MPCA-C & D Management Planning Grants

Full Name: Construction and Demolition (C&D) Management Planning Grants
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is undertaking efforts to prevent and mitigate the environmental impacts caused by unlined construction and demolition (C&D) landfills. These efforts include proposed amendments to existing Minnesota Rules governing solid waste permits and landfills (chapters 7001 and 7035).
The objective of these rule updates is to incorporate environmentally protective requirements associated with unlined landfilling. MPCA monitoring has identified pollutant levels in groundwater near these sites that exceed standards designed to protect human health and the environment. The goal of this RFP is to develop a multiparticipant C&D management plan that facilitates the transition to compliance with the amended rules and prioritizes sustainable practices in alignment with the waste management hierarchy. This RFP focuses on the development of comprehensive C&D management plans. If additional funding is appropriated by the State Legislature, a separate RFP will support the implementation of approved plans.
Background Construction and demolition debris is generated during the construction, deconstruction, renovation, and demolition of buildings or structures. These materials include concrete, bricks, wood and lumber, roofing, drywall, landscape, and other wastes defined by MN. Stat. § 115A.03 and Minn. R. 7035.0300. Previously, C&D debris that were land disposed of were assumed to be inert and to pose little risk to the environment, which has been reviewed in the document, “Groundwater Impacts of Unlined Construction and Demolition Debris Landfilling” (2019 Groundwater Report).
Additionally, not all landfills provide a sufficient assessment of environmental impacts. Some C&D landfills have no monitoring networks. Others lack monitoring networks specific to the unlined construction and demolition management areas, and others have sampling gaps or use insufficient analytical methods. The MPCA is now revisiting the protections needed to manage C&D wastes properly.
Major rule concepts were developed using a variety of sources including information from other states, a Rule Advisory Panel, the 2019 Groundwater Report, the Sustainable Building Group, Minnesota statutes and rules, and stakeholder information sessions throughout Minnesota.
As part of the rulemaking process, there will be a second public comment period. An anticipated rulemaking schedule has been included in Exhibit B of this RFP. The Construction and Demolition Management Planning Grants (Planning Grants) aim to promote collaboration among political subdivisions, including public-private and multi-county partnerships. These grants support regional planning efforts such as: • Developing partnerships and integrating new programs • Creating efficiencies in managing C&D wastes • Consolidating and enhancing existing programs • Improving transportation networks • Sharing resources, services, and facilities • Improving economic development The grants also aim to inform future modifications to C&D infrastructure in counties across the state. Successful plans developed under this RFP will enable local governments and affected parties within the project service area to adopt informed best practices for C&D management and assess the infrastructure and programming needed for their specific waste shed.