintainsthestate’smultimodaltransportationsystem.ItwillalsocompelMnDOTtoinventorymorestatewidetransportationassetstoassesstheirvulnerabilitytotheimpactsofclimatechange,anddeterminecost-effectivemethodstominimizeandmitigatethoseimpacts.

Thedefinitionsofextremeweathereventsvarybetweenclimatologistsandhydraulicengineers.Tohydraulicengineers,an“extremeevent”representsaneventgreaterthanthedesignevent(basedonannualprobabilityofoccurrenceinaspecificlocation),i.e.,a100-yearstormmaybeconsideredacheckstormbyhydraulicengineerswhenconsideringfloodingimpacts.Amorefrequentstormmightbeconsidered“extremeweather”byclimatologists.

MnDOTisrespondingtoclimatechangeimpactsinanumberofthefollowingareas.

ClimatevulnerabilityassessmentpilotprojectMnDOTconductedasystem-wideassessmentoftrunkhighwaynetworkvulnerabilitytoincreasedheavyprecipitationinMnDOTDistricts1and6.Theassessmentwasoneof19pilotstudiesacrossthe

Source:MNHomelandSecurityandEmergencyManagement


countrysponsoredbytheFederalHighwayAdministration(FHWA)toexaminetheeffectsofclimatehazardsontransportationsystems.

Theprojectteamscoredandranked316bridges,521largeculverts,920pipes,and,approximately45milesofroadsegmentsparallelingstreamsbasedonthesensitivityandexposuretoheavyprecipitationandthesystem’sadaptivecapacity.

Theprojectalsoincludedanadaptationanalysisoftwoculverts:oneonMinnesota61overSilverCreekinDistrict1andoneonU.S.63intheCityofSpringValleyinDistrict6.Theanalysisevaluatedthecurrentculvertperformanceandthreeadaptationoptions.Alloptionswereassessedagainstthreefutureclimatescenariosandapreferredoptionwasidentifiedbasedonlowestlifecyclecostanalysisthatincludedcostfordirectrepair,replacement,detours,andsafety.

Moreinformationisavailableat:http://www.dot.state.mn.us/climate/pilotproject.html

Figure14

AssetvulnerabilitytoflashfloodeventsinMnDOTDistrict1.Source:MnDOT


Figure15

AssetvulnerabilitytoflashfloodeventsinMnDOTDistrict6.Source:MnDOT

FloodmitigationprojectsIn2011,MnDOTdedicated$50millionofChapter152bondstofundprojectsthatmitigateandensurelong-termsustainabilityforflood-pronehighways.Theprogramfunded34projectsallofwhicharenowcompleteorunderconstruction.Someoftheprojectsincludedthefollowing:

• Hwy101Floodmitigationproject(MetroDistrict).http://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/hwy101river/index.html

• Hwy169&Hwy22Floodmitigationprojects(District7).http://www.dot.state.mn.us/d7/projects/floodmitigation/

• Hwy75nearKent(District4).http://www.dot.state.mn.us/d4/projects/hwy75kent/

Moreinformationabouttheprogramandalistofallthemitigationprojectsisavailableathttp://www.dot.state.mn.us/floodmitigation/


Bridgescour-relatedeffortsScourmayleavebridgesvulnerabletodamageandfailureduringfloodingbyunderminingbridgefoundationsorremovingtheprotectionfromtheabutmentslopes.

MnDOTaddressesbridgescourthrougheffortsincludingthefollowing:

• Manageawebpagethatprovidesbridgescourmonitoringinformation:http://www.dot.state.mn.us/bridge/hydraulics/scour.html.

• Educatebridgeinspectorsduringre-certificationtrainingaboutwhatbridgescouris,howtomonitorscour,andhowtouseaBridgeScourPlanofAction(POA).

• DevelopPOAsforallbridgesthatarescourcriticalorneedtobemonitoredforscour.• AssistdistrictswithFloodResponsePlans.• Investinnewunderwatersonar/inspectiontechnology.• SetupacooperativeagreementwiththeU.S.GeologicalSurvey(USGS)thatallowsMnDOTto

hirethemtomonitorbridgesduringfloods.

SupportupdatedhydrologyWhilenotpredictiveoffuturechanges,MnDOTcontinuesworkingtokeepprecipitationfrequencyestimatesanddischargeregressionequationsuptodatethroughanongoinginteragencyagreementwiththeUSGS.MnDOTandUSGSmatchfundingtomaintaincrestgagestocollectdatatodevelopstreamregressionequations,developnewregressionequations(aboutevery10years),developandmaintainStreamstats,andperformhydrologicstudies.Aregressionequationstudyisunderwayandnewregressionequationsshouldbepublishedin2018.

MnDOTprovidedfundingtoNOAAtodevelopupdatedprecipitationfrequencydata:publishedasAtlas14(http://hdsc.nws.noaa.gov/hdsc/pfds/).Atlas14isanimportantnewdatasourcethatfullydocumentsthechangingfrequencyofextremeprecipitationinMinnesota,updatingolderprecipitationfrequencieswhich,insomecases,aredecadesold.MnDOTadoptedAtlas14inDecember2013anditisrequiredforallprojectsafterJune2014.

FundingforresearchprojectsMnDOTfundsresearchprojectstoinvestigateslopevulnerability,ditchorswaleinfiltrationtoreducerunoff,roadwayovertoppingprotection,scourmonitoringimplementation,new/improvedscourcountermeasuretechniques,drought-tolerantsod,andusingnaturalflocculantstoreducetotalsuspendedsolidsandphosphorousdischargefromextremeweathereventsduringprojectconstruction.

OtherMnDOTclimateadaptationactivitiesinclude:• Incorporatingplanningforfloodeventsandanyotherweather-relatedincidentsintoMnDOT

IncidentManagementPlansandapplyinglessons-learnedfromrecentfloodevents.• Developingmoreefficientwaystoinventoryourtransportationassetsthatmaybeimpactedby

extremeclimateevents.• PartneredwiththeDNRandBWSRtodevelopfloodanddroughttolerantseedmixturesthatare

beingusedonroadsidesandinstormwaterponds.• Createdmanagement-levelSustainableTransportationSteeringCommittee(STSC)tosetagency

directiononclimateandsustainabilityefforts,includingclimateadaptation.• Participatinginstatewideclimatechange,climateadaptation,andairqualitygroupstobetter

understandhowclimateissuesdirectlyaffectMinnesotaandcollaboratewithotherstateagenciestominimizeimpactsandincreaseourclimateresilience.


• Participateinnationalcommitteesandresearchprojectstostayinformedontransportationclimatestrategies,includingleadershiprolesinthefollowingefforts:o NationalCooperativeHighwayResearchProgram(NCHRP)researchproject:Applying

ClimateChangeInformationtoHydrologicandHydraulicsDesignofTransportationInfrastructure.

o NationalAcademiesTransportationResearchBoardTaskForceonClimateChange.

o AmericanAssociationofStateHighwayandTransportationOfficials(AASHTO)ResilientandSustainableTransportationSystemsSteeringCommittee.

o FHWAClimateChangeResiliencePilotsNationalAirQualityandHealthPeerExchanges,andinternationalSymposiumonDecarbonizingTransportation.

Figure16

PotentialeffectsofclimatechangeinMinnesotafromMnDOT'sFebruary2017SustainabilityReport(sourceofchart:MinnesotaStateClimatologyOffice)


MinnesotaBoardofWaterandSoilResourcesTheBoardofWaterandSoilResources’(BWSR)missionistoimproveandprotectMinnesota’swaterandsoilresourcesbyworkinginpartnershipwithlocalorganizationsandprivatelandowners.

BWSRisfocusedonusingcurrentclimatechangescienceandclimateadaptationsolutionstoprotectMinnesota’snaturalresources.TheboardrecentlyupdateditsClimateChangeTrendsandActionReport:http://www.bwsr.state.mn.us/native_vegetation/BWSR_Climate_Change.pdf

LocalwatermanagementplanningBWSRsupportsandpromotesintegratedwaterresourcesmanagementthatusesawatershedapproachtosolvesoilandwaterresourceissuesandconsidersthepotentialformoreextremeweathereventsandtheirimplicationsforthewaterandlandresources.Thisincludestheuseofdesignstandardsforstormwaterandconservationprojectsthataddresslargerprecipitationevents.

WetlandprotectionandrestorationWetlandanduplandbufferrestorationandprotectionconductedthroughtheReinvestinMinnesota(RIM)ReserveProgramandfederalpartnerships,WetlandsConservationActimplementation,andCleanWaterFundprojects,helptorestoreandmaintainwaterretention,runoffreduction,wildlifehabitat,andwaterqualityinMinnesota.This,inturn,enhancesadaptationtoclimatechange.

Theecosystemservicesprovidedbywetlandsalsoprotectagainstintensestormeventsandperiodsofdrought.Associateduplandbuffersprotectwetlandecosystems,andprovidelandscapeconnectivityandotherfunctionsthatpromotelandscaperesiliency.Restorationprojectsalsoincreasecarbonsequestrationthatcanincreaseinfiltrationratesandstorewateronthelandscape.

AgriculturalconservationpracticesBWSRpromotesavarietyofconservationpracticesinagriculturalareasthatpromotesoilhealthandtheabilityofsoilstocaptureandstorerainfall,storecarbon,anddecreaseheatabsorptionfromtilledground.Examplesofconservationpracticesthatminimizeimpactsfromlargerstormsincludecovercrops,fieldterraces,no-tillfarming,bufferstrips,retentionareas,andconstructedwetlands.

MultipurposedrainagemanagementBWSRpromotesandsupportsimplementationoftraditionalandnewconservationpracticesformultiplepurposes,includingconservationdrainageanddrainagewatermanagementpractices.Thesepracticeshelpreducerunoffandnutrientloss,avoidrunoffconcentration,protectareaswhererunoffconcentrates,reducepeakflowstoreduceerosion,maintainagriculturalproductivity,improvewaterqualityandhabitat,andreduceflooding.Multipurposedrainagepracticeshelpmakeworkinglands,aswellasartificialandnaturaldrainagesystems,moreresilienttohighintensityrainfall.

ShallowlakeinAnokaCounty.Source:BWSR


IncreasinglandscaperesiliencyAvarietyofrestorationandlandmanagementstrategiesarepromotedforconservationprojectstoincreaseresiliencytoextremestormsandotherlandscapestressors.Examplesinclude:

• Restoringhealthynaturalsystemswheretheycanhavethegreatestlandscapebenefits.• Decreasingfragmentationofintactplantcommunities,andcreatinghabitatcorridors.• Restoringplantcommunitiesandvegetationthatfitcurrentandexpectedprojectsite

conditions.• Promotingindividualspeciesforprojectsthatcanhandleexpectedconditionsandprovide

ecologicalfunctions.• Promotingspeciesdiversitytoincreaseresiliencyandpromotehabitatforawiderangeof

wildlifespeciesincludingpollinators.• Usingdeep-rootedplantstopromoteinfiltrationandgroundwaterrecharge.• Restoringhighqualityhabitatforpollinatorsandotherbeneficialinsects.• Managinginvasivespeciesacrossgeographicandownershipboundariestominimizetheir

competitiveadvantage.• Adaptingprojectdesign,implementation,andmanagementapproachesbasedonproject

experience.• Takingalong-termviewtothemanagementofnaturalresources.

AdaptivelandscapemanagementDisturbancesassociatedwithclimatechangecangiveinvasivespeciesacompetitiveadvantageovernativespecies.BWSR’sCooperativeWeedManagementArea(CWMA)programisfocusedonforminglocalorganizationsthatshareinvasivespeciesmanagementexpertiseandresourcesacrossownershipboundaries.

CWMAsarealsofocusingoncontrollingemergingweedthreatsthatbenefitfromwarmingclimatesuchaswoodyinvasivespeciesthatareinvadingnorthernforests.Bypromotingadaptivelandscapemanagementpracticessuchasforestmanagementandprescribedburning,BWSRisalsoworkingtoincreasethelandscape’sabilitytosequestercarbonandwithstandlargerainevents.

NorthernforestmanagementBWSRisworkingthroughpartnershipstoprotecttheintegrityofnorthernforests.Recenteffortsinclude:

• ProtectionofwildricelakesandsurroundingforeststhroughtheRIMProgram.

• Anefforttoprotectandrestorewhitecedarwetlandsthatarebecominglesscommon.

• SupportofCWMAsinnorthernMinnesotatoaddressemergingweedthreats.

BWSRalsopromotesmanagingforestsforhighdiversitytoadapttoclimatevariation,largestorms,diseases,andpathogens.

DisasterresponseFloodinghascausedsignificantdamagetoprivatelandsandconservationpracticeinfrastructureinMinnesota.Since2000,BWSRhasprovided$53millionforfloodinginsoutheast,northeastandnorthwestMinnesotawithafocusonrebuildinginfrastructurethatwillberesilienttofuturestorms.


Casestudy:EllefsonGroupWetlandRestorationRestoredwetlandsandprairiesprovideanimportantapproachinadaptingtoclimatechangebyincreasingtheresiliencyofwatersheds.TheEllefsonGroupWetlandRestorationinNormanCountywasacombinedeffortbyfourlandownersandstate,federal,andlocalagencies.

Thesitewaspreviouslyfarmlandthatfrequentlyhadcropfailureduetoflooding.Throughhydrologyrestorationandtheplantingofdiverseseedmixes,thesitewasrestoredto448acresofrestoredprairieandwetlandandcontainseightwetlandbasins.

Thewetlandandprairierestorationnowprovidesarefugetoawiderangeofwildlife,includingpollinators,amphibians,reptiles,shorebirds,andwaterfowl.

Thesitealsodecreasesdownstreamfloodingbydetainingwaterfromlargestorms.Surfacerunofffromthesiteisestimatedtobereducedby88%.

MetropolitanCouncilClimateadaptationplanningandimplementationisoccurringatalldivisionsoftheMetropolitanCouncil(Council),includingthoseprovidingorganizationalleadershipandregionalplanningassistance—likeRegionalAdministrationandCommunityDevelopment—aswellasthoseprovidingoperationsandservices,likeMetroTransit,MetroMobility,andEnvironmentalServices(MCES).ThesectionsbelowprovideaselectoverviewofadaptationactivitiesattheCouncil,andisnotexhaustive.

RegionaladministrationBasedonoutcomesfromThriveMSP2040—theCouncil’s25-yearregionalvision—theCouncilestablishedanImplementationWorkGrouponClimateChangeandEnvironmentalSustainability(CCEST).CCEST’sgoalsincludecoordinatingacrosstheCouncil;developingandimprovingenvironmentallysustainableplans,policies,andprocedures(includingresiliencyandclimateadaptation);leadingbyexampleintheCouncil’soperations;andhelpingmetropolitanareacommunitiesandothersimprovetheirenvironmentalfootprintandsustainability.SeniorexecutivesfromtheMetropolitanCouncildivisionshavebeenprovidedGETS(GovernmentEmergencyTelecommunicationsService)togetpriorityaccessduringacrisis.

Moreover,MetropolitanCouncilInformationServiceshasfocusedondevelopmentandimplementationoftechnologyrecoverystrategiesandplanstoensurerecoveryandresumptionofdisruptedinformationtechnologysystemsandservicesformanyhazardsituations,rangingfromnaturalhazards(floods,fires,tornados,pandemic,etc.)tohuman-causedhazards(bombings,riots,etc.).InformationServices’strategiesforrecoveryoftechnologyoperationsoutagesduetoclimate-relatedevents,includingoff-sitedatabackupstrategies,areincludedinthebusinesscontinuityplans.

Marshmilkweed.Source:BWSR

RestoredwetlandinNormanCounty.Source:BWSR


CommunitydevelopmentMetropolitanCouncil’sCommunityDevelopmentdivisionprovidesresourcesforcommunitiesworkingtointegrateclimateadaptationstrategiesintolocalcomprehensiveplans.

ThriveMSP2040,theCouncil’s25-yearregionalvision,(https://metrocouncil.org/Planning/Projects/Thrive-2040/Thrive-MSP-2040-Plan.aspx?source=child)encouragesclimatechangeadaptationtobepartofcomprehensiveplanupdates,whicharerequiredofallcities,counties,andtownshipswithintheseven-countymetropolitanevery10years.ThenextcomprehensiveplanupdatesareduebyDecember31,2018.

Communitiesareencouragedtoidentifyandaddressvulnerabilitiestostrengthentheirabilitytoprepareforandrespondtoclimateimpacts.Resiliencyincludesplanningformorefrequentandmoreintensesevereweather(includingprolongedheatwaves),forhealthofresidents,andforeconomicstrengthanddiversity.TheCouncil’sLocalPlanningHandbook(https://metrocouncil.org/Handbook.aspx)providesguidanceandresourcesonallelementsofacomprehensiveplanupdate,includingaResiliencePlanElementthataddressesfourareas:InfrastructureandEnvironment,EnergyInfrastructureandResources,HealthyCommunitiesandEconomyandSociety.

AsparttheCouncil’s2016-2017PlanItseries(https://metrocouncil.org/Handbook/PlanIt.aspx),webinarsontopicssuchasComprehensivePlanningforSolarEnergySystemsareavailabletocommunities.APlanItDecember2016conferenceprovidedadaptation-relatedbreakoutsessions:AdaptingtheUrbanForestintheTwinCitiesMetroAreatoClimateChangeandIntegratingSustainabilityandResiliencePlanningintheCityComprehensivePlan.Additionaltrainingandworkshopsoncommunityresiliencyandclimatechangeintheareasofsolar,energy,openspace,andurbanforestry/climatevulnerabilityassessmentarebeingplannedfor2017.

TheCommunityDevelopmentdivisioniscurrentlyconductingaClimateVulnerabilityAssessment,whichconsiderstheclimatehazardsoflocalizedfloodingandextremeheatonregionalassets.ThedivisionhasalsocollaboratedwithaUniversityofMinnesotacapstoneclasstocompleteaSocialClimateVulnerabilityAssessmentforthesametwoclimatehazards.Bothoftheseassessmentsshouldbecompletebytheendofsummerin2017.

ThriveMSP2040,theCouncil'sregional25-yearvision,providesclimateadaptationstrategiestometrocommunities.Source:MetropolitanCouncil

FocusgroupmeetsontheMetCouncil’sClimateVulnerabilityAssessmentduringJuly2016.Source:MetropolitanCouncil


TheCommunityDevelopmentdivisionisalsoworkingcloselywithFreshwaterSocietyinleadingworkshopsforcommunityresilienceplanning.Thedivisionhascompletedonecohortofcommunityworkshopsacrosstwowatersheddistrictsinthesouthwestmetro,andthepartnershipplanstorolloutmorecommunityresilienceplanningworkshopsacrossotherwatersheddistrictsin2017.

ThedivisionhasworkedwiththeSolarFoundationandtheMcKnightFoundationtofundanewSolarAdvisorpositiontoprovidetechnicalassistancetometropolitancommunitiesinplanningforsolarandobtainingSolSmartCertificationshttp://www.gosparc.org/duringthecurrentcomprehensiveplanningcycle.

EnvironmentalServicesMetropolitanCouncilEnvironmentalServices(MCES)provideswastewaterservicesandintegratedplanningtoensuresustainablewaterqualityandwatersupplyforthemetropolitanregion.MCESoperatessevenwastewatertreatmentplants(WWTPs)andonewaterreclamationfacility(WRF),whichtreatover200milliongallonsofsewageperday.MultipleclimateadaptationstrategiesarebeingimplementedthroughoutMCES,includingtheInflowandInfiltrationReductionProgram,FloodResponseandMitigation,andInfrastructureRehabilitation.

InflowandInfiltrationReductionProgramInflowandInfiltration(I/I)areseparateandrelatedchallengesthatallowclearwaterfromstormwaterandgroundwatertoenterthewastewatersystem,increasingbaseflowandpeakflowdeliveredtoWWTPsandresultingincostlyandunnecessaryexpansionofpipesandWWTPcapacity.I/Ivolumesareaffectedbyincreasedprecipitationandstormintensities.I/Icancauseexcessiveflows,leadingtountreatedsewagedischargestobasementsorwaterwaysthatendangerpublicandenvironmentalhealth.

PreviousstudiesoftheMCESsystemindicatethatupto20%oftheannualwastewaterflowisfromI/I.ReductionofthebaseflowfromI/Ipreservessystemcapacityforgrowthandallowsforsurfacewatertorechargetheregion’saquifers.(https://metrocouncil.org/Wastewater-Water/Planning/Wastewater/Inflow-and-Infiltration.aspx)

MCESownsandmaintainsmorethan600milesofregionalinterceptorsewersthatcollectwastewaterflowfromroughly5,000milesofsewermainsownedandoperatedby109communitieswithinthemetropolitanarea.Upstreamoftheregionalandlocalsystemsareoveramillionconnectionstoprivateproperties,includinganestimated7,500milesofprivatesewerlaterals.Servicelateralpipestoover400,000homeswereconstructedpriorto1970frombrittlematerialsthatarepastdesignlifeandcontributeanestimated20%to80%ofI/Iintheregion.

TheMCESI/Iprogrambeganin2004toaddresssourcesofI/Iinthelocalwastewatersystems.Through2016,over50communitieshaveparticipatedinI/Imitigationworkplansandhavereportedover$160millionofinvestmentsintolocalandprivateinfrastructure.Aftercompletionoftheworkplan,manycommunitieschosetocontinueinvestinginI/Isourceidentificationandmitigationprojectsaspartofsystemmaintenanceandassetmanagement.

SincethebeginningoftheI/Iprogram,regionalwastewatervolumeshavereducedbyroughlyeightbilliongallonsperyear.Theflowdecreasehasoccurredevenasprecipitationvolumes,rainfallintensities,andpopulationshaveincreased.Thefigurebelowshowsthetrendsinrainfallandregionalwastewaterfrom2005-2015.ThisflowreductioncanbeattributedtoI/Imitigationandwaterconservation.


Figure17

From2007-2015,MCEScompleted$205millionofimprovementstotheregionalinterceptors.MCESwillcontinuetoaddressI/Ithroughlong-rangeplanningandinvestments,including$80to$100millionofmaintenancetotheinterceptorsystemannuallythrough2023.ItisestimatedthatI/Isourcemitigationavoidsbillionsofdollarsinunnecessarycapitalspendingfortheregion.Giventheuncertaintyinpredictingrainfallintensitiesandfrequenciesforthenext20to50years,amorepreciseestimateoftheamountofspendingtoprovideadditionalcapacityforI/Iintheregionalsystemisnotcurrentlyavailable.

AnI/ITaskForcemetin2016toevaluatetheongoingI/IProgram,andtodiscussthetechnicalandfinancialchallengesassociatedwithmitigatingI/Ifromprivatepropertysources.ThetaskforcerecommendedthatMCESdevelopapublicoutreachprogram;supportcommunitiesthroughdevelopmentofmodelordinancesandbestpracticesforprivatepropertymitigationprograms;andpursueconsistentfundingforI/Imitigationfromstateandpotentiallyregionalsources.MCESplanstocompletetheserecommendationsby2019.

Trendsinrainfallandregionalwastewaterannualflow,2005–2015.Source:MetropolitanCouncil


Floodresponseandmitigation

Wastewatertreatmentfacilitiesareprotectedbydikesandfloodwallsthatexceedthelevelofextremefloodingthatoccurredin1965,orgreater.Otheradaptationsincludeauxiliaryequipmentandbackuppumps(topumpfloodwatersoverthefloodwallandintotheeffluentchannel)andstockingofreservefuelduringperiodsofimminentflooding.

Inaddition,theCouncilhasstockpiledgraveltoallowquickconstructionoftemporaryroadaccessduringfloods,andhasahelicoptercompanyoncontingency.Also,atsomesites,dewateringpumpshavebeeninstalledtolowerthegroundwatertableandprotectundergroundinfrastructure.

InfrastructurerehabilitationDespiteCouncilprogramstomitigateinflowandinfiltration,periodsofexcessprecipitationcantaxthewastewatersystem.Ongoingmaintenanceensurescapacityexiststohandleincreasedflowsduringwetweather.TheCouncilhasalsoimplementedaConditionAssessmentProgram,resultingininspectionofmostofthegravityinterceptorsystem.

A1-5ratingsystem,with“5”beingtheworstcondition,isusedtoratetheconditionoftheCouncil’sregionalwastewaterconveyanceinfrastructure.Necessaryimprovementsareprioritizedbasedonconditionandaddressedthroughanongoing$100million/yearcapitalimprovementprogram,whichisfocusedprimarilyonrehabilitation.

AuxiliaryequipmentprovidesbackupserviceatMCESwastewatertreatmentplantsduringfloods,poweroutages,andotheremergencies.Source:MetropolitanCouncil

Maintenanceandrehabilitationofregionalwastewaterconveyanceinfrastructurereducesexcessflowscausedbyunusualperiodsofextendedwetweatherandintensestorms.Source:MetropolitanCouncil


StormwaterPlanningandGreenInfrastructurePilotGrantProgramsResearchandmonitoringhaveshownthatnonpointsourcepollutionishavingadetrimentaleffectonthewaterqualityoflakes,streams,andriversintheMinneapolis–St.Paulmetropolitanarea.Nonpointsourcepollutionisstormwaterrunofffromagriculturalandurbanlandthatenterswetlands,lakes,streams,andriverswithouttreatment.Changesintemperatureandprecipitationpatterns—particularlythosetrendingtowardexcessiveheatandprecipitation—andmoreintensestormslikelyexacerbatedeclinesinsurfacewaterquality.

ThegoalofMetropolitanCouncil’sstormwatergrantprogramistodemonstrateinnovativepracticesthattreatandmanagestormwaterwiththeintentofreducingrunoffvolumeandpollutantsdischargingtoreceivingwatersintheseven-countymetropolitanarea.Thesegrantswillhelpfundanddocumentinnovative,highvisibilitydemonstrationprojectsthatcouldbereplicatedthroughoutthemetroregion.Projectsapprovedforfundingin2016includeactivitieslikestormwatercaptureandreuse,raingardenconstruction,andgroundwaterconservation.$1millionisagainavailableforstormwatergrantfundingin2017.Eligibleentitiesincludewatermanagementorganizationsandsoilandwaterconservationdistricts.ProjectswillbeselectedfromtheapplicantpoolbyearlyJune2017.

Alsoin2017,theCouncilisofferingupto$1millionforone-watergreeninfrastructureprojects,availabletometropolitanareacommunities,tosupportapproachestosolvingwater-relatedproblemsthatacknowledgetheconnectionbetweenwastewater,stormwater,groundwater,andsurfacewater.Morefrequentandintenseraineventsassociatedwithclimatechangeoftentaxtheregion’sagingstormwaterandwastewaterinfrastructure.Theone-watergrantprogramisgearedtowardimplementingsolutionsforcommunitywaterproblemsthatwillprovidemultiplebenefitsforregionalwaterqualityquantityandquality.

MetroTransitMetroTransitprovidesanintegratednetworkofbuses,lightrail,andcommutertrains,aswellasresourcesforthosewhocarpool,vanpool,walk,orbikeinthemetropolitanarea.In2016,MetroTransitprovidedmorethan80millionrides.

MetroTransithasnotdevelopedspecificclimateadaptationstrategies,butinsteadhasfocusedoncreationandimplementationofroute-andfacility-specificbusinesscontinuityplanstoensurerecoveryandresumptionofdisruptedtransitoperationsformanyhazardsituations,rangingfromnaturalhazards(floods,fires,tornados,etc.)tohuman-causedhazards(bombings,riots,etc.).Manyadaptationsofoperationstoclimate-relatedevents,likeestablishingalternativeroutesduringperiodsoflocalizedfloodingorestablishingalternativeoperationsheadquartersduetotornadoorstormdamage,areincludedinthebusinesscontinuityplans.

StatewideclimateadaptationindicatorsWiththegoalofbettertrackingandmonitoringMinnesota’sclimateadaptationprogress,ICATdevelopedfivestatewideindicatorsinlate2015usingtheResults-BasedAccountabilityprocess.WorkingwithconsultantsupportfromMinnesotaManagementandBudget,ICATmembersparticipatedinahalf-dayworkshopinSeptember2015,whichwasfollowedupbyadditionalmeetingsanddiscussionthroughwhichindicatorswereagreeduponbyconsensus.ICATestablishedbaselinesanddatasourcesforeachoftheseindicatorsinfall2016.

Theseindicatorsandaccompanyingbaselineand/ortrenddataaredescribedbelow.


Climateadaptationplanningbystateagencies,localunitsofgovernmentandtribalgovernmentsPurposeofindicator

• Measuredegreetowhichstand-aloneadaptationplansarebeingpreparedbyagencies,localunitsofgovernmentandtribes.

• Alsomeasuredegreetowhichadaptationisbeingincorporatedintoongoingplansandplanning.

Datacollectionstrategy:Onlinesurvey.

Leadagency:MinnesotaPollutionControlAgency

Baseline/ongoingdatasource:17.5%ofsurveyedorganizationsina2016onlinesurveyindicatethattheyhaveatleastonetypeofplanorplanningeffortthatspecificallyaddressesclimateadaptationandresilience.Thisonlinesurveywillberepeatedperiodically(everythreetofiveyears).

DisruptionstothepowergridPurposeofindicator

• Proxymeasureofpreparedness/resilienceforextremeweatherandotherpotentialclimateimpacts.

Datacollectionstrategy:UseexistingdatasourcesfromtheU.S.DepartmentofEnergy.

Leadagency:MinnesotaDepartmentofCommerce

Baseline/ongoingdatasource:Dataareavailablefortheyears2000-2016forMinnesotaSevereWeatherElectricDisturbanceEventsfromreportingfromtheU.S.DepartmentofEnergy,OfficeofElectricityDeliveryandEnergyReliability(ReportOE-417)https://www.oe.netl.doe.gov/oe417.aspx.

Dataindicatethenumberofcustomersaffectedandprovideinsightintotrendsofsevereweatheroccurrencesandtimetoachievetotalpowerrestoration.

Source:MNPollutionControlAgency


Figure18

MinnesotaSevereWeatherElectricDisturbanceEvents(OE-417)–AvailabledatafromEnergy.gov,OfficeofElectricityDeliveryandEnergyReliability(https://www.oe.netl.doe.gov/oe417.aspx)archivesfromtheyear2000through7/5/2016isillustratedinthegraph(FigureprovidedbytheMinnesotaDepartmentofCommerce)ofreportablesevereweatherrelatedelectricgriddisturbancesforMinnesota.

Emergencydepartmentdataforheat-relatedhealthimpactsPurposeofindicator

• Proxymeasureofpreparedness/resilienceforextremeheatonhumanhealth.

Datacollectionstrategy:Useexistingdatasources.

Leadagency:MinnesotaDepartmentofHealth

Baseline/datasource:Dataareavailablefortheyears2000-2014fromtheMDH’sMinnesotaPublicHealthDataAccessPortalathttps://apps.health.state.mn.us/mndata/heat_ed

Thegraphshowsemergencydepartment(ED)visitratesforheat-relatedillnesseswithaveragesummertemperaturesperyear.


Figure19

InflationadjusteddamagesfromextremeweatherPurposeofindicator

• Proxymeasureofpreparedness/resilienceforclimateimpacts.

Datacollectionstrategy

• Useexistingdatasources.

Leadagency:MinnesotaDivisionofHomelandSecurityandEmergencyManagement

Baseline/datasource:Annualcostforeligibledamagesfromfederalandstatedeclareddisasters2000-2016.TheMinnesotaHSEMPublicAssistanceProgramisdesignatedtorestorepublicinfrastructureandpromotesrecoveryforlocal,countyandstategovernments,tribalgovernments,andcertainprivatenonprofits.EacheligibleapplicantwithinthePublicAssistanceProgramwillhaveprojectworksheetscreatedtorepresentestimatedcoststorestoretheirfacilitiesbacktoapre-disastercondition.ThePublicAssistanceProgramisbasedontheStaffordAct,44(CFR)CodeofFederalRegulationsandFEMA’spoliciesandguidanceasoutlinedforeachpresidentialdisaster.Eachdisastervariesduetoitsintensity,durationandtypeofstorm(e.g.,flooding,rainfall,wind)andthereforetheextentofthedamageswillbesubjecttovariousconditionsoftheevent.Minnesota’sStateDisasterfundwascreatedin2014toassistlocalunitsofgovernmentrecoverincaseswhendamagesdonotmeetthefederalthreshold.


Figure20

Sources:https://www.fema.gov/states/minnesotaandHSEM

CanopycoverofurbanandcommunityforestsPurposeofindicator

• Proxymeasureofimplementationofgreeninfrastructurepracticesforclimateadaptationanddegreeofvulnerabilitytoclimatechange.

Datacollectionstrategy

• UseexistingdatasourcesfromDNR.

Leadagency:MinnesotaDepartmentofNaturalResources

Baseline/datasource:TheUSDAForestServicesoftware,i-TreeLandscape,wasusedtooverlaythe2011U.S.GeologicalSurveyNationalLandCoverDatabasewithU.S.CensusBureaudataofU.S.CensusPlacestodefineurbanandcommunityforestrycanopycover.U.S.CensusPlacesisboundarydatadevelopedin2010andisdesignatedbyhighconcentrationsofpopulationof2,500inhabitantsormore.Basedonthemethodprovidedabove,urbanandcommunityforestrycanopycoverwasmeasuredat15.1%in2011.

$-

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2000 2001 2002 2004 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

FEMAandStateDisasterCosts2000-2016

Inflationadjusteddamagecostsinmillions

FEMADisasterCosts StateDisasterCosts

Figure21

MapofU.S.CensusPlaces.AreasinblueareconsideredurbanandcommunityareasinMinnesotaduetopopulationlevelsandarebeingmeasuredforurbanandcommunityforesttreecanopycoverthroughUSForestServicei-Treesoftware.Source:MinnesotaDepartmentofNaturalResources


RecommendationsforactionICAT’svisionisofaresilient,economicallythriving,andhealthyMinnesotathatispreparedforbothshort-andlong-termclimatechangesandweatherextremes.ICAT’sgoalistoencouragestateagenciestoidentifyandimplementmeasurestoassistthestateanditscommunitiesinadaptingtoclimatechange.TheteamrecognizesthatbuildingaresilientMinnesotainthefaceofachangingclimateisacomplexchallenge.

WhileMinnesotastateagenciesarecarryingoutawiderangeofactivitiesrelatedtoadaptationasdescribedinthisreport,additionalopportunitiesalsoexistforagenciestoincreasetheirworktogetheronthisissue.ICAThasidentifiedthefollowingpriorityrecommendationsforneededactioninclimateadaptationbystategovernment.

Thesesixrecommendationswerepresentedindraftformfordiscussiontoparticipantsinthe“AdaptationandResiliency:HowDoWeMeettheChallengesofMinnesota’sChangingClimate?”breakoutsessionattheEQBEnvironmentalCongressonFebruary3,2017,andthewordingbelowreflectsfeedbackreceivedinthatsession.Therecommendationsarenotinpriorityorder.

ICATwillworkin2017tofurtherfleshoutpriorityactionsandworkplansrelatedtotheserecommendations.Theteamrecognizesthatimplementationoftheserecommendationsinvolvesstaffandfinancialresourcesanddependsuponincreasedcollaborationamongstateagencies.

1. Buildgreaterresiliencetoextremeprecipitation.• Identifypriorityrisksfromcurrentandprojectedextremeprecipitationthatthreatensstateand

localinfrastructure,environmentalquality,health,ecosystems,publicsafety,andeconomicdevelopment.

• Developstateagencyactionplansincludingspecificstepstoincreaseresiliencytotheseimpactsandimplementpriorityprojectstoaddresskeyvulnerabilities,andasappropriate,integratefloodandflashfloodresilienceintoexistingplansandplanningmechanisms.o Keyagenciesforimplementation:MinnesotaBoardofWaterandSoilResources,Minnesota

DivisionofHomelandSecurityandEmergencyManagement,MinnesotaDepartmentofNaturalResources,MinnesotaPollutionControlAgency,MinnesotaDepartmentofAgriculture,MinnesotaDepartmentofTransportation,MinnesotaDepartmentofEmploymentandEconomicDevelopment,MinnesotaEnvironmentalQualityBoard,MetropolitanCouncil,MinnesotaDepartmentofMilitaryAffairs

2. IdentifyopportunitiestostrengthentheclimateresilienceandhealthofvulnerablepopulationsofMinnesotansacrossstateagencyprogramsandthroughcooperationwithlocalgovernments.• Protecthealthofvulnerablepopulationsfromclimateimpacts,includingflooding,heat,reduced

airquality(ozone,pollen,wildfire,dust),vector-bornedisease,anddrought.• Developtoolsthatindividualcommunitiesatthecountyorcitylevelcanusetobetterincrease

theresilienceoftheirvulnerablepopulations.o Keyagenciesforimplementation:MinnesotaDepartmentofHealth,MinnesotaPollution

ControlAgency,MetropolitanCouncil,MinnesotaDivisionofHomelandSecurityandEmergencyManagement,MinnesotaEnvironmentalQualityBoard


3. Increasefocusonpreservingnaturalandrestoredterrestrialandaquaticecosystemsandhabitattoincreaseresilienceofwildlifeandnativeplants.• Developcontiguousmigrationcorridorsforwildlifeandnativeplantsthatwillincreaseresilience

ofMinnesota’snaturalandrestoredterrestrialandaquaticcommunitiestoclimatechangeimpacts,withpriorityfocusonpreviouslyidentifiedpopulationsmostatrisk.o Keyagenciesforimplementation:MinnesotaDepartmentofNaturalResources,Minnesota

BoardofWaterandSoilResources,MinnesotaPollutionControlAgency,MinnesotaDepartmentofMilitaryAffairs,MinnesotaEnvironmentalQualityBoard

4. Strengthenagriculturalwatermanagementeffortstoincreaseresiliencetoclimatechangeimpacts.• Mitigateincreasedamountandintensityofprecipitationanddrought,includingthrough

agronomic,soilconservation,soilhealth,irrigation,anddrainagewatermanagementpractices.• Reduceerosion,promoteinfiltration,managewaterretentionandrunoff,andimprove

resiliencetodroughtthroughcropselectionandmanagement,andsoilandwatermanagementofcropland.o Keyagenciesforimplementation:MinnesotaDepartmentofAgriculture,MinnesotaBoardof

WaterandSoilResources,MinnesotaDepartmentofNaturalResources,MinnesotaPollutionControlAgency,MinnesotaEnvironmentalQualityBoard

5. Increasefocusonmanagingclimateimpactsincities,towns,andotherpopulationcenters.• Reduceurbanheatislandandotherclimateimpactsthroughapproachesthatwillpreserveand

expandtreecanopy,incorporatetreesandvegetationintocompletestreetdesign,encourageuseofperviousandcoolpavingmaterials,usecoolcoloredandgreenroofs,reducegenerationofwasteheatfrombuildingsandvehicles,andincorporateenergyefficiency,renewableenergy,infrastructureupgrades,andprinciplesofresiliencyandsustainabilityinbuildingdesigntostrengthenourbuiltenvironment.o Keyagenciesforimplementation:MinnesotaPollutionControlAgency,Minnesota

DepartmentofCommerce,MinnesotaDepartmentofTransportation,MetropolitanCouncil,MinnesotaDepartmentofNaturalResources,MinnesotaEnvironmentalQualityBoard

6. Strengthenourclimateinformationinfrastructuretosupportclimateadaptationpractices.• Enhancethestate’scapacitytocollect,analyze,shareandcommunicatebothmeasuredand

projectedclimatedataatallscalestohelpensurethatthepeople,communities,andorganizationsinallregionsofMinnesotacanbetterplanfor,respondto,andwithstandtheimpactsofongoingandanticipatedclimatictrendsthroughimplementingclimateadaptationpractices.o Keyagenciesforimplementation:MinnesotaDepartmentofNaturalResources,

MetropolitanCouncil,MinnesotaDepartmentofHealth,MinnesotaPollutionControlAgency,MinnesotaEnvironmentalQualityBoard

Inadditiontothespecificrecommendationsabove,ICATalsorecommendsthatMinnesotastategovernmentacceleratetheincorporationofclimateadaptationintoallaspectsofstateagencyoperations.Thiscanbeaccomplishedthroughavarietyofmethods,suchasGovernor’sExecutiveOrder,Legislativedirective,commissioner-ledagencyoperationalorders,agencystrategicplanningprocesses,programbudgetinganddevelopment,andstafftraining.


ICATalsorecognizesthatstategovernmentwillnotbeabletofullyachievethecomplexandevolvinggoalofclimateadaptationonitsown.Itwillbenecessaryandimportanttobuildandnurturepartnershipsonclimateadaptationamongstategovernmentandfederal,tribal,andlocalgovernments,highereducationalinstitutions,theprivatesector,nonprofitorganizations,communitymembers,andothercollaborators.Asavehicleforfocusingthiscollaboration,ICATrecommendsthatMinnesotastategovernmentengageinacomprehensiveeffortalongwithpublicandprivatepartnerstodevelopamultistakeholderstatewideclimateadaptationplanby2020.

ResourcesHarding,K.J.,andP.K.Snyder(2014),ExaminingfuturechangesinthecharacterofCentralU.S.warm-seasonprecipitationusingdynamicaldownscaling,J.Geophys.Res.Atmos.,119,doi:10.1002/2014JD022575.

Harding,K.J.,andP.K.Snyder(2015),UsingdynamicaldownscalingtoexaminemechanismscontributingtotheintensificationofCentralU.S.heavyrainfallevents,J.Geophys.Res.Atmos.,120,doi:10.1002/2014JD022819.

MelilloJ.,Richmond,T.,andYohe,G.,2014.AnassessmentfromtheU.S.GlobalChangeResearchProgramtoinformthepublicwithscientificinformationandmethodsregardingclimatechange.

Pryor,S.C.,D.Scavia,C.Downer,M.Gaden,L.Iverson,R.Nordstrom,J.Patz,andG.P.Robertson,2014:Ch.18:Midwest.ClimateChangeImpactsintheUnitedStates:TheThirdNationalClimateAssessment,J.M.Melillo,Terese(T.C.)Richmond,andG.W.Yohe,Eds.,U.S.GlobalChangeResearchProgram,418-440.doi:10.7930/J0J1012N.

Minnesota GreenStep Cities grew out of a report to the 2009 Legislature. The program is governed by a public-private partnership of state agencies and non-governmental organizations and is led by the MPCA.

GreenStep Cities is a free assistance program for all Minnesota cities that supports and recognizes implementation of 29 sustainability best practices. The best practices focus on cost savings, quality of life and energy use reductions that encourage a culture of innovation. As of June 2017, 110 cities (and three Tribal Nations), large and small, encompassing over 42% of the state’s population, have joined and been recognized as Step One cities in this voluntary program, which was launched by the League of Minnesota Cities at their June 2010 conference.

Cities that implement a minimum number of best practices within the five categories below will be recognized as Step Two and Step Three GreenStep cities. Each best practice can be implemented by completing one or more specific actions from a list of four to eight actions. A city’s accomplishments are listed and recognized on the GreenStep website. Measuring city performance metrics will garner Step Four & Step Five recognition.

Visit www.MnGreenStep.org to learn more about this program, to see what cities have accomplished, and to understand how your city can become involved.

GreenStep’s 29 Best Practices Buildings and Lighting

1. Efficient Existing Public Buildings: Benchmark energy usage, identify savings opportunities, and work with utilities and others to implement cost-effective energy and sustainability improvements.

2. Efficient Existing Private Buildings: Provide incentives for energy, water and sustainability improvements in existing buildings and building sites.

3. New Green Buildings: Construct new buildings to meet or qualify under a green building framework.

4. Efficient Outdoor Lighting and Signals: Improve the efficiency of public lighting and signals.

5. Building Reuse: Create economic and regulatory incentives for redeveloping and repurposing existing buildings before building new.

Land Use

6. Comprehensive Plans: Adopt a Comprehensive Plan and tie regulatory ordinances to it.

7. Resilient City Growth: Promote financial and environmental sustainability by enabling and encouraging higher density housing and commercial land use.

8. Mixed Uses: Develop efficient and healthy land patterns that generate community wealth.

9. Efficient Highway- and Auto-Oriented Development: Adopt commercial development and design standards for auto-oriented development corridors and clusters.

10. Natural Resource Conservation Design: Adopt development ordinances or processes that protect natural systems and valued community assets.

and its partners

http://www.mngreenstep.org/

http://greenstep.pca.state.mn.us/bestPracticesDetail.cfm?bpid=1










Transportation

11. Living Streets: Create a network of green complete streets that improves city quality of life and adds value to surrounding properties.

12. Mobility Options: Promote active living and alternatives to single-occupancy car travel.

13. Efficient City Fleets: Implement a city fleet investment, operations and maintenance plan.

14. Demand-Side Travel Planning: Implement Travel Demand Management and Transit-Oriented Design in service of a more walkable city.

Environmental Management

15. Sustainable Purchasing: Adopt environmentally preferable purchasing practices and policies.

16. Urban Forests: Add city tree and plant cover that increases community health, wealth and quality of life.

17. Stormwater Management: Minimize the volume of and pollutants in rainwater runoff by maximizing green infrastructure.

18. Parks and Trails: Support active lifestyles and property values by enhancing green infrastructure.

19. Surface Water Quality: Improve local water bodies to sustain their long-term ecological function and community benefits.

20. Efficient Water and Wastewater Systems: Assess and improve drinking water and wastewater systems and related facilities.

21. Septic Systems: Implement an effective management program for decentralized wastewater systems.

22. Solid Waste Reduction: Increase waste reduction, reuse and recycling.

23. Local Air Quality: Prevent generation of local air contaminants to improve community health.

Economic and Community Development

24. Benchmarks & Community Engagement: Adopt outcome measures for GreenStep and other city sustainability efforts, and engage community members in ongoing education, discussion, and campaigns.

25. Green Business Development: Support expansion of a greener, more resilient business sector.

26. Renewable Energy: Remove barriers to and encourage installation of renewable energy generation capacity.

27. Local Food: Strengthen local food and fiber production and access.

28. Business Synergies: Network/cluster businesses to achieve better energy, economic and environmental outcomes.

29. Climate Adaptation & Community Resilience: Plan and prepare for extreme weather, adapt to changing climatic conditions, and foster stronger community connectedness and social and economic vitality.



















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MN GreenStep Cities: 2017 Summary Charts

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MN GreenStep Cities: 2017 Summary Charts

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Minnesota GreenStep Schools Sustainable Best Practices Framework: Phase I www.mngreenstepschools.org

Executive Summary Overview – June 2017 Draft

“Minnesota GreenStep Schools Sustainable Best Practices Framework-Phase I,” is a voluntary statewide best practices framework for public and private K-12 schools to advance their building and grounds sustainability, health and well-being of students and staff, and student environmental education achievement. The project is funded by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) through an Environmental Assistance Grant. The resulting program design framework will be ready to pilot. The project will fill the need for a consistent and beginner-friendly green schools framework, and builds from the successful delivery model of Minnesota GreenStep Cities and the nationally recognized green school performance areas of Green Ribbon Schools. The project connects existing state and private programs and expertise with schools and districts in the context of a step-by-step "on-ramp" to challenge, assist and recognize schools as they move toward higher performance in reducing environmental impacts and costs, providing healthy learning environments, and integrating environmental education. The project team is led by the University of Minnesota Institute on the Environment, with US Green Building Council and its Minnesota Green Schools Coalition, and an Advisory Group.

Minnesota GreenStep Schools Outcome Areas

The term “green” has many interpretations, as does the term “green schools.” In this document, green schools are defined as schools that provide benefits in three “Outcome Areas”:

1. Reduced Environmental Impact and Costs

2. Improved Health and Wellness

3. Effective Environmental and Sustainability Education

Participation

The primary focus of Minnesota GreenStep Schools is institutional participation of school districts and individual schools, both of which can receive recognition through the program. But the program also offers participation for individuals who work on school greening activities as “Green Step Team Members,” and the “GreenStep Community” such as organizations, businesses, and other groups wishing to support the efforts of districts and schools with information, materials, time, or financial support.

Institutional Participation Process

To participate, a district or school will pass a resolution authorizing participation, provide some general information, and a contact person. For formally establishing this intention, they will have a web page where they will be recognized as a Step 1 District or School. After this, the district or school will complete Best Practice Actions, or BPAs and document them on the website until they’ve earned enough for the next step level of recognition. This continues until step level 4, when BPAs are paired with performance monitoring to better assess the benefits that are accruing. Districts and schools work toward the long-range goal of step level 10 – a future super-high-performance school to inspire staff, students and the community to aim high, while taking do-able actions. The following illustration shows the process. Institutional Participation Process Illustration

Next Steps

The Minnesota GreenStep Schools Sustainable Best Practices Framework-Phase I will be complete in 2017 resulting in a document to define the program features and content. Additional funding will be sought to thoroughly pilot the framework, create an interactive website, and develop a program with organizational support and affiliation structures in place.

1 | GreenStep Family of Programs

GreenStep Counties GreenStep Businesses

GreenStep GreenStep Townships Faith Groups Concept Paper for Creating a GreenStep Family of Programs Very rough draft ideas (1/13/17) Basic steps have been taken since 2008 to develop a GreenStep Family of Programs. What’s missing is redirection of existing state staff to coordinate and manage each sector program with between 0.5 and 1.0 FTE each. The essence of developing multiple GreenStep programs under one GreenStep umbrella is that, while the TECHNICAL aspects of taking environmental actions are the same regardless of the context (sector), the PEOPLE aspects of taking actions are often very much different depending on the sector.

o For example, cutting energy use or composting is pretty much the same whether it’s a city building or a county building, but we know, for example, that getting school children and school staff to compost requires a very different manual than, say, the manual that congregants need to compost in their social hall!

What? Ø A 5-10-year strategy for state agency staff to accelerate sustainability achievement state-wide and move

beyond regulatory minimums in a proven cost-effective manner, in different sectors, by using proven best practices

Ø Challenge, assistance and recognition programs for different sectors that build off a common brand, concept and resources

Why? Ø Leverage the statewide GreenStep Cities brand

Ø Leverage existing GreenStep Cities best practices, web architecture, MPCA program management protocols

Ø Leverage the partnerships with and use staffing from other state agencies, the University, trade

associations, and non-profits

Ø Provide an enduring, evolving, public framework and user-documented web site through which existing state staff can better and at a faster pace achieve and document their environmental outcomes through actions completed at the local level in Minnesota communities

2 | GreenStep Family of Programs

How? Ø Deploy between 0.5 and 1.0 FTE of an existing agency staff person in the Assistance Division to coordinate

the development and management of, with external partners, each new sector-based GreenStep program

Ø Expand partnerships through other state agencies, institutions, non profits, business sector, etc.

Ø Determine funding for each program (state money, external sources, grants, etc.)

Ø Increase dedicated MN.IT time to GreenStep web site to eventually equal one FTE

Ø Consider favored placement for GreenStep participants (i.e. GreenCorps placement in member locations, financial assistance, targeted programs, etc.)

When? Sector Needs

Based on the current state of sector development and sector analysis, new GreenStep programs may be initiated in the following order and require the following key steps:

1. SCHOOLS

a. Current MPCA grant complete mid-2017 b. Grant will flesh-out program but not pilot it. Next funding source? c. Needs greater MDE support than the current very-part-time person dedicated to the allied

national Green Ribbon School program d. Program housing needs to be determined at UofM, MDE, MPCA, or other.

2. BUSINESSES

a. Best practices and concept plan completed by MPCA Assistance staff b. Needs one key business partner (i.e. the MN Chamber of Commerce)

3. TRIBAL NATIONS

a. Pilot currently underway under the umbrella of GreenStep Cities b. Needs commitment of tribal staffing and grant money upfront, as work in a tribal context is

complex and needs serious buy-in c. Action Plan initiated and further discussions needed. Most efficient would be development parallel

to or as a branch of a county program.

4. COUNTIES/REGIONS a. Initial assessment (3-page memo and action plan) of program needs completed in October 2012 b. Strong support from individual counties and multiple requests to MPCA to create a program c. Needs support from Association of MN Counties

5. TOWNSHIPS

a. Program concept was in original 2008 scoping paper for GreenStep Cities b. Probably should be developed in tandem with Counties program c. Needs support from MN Association of Towns and Townships

6. FAITH GROUPS

a. Program concept was in original 2008 scoping paper for GreenStep Cities b. Some program best practices developed in the Environmental Education Toolkit for

Congregations (Hennepin County: 2011) c. Needs support from MN Interfaith Power and Light

7. OTHER IDEAS

a. Utilities b. Farms

EQB Board Packet July 2017 · 2017-07-07 · This month’s meeting will take place in the...

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Transcript of EQB Board Packet July 2017 · 2017-07-07 · This month’s meeting will take place in the...