Rural and Tribal Partnerships: How They Benefit Participants and the Environment

Community Context solution to the wastewater problem. Upon final review, however, city leaders realized In the mid 1980’s the City of Garrison, that this effort would not be affordable for located in north central Minnesota, was the residents. having problems with septic system failure at numerous locations throughout the city. During this time the city was also in Effluent from failing onsite septic systems contact with the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, was surfacing, contaminating groundwater Natural Resources Department, who was and making its way to Mille Lacs Lake, a conducting environmental studies of Mille major fishery in the state. The city’s Lacs Lake. Tribal representatives and city proximity to the Twin Cities, Minneapolis - officials began meeting in the late 1980’s St. Paul, Garrison was facing increased to discuss their mutual wastewater population growth. The city was proactive problems, and in early 1992 they began and began take steps to resolve their discussing the creation of a Sanitary wastewater issues by contacting District (District) that would serve the consultants and federal and state agencies needs of the tribe, the City of Garrison, that could assist them to address the Garrison and Kathio Townships. problem. However, with high groundwater, bogs, lakes, and poor soil conditions, the Further discussions involved a partnership city’s initial efforts were halted due to through which the Mille Lacs Band would location limitations for discharging the provide and manage the area’s wastewater treated wastewater effluent. treatment facility and the District would pay for the development of the wastewater Later in the 1980’s the city embarked on a collection infrastructure. The group also second major effort to address their onsite discussed potential financing for the septic system failure issues. City staff project, from both state and federal contacted state and federal agencies agencies. MAP assisted in coordinating staff including the Minnesota Pollution Control of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and the Agency (MPCA), Minnesota Department of City of Garrison to work together to protect Natural Resources (MNDNR), Minnesota the groundwater and Mille Lacs Lake. Public Facilities Authority (MNPFA), USDA Rural Development (USDA RD) and the In the mid-1990’s Garrison, Kathio, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineer (COE) and the the tribe partnered with Crow Wing and national nonprofit organization the Rural Mille Lacs counties to form the District. Community Assistance Program’s (RCAP) With MAP’s assistance, these government Midwestern Partner, the Midwest entities formed a partnership to conduct Assistance Program (MAP). public hearings to establish support for the District and address failing onsite septic In addition, the city contacted local systems within the District. As a result, a legislators and U.S. Congressman Oberstar petition to establish the District was drawn to garner support for the project. The city up, signed, and submitted to MPCA for set up meetings to discuss the magnitude review and approval. In August 1999, the of the problem and to assist in focusing Garrison, Kathio West Mille Lac Lake their efforts on finally addressing the Sanitary District (GKWMLL) was formally community’s wastewater problem. The city approved. contracted with an engineering firm to study the problem and prepare reports With the assistance of MAP and other required for federal funding assistance. A agencies, the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe grant-writing firm was also retained to continued exploring wastewater treatment identify funding sources and submit applications to achieve an affordable

Rural and Tribal Partnerships: How They Benefit Participants and the Environment 2

alternatives and the elimination of effluent was made possible due to the dedication discharges into Mille Lacs Lake. The Band and focus of the Mille Lacs Band and contracted for engineering services to District staff and their goals to: develop a treatment facility and the District contracted for engineering services to • to protect groundwater from prepare an Updated Facility Plan for the contamination collection system and to prepare an • prevent pollution from reaching Environmental Assessment Worksheet. Mille Lacs Lake

• provide environmentally effective The Organization/Agency wastewater treatment services, and • provide affordable services to In early 2001, the Band and the District residents and businesses. agreed to create Mille Lacs Wastewater Inc. to build and manage the wastewater The joint efforts and focused commitment treatment facility. Representatives from of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, GKWMLL both the Band and the District met to Sanitary District, City of Garrison, Garrison negotiate a contract to treat the District’s Township, Kathio Township, Crow Wing wastewater effluent. Permitting for the County and Mille Lacs County working facility was held up by an appeal, but the together is resulting in the development of Band conducted a public hearing and the a sound wastewater treatment and appeal was denied and the NPDES permits collection system that benefits not only the were issued and a Sewer Extension permit participants, but also protects the was also approved. environment of the region.

MAP assisted the District to secure funding Community Impact sources for the project by submitting the project priority reports to the state, The GKWMLL District has allowed for the coordinating activities between the District following positive Community Impacts: and MNDNR, conducting public hearings, and submitting applications to state and • Expansion of existing businesses federal agencies, including the State and the creation of new jobs in the Revolving Loan Fund and Community rural area. Development Block Grants. • Development of new housing and businesses served by district sewer The District received approval from the services. COE, for #569 funds (Northeast Minnesota • Consensus of a long term Environmental Initiative Program) and development plan that has been #219 funding in 2002 and notice of Finding adopted by participating entities. of No Significant Impact (FONSI) in 2003. • Protection of Mille Lacs Lake from The USDA RD agency and MNPFA awarded nutrient loading. funds for the project. The District sent out • Protection of area groundwater bids for Phase I of the project in 2004 and (most residents use shallow wells as would like Phase II to be bid in early 2005 a drinking water source). so that construction can start in the spring. • Expansion of local tax bases by The project is projected to be completed in making unbuildable lots now 2006-2007. buildable with sewer service.

The District is continuing to seek out additional funding for the project. The final Lessons Learned estimates of cost are: Mille Lacs Band for treatment facility $16 million and for the Lessons learned in development of the District collection $17.1 million. The project GKWMLL Sanitary District:

Rural and Tribal Partnerships: How They Benefit Participants and the Environment 3

• Patience is a learned virtue over time. Rural Housing and • Always allow extra time for local, Economic Development Gateway regional and state issues. U.S. Dept of Housing & Urban Development • Keep the public informed through 451 7th Street, S.W., Room 7137 meetings, hearings and media Washington, DC 20410 releases. 1-877-RURAL-26 (1-877-787-2526) • Realize the first identified solution www.hud.gov/ruralgateway/ may not end up being the approved solution. • Representation from all groups must be involved in the process. • Strong and open leadership with focus is essential.