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Don't Burn Your Garbage
Reprinted from the Minnesota Lakes Association Lake Bulletin, March-April 2004
Many people around Minnesota still use on-site disposal methods like "backyard burning" to dispose of their household wastes. From burning waste in fire pits and woodstoves to the traditional burn barrel, over two percent of Minnesota's municipal solid waste (MSW) is still managed in this way. For most Minnesotans, however, it is AGAINST THE LAW to burn or bury household wastes - it has been illegal since 1969. Burning garbage releases toxic air pollutants that can contaminate our waters. Dioxin is the key toxin of concern as a potent human carcinogen that is especially harmful for pregnant women, children, and the elderly. Just one burn barrel can produce as much or more than a full-scale municipal waste combustor burning 200 tons/day. For more information, see the Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance web site at
www.moea.state.mn.us/reduce/burnbarrel.cfm
for information on backyard burning or the Environmental Protection Agency at
http://www.epa.gov/msw/backyard/ .
Solving Wastewater Disposal Problems when Individual Septic Systems No Longer Service
by John Alden, TMLA Watershed Coordinator
TEN MILE'S NORTH SHORE PROJECT: In 1999, after five years of intense planning, 22 property owners on the North Shore formed themselves into a Subordinate Service District under Shingobee Township in order to develop a common wastewater disposal system. They needed the District approach because many of their septic systems were failing and/or non-conforming and because most did not have enough land to address the problem individually. Their new system has been in operation for several years now, and while not problem free, it has addressed these lakeshore owners' need for an environmentally sound way to dispose of sewerage.
WHAT ARE SUBORDINATE SERVICE DISTRICTS? Subordinate Service Districts (SSDs) are authorized by Minnesota Statute 365A. Under the statute, Sanitary engineers design "environmental" SSDs for Townships to use as a long-term management tool to provide needed services to local neighborhoods. Like the North Shore SSD on Ten Mile Lake, formation and operation of SSDs often involves State agencies, County oversight, federal participation and Township agreement.
HOW IS AN SSD FORMED? The State suggests that the following process may be needed to get an SSD into operation:
STEP I:
 | Neighbors organize informational meetings with Township and County officials |
| Neighbors petition their Township Board, identifying the area of service and the extent of need |
| Neighbors and Township contract with an engineering firm for preliminary research and design |
| The engineering firm provides preliminary cost estimates for any construction projects |
| Neighbors and Township work with the County to secure tentative right-of-way and easements |
STEP II:
| Neighbors, Township and County hold public hearing on cost estimates, construction design, tentative financing, and research | ||||||||||
| Neighbors, Township and County prepare a resolution creating an
Environmental Subordinate Service District, which identifies:
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| Township publishes resolution in a qualified newspaper: District may begin in 60 days | ||||||||||
| Record documents with:
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| Neighbors, Township and County prepare the Ordinance governing the SSD |
STEP III:
| Engineers complete construction design, with specifications |
| Township lets bids for construction, including electrical construction (a bid bond, performance bond and payment bond are required) |
| Township seeks and begins securing working capital and prepared certificates of indebtedness, bonding, etc. |
| Township secures insurance for sanitary collection system |
| Township purchases and/or secures easements and drain field site |
| Township signs construction contract and construction begins |
ESTABLISHING AN ENVIRONMENTAL SUBORDINATE SERVICE DISTRICT is not simple, quick, easy, or free, but in certain situations it may be the only solution to difficult wastewater problems. TML homeowners who are interested in learning more about the costs and benefits of ESSDs can gain more information from John Alden, TMLA's Watershed Coordinator, who is also a Licensed Septic System Designer and Evaluator (Tel.: 547-3114), and/or from John Sumption of the Cass County Environmental Services Department (Tel.: 547-7256).
