Citizen's Environmental Quality Committee

Dec. 11, 2023 Citizens Environmental Quality Committee Winona, Minnesota 55987 Dear Committee Members: The next meeting of the Citizens Environmental Quality Committee meeting will be held on Thursday, Dec. 14th, 2023 at 4:30 p.m. in the Misato Room at City Hall. 1. Call to Order 2. Review of Nov. Meeting Minutes 3. Xcel Energy Community Solar Proposal 4. Winona County Aquatic Invasive Species Plan 5. McKinstry Energy Performance Contracting 6. Lake Winona Updates 7. EPA Rural Environmental Public Health Needs Prize Competition 8. Other Business 9. Adjournment Sincerely, John Howard Natural Resources Sustainability Coordinator  CITIZENS ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE AGENDA ITEM: 3. Xcel Energy Proposal for Legacy Community Solar Gardens PREPARED BY: John Howard DATE: Dec. 14, 2023 Xcel Energy has a proposal (attached) before the MN Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to decrease the rate that community solar subscribers are reimbursed. The City is a large subscriber with two different vendors that would be significantly impacted by this change. If Xcel’s proposal is approved, the City should have the opportunity to renegotiate with the solar companies as spelled out in our contracts. However, the vast majority of savings would almost certainly be lost. Instead of a projected savings of just over $2.97 million over the life of the contract, the new Xcel proposal would mean savings of just under $920,000. As background, the City of Winona signed community solar subscriber contracts lasting for 25 years of solar production with SolarStone and GreenMark solar in 2017 and 2019, respectively. These gardens went online in 2019 and 2020. The agreements are structured where the City pays the solar farm for the right to a credit on our Xcel bills (13 cents per kilowatt hour of solar credit to SolarStone and 12.89 for the Greenmark gardens), the solar farm provides the electricity to the electric grid, and Xcel Energy pays the subscriber back on each month’s bill based on the prevailing utility rate. The City’s contract cemented in our rates to the solar company for the full 25 years of the contract, but the bill credit reimbursement varies. Xcel Energy’s proposal would significantly lower what they pay back to subscribers, and also locks in rates for the remaining years of the contract. Year 1 Change City Cost per Current Proposed Change from Meter Type kWh Credit Rate 2024 Rate current Small General $ 0.13 $ 0.17969 $ 0.1185 $ -0.06119 General $ 0.13 $ 0.15186 $ 0.1185 $ -0.03336 Staff took a request for the City to officially comment on this topic to the first meeting in December. That letter is attached for reference. Diagram of community solar model. Image credit: ILSR  City of Winona 207 LAFAYETTE STREET PO BOX 378 WINONA, MN 55987-0378 507-457-8269 Dec. 7, 2023 Will Seuffert Executive Secretary Minnesota Public Utilities Commission 121 7th Place East, Suite 350 St. Paul, MN 55101 RE: PROPOSAL FOR SWITCHING ARR-ERA COMMUNITY SOLAR GARDENS TO APPROPRIATE VOS RATE DOCKET NO. E002/M-13-867 Dear Mr. Seuffert, The City of Winona writes today to express our opposition to Xcel Energy’s proposal to replace the Applicable Retail Rate (ARR) with the 2017 Value of Solar (VOS) rate sheet for legacy community solar gardens. This would have significant financial impacts ($2.05 million in lost savings) that would be borne by the City of Winona, and therefore its taxpayers. Simply put, Xcel Energy’s proposal goes against the public interests of the Winona community. As an early adopter of community solar gardens, the City of Winona has subscriptions in multiple community solar gardens that are all ARR gardens. The City’s contracts run for 25 years, and come with a flat rate that we pay to the garden operator. These contracts were predicated on a 25 year commitment to the ARR rate, which we knew would fluctuate, but never expected to be replaced completely. The City of Winona also takes exception to the lack of subscriber outreach and engagement by Xcel Energy. Nowhere on or in our bills or in any other communication was this proposal disclosed. Given the millions of dollars this proposal would cost the City of Winona, it is flatly unacceptable to never be notified. There are almost certainly thousands of community solar subscribers who have no idea that their bill credits are proposed to be substantially changed. Should Xcel Energy’s proposal be allowed, many other public entities would similarly be impacted like Winona, possibly much more severely. This dimension is wholly lacking in Xcel Energy’s discussion of benefits to the public interest. Please retain an ARR format as designed and implemented with the ARR legacy gardens up to this point. Sincerely, Mayor Scott Sherman  STATE OF MINNESOTA BEFORE THE MINNESOTA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION Katie J. Sieben Chair Valerie Means Commissioner Matthew Schuerger Commissioner Joseph K. Sullivan Commissioner John A. Tuma Commissioner IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF Docket No. E002/M-13-867 NORTHERN STATES POWER COMPANY, D/B/A XCEL ENERGY, FOR APPROVAL OF Compliance Filing on Proposal for ITS PROPOSED COMMUNITY SOLAR Switching ARR-era Community Solar GARDEN PROGRAM Gardens to Appropriate VOS Rate INTRODUCTION Northern States Power Company, doing business as Xcel Energy, submits this proposal for switching Applicable Retail Rate (ARR)-era Community Solar Gardens (CSGs) to the appropriate Value of Solar (VOS) rate in compliance with the Minnesota Public Utility Commission’s June 27, 2023 Order in this docket. The estimated impact of this proposal is a reduction of approximately $63 million annually in fuel clause costs due to lower CSG bill credits. I. BACKGROUND For many years, the Company has expressed concerns about the costs of CSGs to customers who do not subscribe to a CSG (non-subscribing customers) due to high bill credit rates for customers who subscribe to CSGs. At the May 11, 2023 Commission hearing on our 2023 ARR Calculation filing, Commissioners indicated they are interested in exploring changes to the ARR-era CSG 1 bill credit rates to decrease costs to non-subscribing customers. As summarized in the Order: Multiple parties commented that additional changes to the 2023 ARR may implicate complex issues of fact and law that are inadequately addressed in the current record. The Commission finds that the record does not support 1 ARR-era CSGs include CSGs with applications deemed complete beginning in 2014 when the CSG program began and ending with applications deemed completed on or before December 31, 2016.  modifying the ARR to remove customer charges and reduce demand charges for the 2023 ARR at this time. However, the Commission finds that the current record raises questions about whether calculating CSG bill credits based on the ARR, as currently defined, remains consistent with the public interest and other statutory requirements of Minn. Stat. § 216B.1641. To further augment the record and explore the relevant legal and factual issues more fully, the Commission will require Xcel to develop and file a detailed proposal for transitioning ARR-era CSGs to the appropriate VOS rate. II. ARR TO VOS PROPOSAL In compliance with the Commission’s Order, the Company proposes to move all of the ARR-era CSGs to the 2017 VOS Vintage Year Bill Credit Rate. In the following paragraphs, the Company describes this proposal in further detail and explains how the proposal simplifies the transition for all parties and minimizes cost and manual effort for more than 700 CSGs currently receiving the ARR. A. Methodology In consideration of the regulatory schedule and the Company’s internal administrative processes, we propose to implement the changeover for all production on and after April 1, 2024. If ordered by the Commission, we propose to start all the ARR-era CSGs at Year 7 of the 2017 VOS Vintage moving to the next year’s rate every year on January 1 (i.e., on January 1, 2025 they would move to Year 8). This plan is based on the 2017 VOS Vintage because it is the year the Company was ordered to begin using VOS rates for CSGs, and the rate table has been approved by the Commission and is in our tariffs. This plan is based on Year 7 of the vintage because it represents when the majority of the ARR-era CSGs became commercially operational. 2 ARR-era CSGs that continue to get credits after the Year 25 of the 2017 VOS Vintage Year Bill Credit Rate, would continue to be credited at the 2017 VOS Vintage, Year 25 rate for the duration of the 25 year term of the CSG contract 3. If an ARR-era CSG becomes commercially operational after any Commission-ordered transition from ARR to VOS, we propose to start those garden subscribers’ compensation rate at the year in the 2017 VOS Vintage at which the rest of the ARR- era CSGs are being credited. 2 Of the 684 MW of ARR-era CSGs, 505 MW became commercially operational in 2018 and 130 MW became commercially operational in 2019. 3 Some CSGs under the ARR rate achieved commercial operation after 2019. For example if a specific CSG under the ARR rate achieved commercial operation in 2022, and in 2024 the Year 7 rate will apply, the Year 25 rate will apply from 2042 until the end of the 25-year CSG contract term in 2047. 2 This methodology is the most administratively practical of the options considered by the Company. First, the 2017 VOS Vintage rates are already in our billing system and tariffs, avoiding some administrative, technical, and regulatory effort. Second, identifying the set of CSGs that would be subject to rate transition and implementing the change is a manual process, so transitioning to the 2017 VOS vintage will reduce the likelihood of manual errors, and save time, cost, and information technology resources. In addition to the efficiency of relying on an approved and existing rate, the 2017 vintage is representative of the various years the ARR CSGs were “deemed complete.” As show in Table 1, the 2017 VOS Vintage is the second highest VOS bill credit rate that has been approved and tariffed. Table 1: VOS Values VOS Vintage Year Bill Levelized Value First Year Value Credit Rate ($/kWh) ($/kWh) 2014 4 0.1208 0.0940 2015 5 0.1365 0.1075 2016 6 0.1239 0.0995 2017 0.1275 0.1033 2018 0.1202 0.0976 2019 0.1109 0.0904 2020 0.1152 0.0940 2021 0.1104 0.0911 2022 0.1178 0.0965 2023 0.1323 0.1058 2024 7 0.1249 0.0990 The values for the 25 years of the 2017 VOS Vintage Year Bill Credit Rate, as set forth on tariff sheet 9-64.101, are shown in Table 2. 4 2014 rates are not in our tariffs and not approved. 5 2015 rates are not in our tariffs but found to be “correct” in the Commission’s August 6, 2015 ORDER in this docket. 6 2016 rates are not in our tariffs but were approved in the Commission’s September 6, 2016 ORDER in this docket. 7 2024 proposed rates are awaiting Commission action. 3  Table 2: 2017 VOS Vintage Year Bill Credit Rate Values Year Bill Credit Year Bill Credit Year Bill Credit Number Rate ($/kWh) Number Rate ($/kWh) Number Rate ($/kWh) Year 1 $0.1033 Year 10 $0.1269 Year 19 $0.1560 Year 2 $0.1057 Year 11 $0.1299 Year 20 $0.1597 Year 3 $0.1081 Year 12 $0.1329 Year 21 $0.1634 Year 4 $0.1106 Year 13 $0.1360 Year 22 $0.1672 Year 5 $0.1132 Year 14 $0.1391 Year 23 $0.1710 Year 6 $0.1158 Year 15 $0.1424 Year 24 $0.1750 Year 7 $0.1185 Year 16 $0.1457 Year 25 $0.1791 Year 8 $0.1212 Year 17 $0.1490 Year 9 $0.1241 Year 18 $0.1525 B. Financial Impacts i. Bill Credits to CSG Participants To illustrate the bill credit impacts, in Table 3 we show the current 2023 ARR rates and the 2017 VOS Vintage, Year 7 (2024) rate. Table 3: Bill Credit Rates ($/kWh) ARR VOS Rate Change Enhanced CSG > 2017 Vintage, 250 KW (2023) Year 7 (2024) Residential $0.17252 $0.11850 -$0.05402 Small General Service $0.17969 $0.11850 -$0.06119 General Service $0.15186 $0.11850 -$0.03336 Using AC Monthly Production Allocation kWh reported in our second quarter CSG compliance filing, 8 we estimate that there would be nearly $63 million fewer bill credits paid out annually. ii. Decreased Fuel Costs for All Customers CSG bill credits are recovered from all customers through the Company’s fuel clause adjustment (FCA). A decrease in CSG bill credits would correspond to a decrease in the FCA that would benefit all electric customers. An extrapolation of $63 million 8 QUARTERLY COMPLIANCE FILING, July 28, 2023 4 annually over the remaining life of ARR-era gardens could mean a savings of over $1 billion for non-subscribing customers. iii. Costs to Convert ARR CSG to the 2017 VOS Vintage The costs for the changes to the billing system using this methodology would be de minimis. C. Administration i. ARR Rates Differ by Class, VOS Rates Do Not As shown in Table 3, ARR bill credit rates are specific to three customer classes – Residential, Small General Service, and General Service – whereas VOS rates are the same for all classes. Residential subscribers to current ARR CSGs would see a greater decrease to their bill credits than General Service customers. ii. Transitioning ARR-era CSGs Using Existing Processes Our compliance proposal transitions all of the ARR-era CSGs to the same VOS vintage and year. The VOS-era CSGs vintage is determined by the date the individual CSG applications were deemed complete and the date of commercial operation. We considered using a similar methodology to switch ARR-era CSGs to VOS rates but found that it would be administratively burdensome. Also, many of the ARR era CSGs had their applications “deemed complete” at a time when there was no corresponding Commission approved VOS Vintage Year Bill Credit Rate. There are over 700 ARR-era CSGs on our system. Even if a rate aligned with the date that each application was “deemed complete” were available, we would need to determine for each CSG the date the CSG’s application was deemed complete and the date of commercial operation. We would then have to set up each CSG individually in our billing system to start billing in the corresponding vintage, year of the vintage, and with an anniversary date for moving to the next year of the vintage. That alternative methodology would require a significant amount of resources and manual work with higher error potential than automated functions. iii. Costs for More Complicated Methodology If the Commission requires a methodology more complicated than our compliance proposal, the administrative expenses could be significant and could outpace the 5 existing administrative expenses included in the annual Participation Fee on tariff sheet 9-77. The Company may request to increase that fee. D. Benefits i. Public Interest The Company believes it is in the public interest to lower the burden of CSGs on non-subscribing customers. As we have discussed in our annual fuel clause filings, CSGs are a significant cost to all customers. In our 2024 Annual Fuel Forecast proceeding, 9 we forecasted that there will be $249 million of above Locational Marginal Price (LMP) market CSG costs included in the FCA. This results in an annual FCA rate for Minnesota customers that is $9.30/MWh or 24 percent higher than the FCA rate would be without the CSG program. For 2024, CSGs are forecasted to be approximately 5.5 percent of the volume of fuel in the FCA and approximately 23.1 percent of the costs. We note that in the Fuel Clause Reform proceeding we recently filed a proposal to change the allocation methodology for above LMP market CSG costs to allocate costs based on CSG subscription capacity instead of system sales with an alternative proposal to directly assign the costs to CSG subscribers. 10 ii. Predictable and Stable Rates The VOS rates for each applicable year are established for a 25-year term, whereas the ARR is recalculated annually and can fluctuate up and down. Using the VOS rates provides known, steadily escalating rates. E. Tariffs We have included as Attachment A proposed updates to the tariffs that would be needed to implement this compliance proposal. The proposed effective date of each tariff revision is April 1, 2024. The updates include: 9 Docket No. E002/AA-23-153, REPLY COMMENTS, July 31, 2023. 10 Docket No. E999/CI-03-802, LESSONS-LEARNED REPORT, August 15, 2023. The proposal was required by the July 17, 2023 ORDER in Docket No. E002/GR-21-630. 6  Section-Tariff Nature of Change Sheet No. 9-64 Describing when ARR no longer applies, and expanded group of applications that now would be subject to the VOS 9-64.1 Noting that ARR no longer applies 9-64.1a and new Detailed description how the 2017 VOS Vintage Bill Credit 9-64.1b Rates are to be applied 9-64.101 Add language that the 2017 VOS Vintage Bill Credit Rates are also applicable to applications that no longer qualify for the ARR 9-69 Update Bill Credit Rate definition in tariffed contract 9-69.1 Update how Bill Credit Rate is applied in tariffed contract 9-84 Removal of ARR applicability, and expanded VOS applicability in tariffed contract III. LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS The legislature granted the Commission broad authority to ensure the CSG program aligns with the intent of Minnesota Statute § 216B.1641 (the CSG Statute) by granting the Commission authority to “approve, disapprove, or modify a community solar garden program.” (Minn. Stat. § 216B.1641, Subd 1(e)). Any program approved by the Commission must, among other requirements, reasonably allow for the creation, financing, and accessibility of community solar gardens and be consistent with the public interest. (Subd. (1)(e)(1), (4)). Further, this statute provides: (1)(d) The public utility must purchase from the community solar garden all energy generated by the solar garden. The purchase shall be at the rate calculated under section 216B.164, subdivision 10 [(the Value of Solar rate)], or, until that rate for the public utility has been approved by the commission, the applicable retail rate. The 2017 VOS Vintage Year Bill Credit Rate is in our CSG tariff at sheet 9-64.101 and was approved by Commission order issued on September 6, 2016. The original tariff sheet 9-64.101 with this bill credit rate was filed on December 1, 2016. This statute specifically authorizes the use of the VOS rate. The public interest in making this change is supported by the large cross-subsidy in place from our customers who are not subscribers to customers who are subscribers. The change would help to reduce this large cross-subsidy. The April 10, 2023 Reply Comments of the Company in this docket explained in detail at pages 3-13 the Commission’s authority to change the CSG tariff and CSG 7 tariffed contract including the bill credit rate. These legal points may apply here as well and are incorporated here by reference. IV. 2023 LEGISLATIVE CHANGES TO THE CSG STATUTE After the May 11 Hearing on the 2023 ARR, Minnesota passed legislation that made significant changes to the CSG Statute. On August 28, we filed a Response to the Commission on how we intend to comply with these changes and a separate Petition for Tariff Changes. The amended statute includes a carve-out for income-qualified non-subscribing customers to be excluded from the net cost of CSGs in the FCA. Once implemented, this will increase the CSG costs paid for by each non-income-qualified customer because the CSG costs will need to be paid for by a fewer number of customers. This is an additional factor that the Commission may want to consider as part of its broader public interest consideration here. CONCLUSION We look forward to comments on this compliance filing and proposal. 8  CITIZENS ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE AGENDA ITEM: 4. Winona County Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Plan PREPARED BY: John Howard DATE: Dec. 14, 2023 The Winona County Soil and Water Conservation District updated the County’s Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention plan with work from this past season, and new budget items. It is going to the County Board for official approval on Dec. 12th. The plan is attached for CEQC information.  Winona County Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention Plan November 6, 2023 Guidelines for Using AIS Prevention Aid (MN Statute 477A.19) Winona County AIS Mission Statement It is the mission of Winona County to work with Winona County Soil and Water Conservation District to assemble an AIS Task Force to develop and administer programs and strategies that support and enhance the protection of Winona County’s waters through public education and awareness, inventory, mapping, containment and eradication and advisement of effective strategies to the Winona County Board of Commissioners and Soil and Water Conservation District Board. Introduction The spread of Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) has been on the rise in Minnesota for the past 3 decades. These species cause harm to native aquatic populations, water quality and water recreation. It has become clear that once AIS are established in a waterbody, they are extremely costly and nearly impossible to eradicate. Being proactive to contain and manage current AIS infestations and promote Best Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce the risk of transporting AIS has been shown to be effective measures to prevent the spread of harmful AIS. An AIS Task Force has been assembled to assist the Winona County Board of Commissioners and Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) in developing and administering programs and strategies that support and enhance the protection of Winona County’s waters. This task force is comprised of individuals representing public businesses (such as bait shop owners, etc.), community groups and government agencies. Winona County has many water resources which provide wildlife habitat, recreational enjoyment and tourism revenue. Water resources include 243.5 miles of designated trout streams, Lake Winona and Goodview Lake, and the Mississippi River complex. Each resource is unique and can host a variety of AIS. Lake Winona, Goodview Lake and the Mississippi River are listed as infested by DNR. An inventory began in the summer of 2018 to determine the extent of AIS in our county’s waters. Through these efforts, Curly-leaf Pondweed and Reed Canary Grass have been found to be common in many Winona County streams. Rusty Crayfish have been identified in Money Creek and below the Pickwick Mill Dam. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) has developed protocol for conducting an AIS inventory. With the WDNR’s protocol in mind, the SWCD has developed protocol for monitoring AIS in trout streams in coordination with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR), neighboring counties and other agencies. Data collected include the AIS of concern, water resource/location, extent of infestation, date and other pertinent information. Monitoring of AIS infestations is a key aspect of reducing the spread of AIS. It is important to understand and identify pathways of AIS spread between water resources. Special attention should be paid to these pathways so that early detection and rapid response activities can be utilized to reduce the risk of AIS introduction into new waters. Baseline monitoring of AIS in Winona County trout streams was completed in 2023. Invasive species present in Winona County trout streams included Reed Canary Grass, Curly-leaf Pondweed, Rusty Crayfish, Purple Loosestrife, Yellow Iris and Non- native Phragmites. See the “Winona County AIS Monitoring Summary 2023”, attached, for further details. Measures to prevent the spread of and manage AIS include education and outreach by posting signage at water access locations, hosting community involvement projects, developing a school curriculum/program, providing literature at public events (such as the County Fair) and promoting BMPs to all water resource user groups. Winona County SWCD intends to prevent the spread of harmful AIS in Winona County and manage current infestations. This prevention plan outlines actions that may be implemented in order to achieve the goals of the “Root River Watershed - One Watershed, One Plan”, the “WinLaC Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan”, and Minnesota Statute 477A.19 AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES PREVENTION AID. ~1~ 10/20/2023  2023 Making a Difference with AIS Prevention Aid Inventory, Monitoring and Mapping Winona County SWCD hosted a Conservation Corps Minnesota (CCM) intern this summer. Amanda Gentry assisted Wabasha County with training of new AIS staff personnel. “Winona County AIS Inventory and Monitoring Protocol” was followed when monitoring fifteen trout stream accesses. In the Mississippi River Tributaries watershed, one monitoring location was on West Burns Valley Creek, two on East Burns Valley Creek, two on Gilmore Creek, and one on Miller Valley Creek. In the Pine Creek (LaCrescent) watershed, one monitoring location was on Rose Valley Creek and 4 on Pine Creek. In the Trout Run Creek watershed, four monitoring locations were on Trout Run Creek. In the Trout Valley Creek watershed, one monitoring location was on Trout Valley Creek. A total of 28 Rusty Crayfish were trapped and removed downstream of the Pickwick Mill in Pickwick, MN. Curly-Leaf Pondweed was identified in East Burns Valley Creek, Gilmore Creek, Miller Valley Creek, Rose Valley Creek, Pine Creek and Trout Run Creek. Reed Canary Grass was identified at all fifteen monitoring locations. Data collected included presence/absence of AIS, water resource/location, date and other pertinent information. Yellow Iris was dug from East Lake Winona banks by SWCD and CCM intern. This has been the seventh season removing Yellow Iris from East Lake Winona shores. This year, only a few plants were observed and removed. This effort has been supported by City of Winona and Healthy Lake Winona, a citizen advocacy group motivated to improve water quality and shoreline habitat. AIS Prevention is supported by the Root River One Watershed-One Plan and WinLaC Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan. Education and Awareness Trainings and Webinars “Detector Connector - AIS Regulations”, “AIS Activities at Public Water Accesses”, “Public Engagement and Awareness”, “Strategic Planning and Evaluation”, “Monitoring, Detection and Response” and a regional In-Person workshop. Meetings Healthy Lake Winona - Monthly Events • LaCrosse Boat Show - 1,000 Impressions • LaCrescent 2nd Grade Water Festival - 106 Students • The Ultimate Nature Experience (TUNE) Camp - 25 Students 11-17 years old • Winona County Fair - 40,000 People Annually • St. Charles High School Class - 25 Students • Root River SWCD 6th Grader Day - 233 Students Yellow Iris removal at Rusty Crayfish caught below Tune Camp Students East Lake Winona Pickwick Mill Dam Monitoring for AIS in Root River ~2~ 10/20/2023 2024 Goals 1. Re-conduct sign inventory at boat trailer launches to determine condition of and replace missing signs. 2. Provide funding and technical assistance to City of Winona for conducting a carp study at Lake Winona. 3. Trap and remove Rusty Crayfish from Money Creek and Big Trout Creek. 4. Public outreach and education. 2024 Budget 1. Staff FTE 35% $ 48,463 - 55% 2. Staff Meeting/Training Expenses $ 2,000 - 2% 3. Education/Outreach/Supplies/Equipment $ 7,974 - 9% 4. Lake Winona Carp Study and Management Plan $ 30,000 - 34% 2023 Winona County Allocation $ 89,437 Pass Through to Winona County SWCD ~3~ 10/20/2023 Actions (This will be an evolving plan.) Table 1. Actions that Winona County plans to implement in order to prevent the introduction or limit the spread of aquatic invasive species. Category Action for AIS prevention How action supports AIS prevention *Status Task Force Assemble an AIS Task Force comprised of The Task Force will help to develop the C public and government agency individuals. Prevention Plan by prioritizing education 2015 and awareness efforts, inventory and mapping methods, and containment and BMP strategies. Inform and update the AIS Task Force of Keeping the Task Force up to date on O prevention/management/control activities prevention efforts helps to provide and actions. accountability of the SWCD. Review and update Prevention Plan to Task Force meetings help the SWCD to O support Winona County SWCD’s preventative prioritize prevention efforts and provide efforts. support for recommended actions. Education & Research AIS currently invading MN, including Knowing background information on AIS O Awareness pathways of introduction, preferred habitat, can help to determine how to reduce effects on local ecosystems, etc. the risk of spreading AIS. Work with other agencies, schools, and public Individuals and groups with a stake in O organizations to provide AIS id training, the water resources can lead by outreach opportunities, inventory/monitoring example and can be a great asset in volunteers, and to implement BMPs. detection and prevention of AIS. Assemble a kit of education materials for The kit will help educate individuals in a C events such as the county fair, Earth Day, hands-on way and engage people in 2016 fishing tournaments, and school activities to learning. support education about AIS. Utilize existing and develop necessary AIS Multiple water resources exist in S prevention information such as brochures Winona County as well as many targeting trout streams and anglers, Lake recreational activities associated with Winona and Goodview Lake, and the those resources. Having specific BMP Mississippi River complex. messages for each resource is necessary to engage users. Collaborate with water access administrators, Clearly conveying messages about AIS in O water recreation businesses, Winona County, a consistent manner will assist the other LGUs, and neighboring counties to public in retaining and understanding develop a unified approach to AIS outreach AIS. and consistent signage at access locations. Develop and maintain a webpage devoted to Provide area specific information and O AIS in Winona County. updates about invasive species in our county’s waters. Inventory, Develop or adapt protocol to conduct an Adapt WDNR’s “AIS Monitoring in C Monitoring inventory of AIS in Winona County’s water Streams: Early Detection Pilot Project” 2017 & Mapping resources. for use at Winona County trout streams. Utilize MN DNR’s “Guidance for Conducting AIS Early Detection and Baseline Monitoring in Lakes” to monitor for AIS in Winona County lakes. ~4~ 10/20/2023  Hire an intern(s) to inventory Winona This action will help the county C County’s water resources, AIS infestations, determine where AIS prevention 2023 access locations, and AIS signage. The measures could be most beneficial. intern(s) will follow all AIS BMPs. Map AIS infestations, access locations, and Mapping will provide a visual O inventoried AIS signage. This will provide a understanding of the extent of AIS in better understanding of extent of AIS. Winona County and provide a database for the information gathered. Determine linkages and water resources at Knowing areas that are most at risk to S greatest risk of AIS introduction using ArcMap AIS introduction will assist in targeting and pathways of AIS introduction. water resources for further monitoring efforts. Continue to monitor existing infestation of Determining the rate of spread or O AIS. success of a management practice will be key in keeping AIS prevention efforts up to date. Prevention, Install proper signage at water access Proper signage that is consistent and C Containment, locations throughout Winona County. therefore recognizable will assist in 2020 & Eradication Coordinate with neighboring counties to portraying a clear message to boaters, ensure consistent signage at different water anglers, and other water users. resources. Develop and approve an early detection and This program will ensure that new N rapid response program. Partner with infestations are properly reported and necessary organizations and agencies. rapid response deployed, if required. Until developed, follow the state “Early Detection and Response Plan for AIS”. Investigate the cost and feasibility of Clean, Drain, Dispose actions of N purchasing or renting a high-pressure sprayer watercraft and equipment is a key tool or decontamination unit for use in cleaning in preventing AIS spread. Providing boats and equipment at fishing/boating access to a high-pressure sprayer would events. demonstrate to boaters the correct methods to use to clean their equipment. Promote and use BMPs to control Effective management of existing AIS O populations of high priority aquatic invasive populations may reduce the likelihood species. of further spread. Establish a grant or cost-share program to Providing financial assistance for S support local projects to prevent the spread projects geared toward AIS prevention of or control AIS. will allow Winona County citizens to utilize the AIS prevention funds where they have a vested interest. Advisement Review and update the Winona County AIS Reviewing what works and updating the O of Effective Prevention Plan annually. Present any plan is beneficial to keep supervisory Strategies updates to the Winona County Board of boards informed of AIS prevention Commissioners, SWCD Board, and MN DNR as efforts and accomplishments. needed. *Status: S = Started C = Completed O = Ongoing N = Not Started ~5~ 10/20/2023 Appendix A: Task Force and Plan Participants The Winona County SWCD has invited individuals from the public, local businesses, local organizations, and government agencies to participate in the AIS Task Force. The Task Force will assist with development of the prevention plan by identifying components for AIS prevention. The Task Force mission statement reads as follows: It is the mission of the Winona County AIS Task Force to develop and administer programs and strategies that support and enhance the protection of Winona County’s waters through public education and awareness, research, containment and eradication, and advisement of effective strategies to the Winona County Board of Commissioners and Soil and Water Conservation District Board. Table 2. Organizations partnering with Winona County SWCD to implement the AIS prevention plan, including contacts and their roles. Partnering Organization Contact Name(s) Role Winona County SWCD Amanda Gentry Administrator Winona County Vacant Task Force Winona County Commissioners Josh Elsing Supervisory City of Winona John Howard Task Force Wabasha County Kayla Haberkorn Task Force Healthy Lake Winona Paul Schollmeier Task Force Whitewater JPB Sheila Harmes Task Force MN DNR Tina Fitzgerald Task Force / Advisory NRCS Leah Ellman-Stortz Task Force Trout Unlimited (TU) Jim Clark Task Force Appendix B: Winona County Water Resources Table 3. Characterizations of water resources in Winona County. Lake Winona (Listed Infested) 308.4 Acres From Designated Infested Goodview Lake (Listed Infested) 76.9 Acres Waters Layer - DNR Mississippi River Complex (Listed Infested) 18,510.9 Acres Perennial Designated Trout Streams 243.5 Miles Intermittent Designated Trout Streams 341.5 Miles Other Perennial Streams 132.6 Miles Other Intermittent Streams 739.4 Miles DNR Fishing Easements 868.9 Acres Total Number of Public Water Access Points 173 Total Number of Private Water Access Points 8 Public Trailer Access Locations 18 Public Carry-In Access Locations 15 Public Trout Stream Access Locations 126 Public Trout Stream Walk-In Accesses 5 Public Fishing Piers 9 Private Marinas 3 Private Campgrounds (with Trailer Launch) 3 Private Campgrounds (with Trout Stream Access) 1 Private Fishing Piers 1 ~6~ 10/20/2023 ~7~ 10/20/2023 Attachment ~8~ 10/20/2023 ~9~ 10/20/2023 ~ 10 ~ 10/20/2023  CITIZENS ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY COMMITTEE AGENDA ITEM: 7. EPA Rural Environmental Public Health Needs Prize Competition PREPARED BY: John Howard DATE: Dec. 14, 2023 Sadie found an EPA competition about engagement on environmental health issues. Attached is information about the competition. The full information is available at this website: https://www.epa.gov/innovation/small-communities-big-challenges 12/11/23, 3:38 PM Small Communities, Big Challenges | US EPA An official website of the United States government MENU Innovation CONTACT US <https://epa.gov/innovation/forms/contact-us-about-innovation-epa> Small Communities, Big Challenges Rural Environmental Public Health Needs Prize Competition On this page: Overview Timeline Prizes Rules Judging How to Enter Submitting Your Entry Resources Frequently Asked Questions Contact Overview Local governments are on the frontlines for working with rural communities on environmental public health issues. Rural communities across America have unique perspectives on pressing environmental and public health issues their https://www.epa.gov/innovation/small-communities-big-challenges 1/14 12/11/23, 3:38 PM Small Communities, Big Challenges | US EPA community faces, particularly on issues that are not well understood, challenging to address, and need additional scientific understanding. This Competition seeks to identify innovative and inclusive approaches local governments have developed for working with citizens, community groups, and other interested parties in rural communities to identify and address environmental public health concerns facing their people. This Competition also seeks to better understand what barriers these communities have associated with these public health concerns. To gain a better understanding of environmental and public health challenges facing rural communities, EPA and our partners are launching the “Small Communities, Big Challenges” Competition. The goal of this Competition is for local governments to identify innovative and effective ways to holistically engage rural communities around environmental health issues and to identify any associated barriers to better protecting human health. Through increased engagement, this Competition would ideally help local governments and communities better identify and understand rural community- based environmental public health issues, which may help in the protection of the community’s environmental public health. EPA and our partners will use the solutions from this Competition to learn of unique or innovative strategies for engaging with rural communities and of the environmental public health issues that rural communities are faced with. Local governments that participate in the Competition will demonstrate their innovative strategies for engaging rural communities and present collaboratively identified findings from these engagements through a brief engagement strategy report and a short video. Partners U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) Timeline Launch Date: November 1, 2023 https://www.epa.gov/innovation/small-communities-big-challenges 2/14 12/11/23, 3:38 PM Small Communities, Big Challenges | US EPA Submission Deadline: January 31, 2024; 11:59 PM EST Informational Webinar: November 29, 2023; 2-3 PM EST (View a recording of the webinar or the SCBC Webinar Slides (pdf) <https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023- 12/scbc-competition-informational-webinar-slides-508-1.pdf> (485.3 KB) .) Judging window: February 2024 Winner announcement: February/March 2024 (Date & Time TBD) Prizes Up to ten selected winners will each receive $25,000 (totaling $250,000). Five individual Challenge winners will be given a one-year National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) membership. Rules Eligibility Requirements Solvers must be individuals or groups employed by local governments, including, but not limited to: City and county health departments Local environmental agencies Local departments of fish and wildlife Local utility providers Local waste management officials Local departments of housing Water and sewer district boards Tribal and territorial government leaders https://www.epa.gov/innovation/small-communities-big-challenges 3/14 12/11/23, 3:38 PM Small Communities, Big Challenges | US EPA City/municipality governments Mayors Village and city managers Commissioners City planners City administrators County executives Intellectual Property Winning submissions will be posted on EPA's website and announced in March 2024. Submissions and winners names may be used by EPA (e.g., on EPA social media accounts, webpages and at events) in connection with this Competition and the production, distribution, promotion, broadcast at public meetings/conferences, and online posting thereof. Solvers are responsible for complying with applicable copyright and intellectual property laws for any materials used in their submissions. “Fair use” rules may allow the use of copyrighted material in certain circumstances (e.g., see the fair use guidelines on YouTube). Participants should seek legal guidance if they have questions about using copyrighted materials. Solvers warrant and represent that they are the sole owner of the materials (ex. videos, images, communication campaign materials) submitted for this Competition and/or that they have the legal right to share the submitted work with EPA and grant EPA unlimited, irrevocable, world-wide and royalty-free rights to use the work for all uses and purposes described on this webpage. Solvers shall indemnify, defend and hold EPA and its agents harmless from and against any and all suits, claims, liabilities, demands, costs, expenses, or damages arising out of submitter's use of the works as provided herein or arising out of the breach of warranty or agreement made by submitter herein. Video entries may be used by EPA (e.g., on EPA social media accounts and webpages) in connection with this Competition and the production, distribution, promotion, broadcast at public meetings/conferences, and online posting thereof. https://www.epa.gov/innovation/small-communities-big-challenges 4/14 12/11/23, 3:38 PM Small Communities, Big Challenges | US EPA Use of music within each video entry must follow EPA Music Licensing Guidance (pdf) <https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-10/scbc-epa_music_licensing-guidance- 07302021.pdf> (130.1 KB) . Non-endorsement EPA and EPA officials do not endorse any product, service, or enterprise that may appear in submission materials. Furthermore, by recognizing winning submissions, EPA is not endorsing any products, services, or enterprises that may appear in those submissions. Terms and Conditions 1. Only the winners of the Competition will receive an award. 2. The prize award will be sent to the solver (individual, team, or organization) at the local government level. 3. EPA does NOT commit to resolve or conduct research to address the environmental public health challenges identified through this Competition activity. 4. EPA cannot stipulate how funds are used by winners and there is no follow-up activity necessary once prizes are awarded. 5. EPA reserves the right to cancel, suspend, and/or modify the Challenge, or any part of it, for any reason, at EPA's sole discretion. Judging Submissions will be judged by a panel of experts with familiarity in housing and urban development, conducting community research, working with city and county health officials, working with state and tribal organizations, and providing fish and wildlife services. The judges will evaluate, score, and rank submissions based on the following criteria: Pre-Screening Criteria Solver(s) must be from a local government. Solver(s) must have worked with a rural community and/or community-based organization to be considered. https://www.epa.gov/innovation/small-communities-big-challenges 5/14 12/11/23, 3:38 PM Small Communities, Big Challenges | US EPA Primary Criteria Demonstration of effective engagement and input from affected communities. Identification and characterization of environmental concerns for a given rural community. Identification/suggestion of associated gaps or barriers to address the issue. Additional Criteria Creativity and innovation. Strategies that target at-risk communities. Scoring Community Engagement (40%) – The degree to which local governments clearly engaged with the rural community members and/or community-based organizations and provided inclusive and equitable* opportunities to collaboratively identify environmental and public health issues the community faces that needs further scientific understanding. Local governments demonstrate engagement with community members and/or community-based organizations (CBO) (15%) Local governments provide inclusive and equitable* opportunities to the community/ CBOs (15%) Environmental and public health issues identified in a collaborative manner (ex. based on community surveys, townhall meetings, etc.) (10%) Creativity/Innovation (20%) – The degree to which the community engagement strategy and communication video shows an innovative approach to community engagement and collaboratively identify environmental public health issues the community faces. https://www.epa.gov/innovation/small-communities-big-challenges 6/14 12/11/23, 3:38 PM Small Communities, Big Challenges | US EPA Community Engagement Strategy (15%) - The degree to which the community engagement strategy report fulfills all the expected requirements. Description of Community (1%) Approach (4%) Environmental Health Issue (4%) Barriers (5%) Transferability (1%) Communication Product (15%) – The degree to which the communication product fulfills all the expected requirements noted above. Impacts and Solutions (10%) – The degree to which the environmental and public health issue identified has broad impacts to specific populations (i.e., at-risk, disadvantaged communities, etc.) and solutions to address the issue could be transferred to other communities. *Note: “Inclusive” and “equitable” refer to creating opportunities for as many people as possible to provide input. Examples of this could include: having meetings outside of work hours, having multiple meetings, having meetings in multiple languages, etc. How to Enter 1. Cover page providing basic information about the submission, including: Title Organization (name, contact information, web link, 9-digit zip code) Short description of environmental issue Identify other partners (if any) If you choose to create a video as your communication product, please provide a link to the 3-minute online video. 2. Community Engagement Strategy Report A detailed strategy report that demonstrates effective and innovative engagement with a rural community to collaboratively identify environmental public health issues the community faces that needs further scientific understanding. This written strategy report should meet the following format and content requirements. Use this SCBC https://www.epa.gov/innovation/small-communities-big-challenges 7/14 12/11/23, 3:38 PM Small Communities, Big Challenges | US EPA Community Engagement Strategy Report Template (docx) <https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-11/scbc-community-engagement-strategy- report_template_10.18.23.docx> (57.7 KB) to format your report. Format Requirements Size 12 Calibri or Times New Roman font Single-spaced 3/4” margins on all sides No longer than 10 pages Final document in PDF format Content Requirements Description of Community: Overview of the community the Solvers engaged with (including specific individuals), including any unique, historical, or defining characteristics of the location or population. Approach: Description of the innovative strategies or approaches Solvers used to engage and work with their community to collaboratively identify the environmental public health issue. Including identifying any groups that were specifically interacted with such as at-risk populations, advocacy groups, or other Community Based Organizations (CBO)s. Description of Community Environmental Public Health Issue: Details the environmental public health issue, including: who is affected by it; if the issue is new or a long-standing/historical issue; if the issue is specific to water, air, land, a combination, or other; and if the issue has relevance or greater impact to disadvantaged (low socioeconomic status) or at-risk populations (such as people who are immunocompromised, elderly, children, or pregnant women). Gaps or Barriers: Description of the barriers or challenges in the way of addressing the issue. Please specify the type of barrier: (financial/cost, technology/science, policy/regulation, language/cultural). Transferability: description of how identified solutions, if any, could be transferred to other communities, including who and where could benefit (e.g., farming communities in the Southeast United States, mining communities in New Mexico, etc.) https://www.epa.gov/innovation/small-communities-big-challenges 8/14 12/11/23, 3:38 PM Small Communities, Big Challenges | US EPA NOTE: All strategies must be original (i.e., developed by the Solver(s) in collaboration with at least one community-based organization) and not a summary or highlight of awarded/funded contract, grant, or cooperative agreement plans. Strategies may include, but are not limited to a community needs assessment, community building, deliberative dialogue, etc. 3. Communication Product of your choice (video, infographic, etc.) Communication Product Content Requirements A product that helps to illustrate the environmental issue of concern that the highlighted community is facing. Provide details on resources or mitigation steps (if any) Solvers could take to help protect public health until the issue has further scientific understanding. See “Community Engagement Strategy Content Requirements” for more information. Submitting Your Entry Send your submission via email to SCBCCompetition@epa.gov by January 31, 2024 at 11:59 PM EST. Email Subject Line: SCBC Competition Submission – Individual Name and affiliated organization Include in the attached submission the technical point of contact (name, position, title, affiliation, contact phone number, contact email address). This is the individual who will manage communications and coordination between the Submitter(s) and EPA. Attach the PDF document(s) NOTE: Emails must be kept to under 9 megabytes to ensure your submission is not blocked by EPA servers. If you choose to create a video as your communication product, please adhere to the specifications and https://www.epa.gov/innovation/small-communities-big-challenges 9/14 12/11/23, 3:38 PM Small Communities, Big Challenges | US EPA supplementary instructions below Video Specifications Video should be a maximum of 3 minutes in length. Source video file must be one of the following formats: MPEG4, 3GPP, MOV, AVI or WMV. Aspect ratio of 16:9 At either 24 or 30 (29.9) frames per second Frame size of 1920 x 1080 Submitting your Video 1. Post your summary video to YouTube as an unlisted video. Please provide YouTube URL. 2. Upload a copy of your video file in the proper file format (see Video Specifications) to Dropbox or Google Drive. Please provide file link. 3. Attach a video transcript in English. Transcript must include names of those speaking or appearing in the video (excluding the general public in a public space). Required Additional Documentation for Video Entries You must submit the following documents as part of a video submission: SCBC Signatures Form (pdf) <https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023- 10/scbc-team-signatures-form.pdf> (518.9 KB) Written Video Transcript in English (Submit as PDF) Include first/last names of each person speaking and/or appearing in the video (excluding the general public in the background). SCBC Challenge Video-Audio-Photo License Agreement (pdf) <https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-10/scbcchallenge_video-audio- photo_licenseagreement-1.pdf> (377 KB) signed by a point of contact. Note: only one license agreement is needed per video submission. https://www.epa.gov/innovation/small-communities-big-challenges 10/14 12/11/23, 3:38 PM Small Communities, Big Challenges | US EPA EPA Multimedia Consent Form(s) for use with Video, Photo(s), or Voice Recording(s) (pdf) <https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-10/scbc-multimedia- consent-form-2021-508.pdf> (264.3 KB) for each individual appearing and/or speaking in the video. Resources Challenge.gov <https://www.challenge.gov/#active-challenges> EPA Challenges & Prizes <https://epa.gov/innovation/epa-challenges-prizes> Rural Communities Definitions US Department of Health and Human Services <https://www.hhs.gov/guidance/document/defining-rural- population#:~:text=office%20of%20management%20and%20budget%20definition&text=all%20count ies%20that%20are%20not,as%20either%20metro%20or%20micro.> US Census Bureau (pdf) <https://www.census.gov/content/dam/census/library/publications/2019/acs/acs_rural_handbook_2 019_ch01.pdf> US Department of Agriculture <https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/rural-economy- population/rural-classifications/what-is-rural/> Clean Air Status and Trends Network (CASTNET) EPA Tool <https://epa.gov/castnet> Frequently Asked Questions What does environmental public health mean? Environmental public health addresses aspects of health that are determined by interactions with the environment (i.e., exposures to air, water, soil, housing, chemical, or biological factors) and occurs on many scales: genetic, cellular, individual, family, community, regional, national, and global (Goldman L., 2007). https://www.epa.gov/innovation/small-communities-big-challenges 11/14 12/11/23, 3:38 PM Small Communities, Big Challenges | US EPA <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/nbk54245/> This Competition aims to identify environmental public health issues that are affecting a rural community, and not health care-related issues. Can an individual or team submit multiple submissions? Individuals and Teams are eligible to apply. If a team-developed solution is selected as a winning submission, any prize funds would be divided among team members. Can one person or organization win multiple awards? One person or organization could win multiple awards so long as the submissions feature different engagements with different rural communities and highlight different environmental public health issues faced by the community. Who is on the expert judging panel? The judging panel for this Challenge and Prize Competition will include individuals from EPA and the partner organizations involved (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, and National Association of County and City Health Officials). Contact If you have questions about the Small Communities, Big Challenges Competition, please email SCBCCompetition@epa.gov. To help raise awareness of the competition, please use #SCBCCompetition in your social media posts. EPA Innovation Home <https://epa.gov/innovation> Contact Us <https://epa.gov/innovation/forms/contact-us-about-innovation-epa> to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem. https://www.epa.gov/innovation/small-communities-big-challenges 12/14