City Detail

Background Information

City of Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
County: Carlton
Population: 4090
GreenStep City category: B
Full-time equivalent city staff (approx.): 2016
Participating township, county, school:

GreenStep Coordinator

Anthony Mazzini
City Staff
anthonymazzini@fdlrez.com
218-878-7112
City web page relating to sustainability/GreenStep activities:
http://www.fdlrez.com/
GreenStep City resolution: Click here to view the file.
GreenStep City status and date: STEP 1 ( )

City Assessment Files and City Performance Metrics

City councils pass a resolution to join the GreenStep program and are recognized at Step 1. Step 2 and Step 3 recognition levels reflect completed city actions, reported and rated below with stars (1 star = good, 2 stars = better, 3 stars = best). The Assessment File below summarizes completed city actions in a short Word file. Step 4 recognition is awarded to cities who report a minimum number of core metrics for the previous calendar year. These metrics aim to show the aggregate, quantitative results of taking multiple GreenStep actions. Step 5 cities show improvement in the Step 4 metrics. See yearly data for Steps 4&5. Additional city data can be found by reviewing information on B3 Benchmarking and Regional Indicators Initiative.

Assessment File
2023 - click to view assessment

Best Practice Actions Underway and Completed

Completed actions are denoted by stars.

Total completed actions: 20
1 star actions: 4
2 star actions: 8
3 star actions: 6

Buildings and Lighting Buildings and Lighting

Efficient Existing Public Buildings {BP no.1}

3 star - Action 1:

Enter/update building information into the MN B3 Benchmarking database, and routinely enter monthly usage data for all city-owned buildings/infrastructure that consume energy/water.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
FDL has been benchmarking energy use in FDL owned buildings in the Minnesota B3 Benchmarking Database since 2011.

In 2012, FDL partnered with Minnesota Power to conduct energy savings audits on commercial buildings.

In 2015, FDL partnered with Noresco to perform an energy savings audit on FDL owned buildings. Twenty buildings were identified as having the greatest need for energy conservation measures including water, lighting, boilers, controls, and air handling unit efficiency upgrades.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
The Minnesota Power energy audit resulted in a 15% reduction in energy consumption.

Noresco upgrades save FDL $722,403 annually with a total payback period of about 6 years. This project alone can account for a 25% energy savings.

Benchmarking in the Minnesota B3 Benchmarking Database is continuing and will be used to guide future efficiency upgrades and energy decisions.

Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
Noresco
For more information contact:
Shannon Judd (City Staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123
1 star - Action 2:

Make no/low cost indoor lighting and operational changes in city-owned/school buildings to reduce energy costs.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2012
Implementation details:
In 2012, The Fond du Lac Ojibwe School retrofitted their gymnasium lighting from 24 400 Watt Metal Halide lights to 24 4 lamp 216 Watt T5 fixtures.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
On top of a $1,140 rebate for this project, the retrofitting saves FDL $2,736 per year resulting in a payback period of only 1.7 years.
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
Lighting Maintenance Service LLC.
For more information contact:
Shannon Judd (City Staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123
2 star - Action 3:

Invest in larger energy efficiency projects through performance contracting or other funding or through smaller retro-commissioning/retrofit projects in city-owned/school buildings.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
In 2016, FDL contracted Noresco to do an energy audit as part of a strategy to meet our 2007 goal to reduce fossil fuel emissions 20% by 2020. The audit identified energy savings opportunities and conducted lighting retrofits, boiler replacements, chiller plant and air handling unit upgrades, water conservation measures, and building level control optimization.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
There is a six year projected payback on all installed equipment from the energy audit. The installations will save FDL $64,000 per month from the date of completion of the project. As of 2018, FDL has reduced emissions by over 40%.
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
Noresco
For more information contact:
Shannon Judd (City Staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123
3 star - Action 5:

Document that the new construction or major remodeling of a public building has met the SB 2030 energy standard or has met or qualified under a green building or energy framework.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2010
Implementation details:
In 2010 FDL constructed a new Resource Management Division and Tribal Court building which was the first LEED certified building in Carlton County. The new building features a 12.5kw solar array, utilizes passive solar and daytime lighting, low flow water fixtures, and a green roof and storm garden to help mitigate erosion.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Shannon Judd (City Staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123

Land Use Land Use

Mixed Uses {BP no.8}

2 star - Action 2:

Locate or lease a property for use as a school, city building or other government facility that has at least two of these attributes:

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2022
Implementation details:
In October of 2022, a ground-breaking ceremony was held for the new Fond du Lac Childcare Facility. The location of the Childcare Facility, currently being constructed, meets all three attributes of BPA 8.2: (a) it is adjacent to the FDL Tribal Center, Ojibwe School, and Resource Management Building; (b) a system of trails and sidewalks link the new childcare facility to these buildings, and a 1.2-mile-long pedestrian trail connects it to the City of Cloquet; (c) the new child care facility can be accessed by Fond du Lac Transit, which makes regular stops at the next-door Tribal Center. One EV charger is available in the proximate tribal center parking lot.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Anthony Mazzini (City Staff) | anthonymazzini@fdlrez.com | 2188787112

Design for Natural Resource Conservation {BP no.10}

Pending - Action 7:

Support and protect wildlife through habitat rehabilitation, preservation and recognition programs.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 1998
Implementation details:
The Fond du Lac Band’s Resource Management Division has a number of programs whose work strengthens local ecology for birds, pollinators, native plants, and other wildlife.

One such program is Fond du Lac’s Invasive Species Department, which currently manages more than 116 acres of land to mitigate the spread of non-native species to other parts of the Reservation. Seasonally, Fond du Lac’s Invasive Species Program removes terrestrial and aquatic non-native species which are harmful to native wildlife. For example, during the warm months, the department removes mystery snails and purple loosestrife from lakes and waterways; two species which harm native waterfowl. The Invasive Species program is focused on the balance and protection of native species versus the eradication of non-local ones. Therefore, the invasive program also focuses largely on monitoring strategies as a part of its population control. Additionally, the Invasive Species Program recently implemented a pollinator corridor restoration project, where native plant seeds were planted over a previously infested site to benefit Minnesota’s pollinators.

Regional wildlife is also supported by the Fond du Lac Fisheries Department. For over 20 years, the Fisheries Department has overseen a Lake Sturgeon Restoration Project on the St. Louis River. This project involves stocking Lake Sturgeon, then monitoring this unique population as these fish grow and reproduce. In 2022, 327 sturgeon fingerlings were stocked.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Anthony Mazzini (City Staff) | anthonymazzini@fdlrez.com | 2188787112

Environmental Management Environmental Management

Sustainable Purchasing {BP no.15}

2 star - Action 1:

Adopt a sustainable purchasing policy or administrative guidelines/practices directing that the city purchase at least:

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2012
Implementation details:
In 2012, The Fon du Lac Ojibwe School adopted an Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy. This policy provides purchasing guidelines designed to increase purchasing of
environmentally preferred products. Products considered “environmentally preferred” contain recycled materials, less toxic/more degradable materials, less packaging, or conserve energy or the product during its use.

This policy applies to outside contractors using environmentally preferred products when doing work for Fon du Lac, whenever practical.

A draft of a Environmentally Preferred Purchasing Policy has been written for FDL as a whole and will hopefully be adopted Reservation wide in the near future.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
http://www.fdlrezk12.com/Download.asp?L=2&LMID=1078470&PN=DocumentUploads&DivisionID=21693&DepartmentID=26396&SubDepartmentID=&SubP=&Act=Download&T=1&I=604010
For more information contact:
Shannon Judd (City Staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123

Community Forests and Soils {BP no.16}

2 star - Action 7:

Conduct a tree inventory or canopy study for public and private trees.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 1978
Implementation details:
The forestry department of Fond du Lac Resource Management inventories thousands of acres of forested land each year with the goal of ensuring that, of the 45,000+ acres of tribally owned land, no set of acreage goes more than 10 years without being inventoried. Inventories also include privately and federally owned land.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Anthony Mazzini (City Staff) | anthonymazzini@fdlrez.com | 2188787112

Parks and Trails {BP no.18}

1 star - Action 1:

Make improvements within your city's system of parks, offroad trails and open spaces.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2019
Implementation details:
In the summer of 2019, Fond du Lac completed the construction of the Big Lake Trail: a 1.3-mile-long trail connecting the City of Cloquet with the Fond du Lac Tribal Center. This project extended the existing Big Lake Trail, which linked the City of Cloquet to FDL Gas and Grocery. The current trail system has made non-motorized transport a safer and more accessible option for Fond du Lac band members and employees.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
Carlton County
For more information contact:
Anthony Mazzini (City Staff) | anthonymazzini@fdlrez.com | 2188787112

Surface Water {BP no.19}

2 star - Action 3:

Adopt and publicly report on measurable surface water improvement targets for lake, river, wetland and ditches.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 1998
Implementation details:
In 1998 , the Fond du Lac Reservation Business Committee adopted the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Water Quality Standards of the Fond du Lac Reservation (Ordinance #12/98). This set contaminant criteria and designated uses for the lakes and streams within FDL's boarders. The U.S EPA approved these water quality standards in 2001.



Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
To implement these standards, the FDL Environmental Program designed a comprehensive Water Quality Monitoring Program, which included a three year baseline monitoring project and is designed to assess indicators for both environmental and human health.
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
U.S EPA

Local Air Quality {BP no.23}

1 star - Action 1:

Replace small internal combustion engine lawn and garden equipment (e.g. lawnmowers, weed whips, etc.) with lower polluting equipment.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
In 2007, FDL received a grant to retrofit our diesel fleet. These on and off road construction vehicles were retrofitted with pollution control equipment in the form of diesel oxidation catalysts.

FDL is also working to implement a no idling policy reservation wide.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
FDL operates four outdoor monitors that measure the concentrations of air pollutants on the reservation. This includes O-Zone monitoring, nitrogen oxides, fine particulate monitoring, and mercury deposition.
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Shannon Judd (City Staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123
2 star - Action 5:

Install, assist with and promote publicly available EV charging stations or public fueling stations for alternative fuel vehicles. 

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2020
Implementation details:
Between 2020 and 2022, the Fond du Lac Band supervised the installation of 14 different EV charging stations on reservation lands. These included six Level 2 stations: two in Black Bear Casino's parking garage, two at the FdL Tribal Center, and two at Min No Aya Win Clinic. Through a partnership with Tesla, in August of 2021, the Band had a Tesla Super Charging Station installed at Black Bear Casino, consisting of 8 Tesla V3 chargers, with one stall useable for trailer towing vehicles.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
Benson Electric Company, ZEF Energy, and Tesla.
For more information contact:
Anthony Mazzini (City Staff) | anthonymazzini@fdlrez.com | 2188787112

Resilient Economic & Community Development Resilient Economic and Community Development

Benchmarks and Community Engagement {BP no.24}

Pending - Action 4:

Public Education for Action: Conduct or support a broad sustainability education and action campaign, building on existing city & community relationships, networks & events involving:

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2005
Implementation details:
Fond du Lac’s Environmental Program, founded in the 1990s, has supported a broad sustainability education campaign for many years. Annually, the Environmental Program hosts or helps out with several events including Ganawenjigewin Maawanji’idiwin (Taking Care of Things Gathering), an Earth Day Ceremony, and the Gichi Manidoo Giizis Powwow. At these events, program staff table on environmental topics, including air quality, water quality, renewable energy, sustainable behaviors, and growing one’s own food and plants. While tabling, staff often have conversations with community members, hand out resources, and promote sustainable behavior change. In addition to environmental outreach at these events, Fond du Lac’s environmental program frequently writes for the community newspaper, makes social media posts, and presents on environmental topics at the Ojibwe School or other area educational institutions.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Anthony Mazzini (City Staff) | anthonymazzini@fdlrez.com | 2188787112

Renewable Energy {BP no.26}

3 star - Action 5:

Install a public sector/municipally-owned renewable energy technology, such as solar electric (PV), wind, biomass, solar hot water/air, or micro-hydro.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
In 2016, a one megawatt ground mounted solar PV project was installed to provide power to Black Bear Casino and resort. At peak irradiance, this project can meet 50% of Black Bear's energy needs.

A 1.7MMbtu biomass boiler was constructed at the Sawyer community center. Self sourced woodchips replace 88% of the center's propane use which is the most common heating source in Fon du Lac.

A new resource management building was constructed in 2010 which along with being the first LEED certified building in Carleton County, features a 12.25 kilowatt solar PV array.

A 3kw solar electric system was installed at the Ojibwe School Pow Wow grounds.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Renewables are meeting a small but growing percentage of Fon du Lac's energy needs and in addition to building retrofitting and reducing our total energy use, have helped to reduce our use of fossil fuels by almost 40% since 2007. In 2007, the reservation business committee signed an accord to reduce our use of fossil fuels by 20% by 2020, which we have surpassed.
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Shannon Judd (City Staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123
3 star - Action 6:

Report installed private sector-owned renewable energy/energy efficient generation capacity with at least one of the following attributes:

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2014
Implementation details:
Fond du Lac is working to support community members in installing renewable energy systems in residential homes. Currently, 4 residential 3kw solar electric power systems, 1 solar electric hot water system, and 7 solar hot air systems have been installed. Together, these systems generate 13.5kw of renewable solar energy. FDL is in the process of designing a zero net energy home.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Cost data for these systems will be used to develop a model to apply these systems to sites of different scales and individuals with varying budgets. Performance data from these residential systems will be used to guide the process for designing additional systems.
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Shannon Judd (City Staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123

Local Food {BP no.27}

2 star - Action 1:

Protect working landscapes - agriculture and forestry - by adopting an ordinance or incentivizing one or more of the following:

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2007
Implementation details:
Section 506 of Fond du Lac's Land Use Ordinance, #02/07, established a Natural Resource Management District "to provide for uses that allow forest production and management, agricultural farms and to provide areas managed for fish, wildlife, and other natural resources; and to sustain and enhance areas for traditional hunting, fishing, and gathering".

Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Shannon Judd (City Staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123
3 star - Action 2:

Facilitate creation of home/community gardens, chicken & bee keeping, and incorporation of food growing areas/access in multifamily and residential developments.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 1997
Implementation details:
Fond du Lac's Gitigaan Program offers gardening and food-related workshops throughout spring and summer.

Ashi-niswi Giizisoog, 13 Moons Program, connects Fond du Lac Band members and surrounding community members to natural resources by increasing awareness of and knowledge about traditional and other resources; to social knowledge networks by providing new opportunities for social interaction and education in the context of traditional and other natural resources; and to Ojibwe culture by highlighting and honoring the importance of natural resources in the traditional and contemporary Ojibwe lives and livelihoods and the skills that will allow these lives and livelihood strategies to endure.

Free tilling is offered to community members for home gardens.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Shannon Judd (City Staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123
3 star - Action 3:

Create, assist with and promote local food production/distribution within the city:

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2008
Implementation details:
Fond du lac is currently developing a strategic plan for its Local Food Initiative.

A weekly farmer's market stand is operated during the growing season in the FdL Gas & Grocery parking lot.

Journey Garden Program is a summer work program for ages 14-18 to learn about gardening, nutrition, cooking, business, science, math, community, language, and Ojibwe culture. Participants host a weekly farmer's market stand.

The Bimaaji'idiwin Garden operates as a research and demonstration garden with an aim to preserve and promote traditional Ojibwe cropping systems as well as educate the greater community about contemporary strategies for organic food and medicinal plant production. It is open to the community for harvest and also includes individual community member growing plots. Food and medicines from the garden are regularly provided to the Ojibwe School, Elderly Nutrition Program, community centers, and community feasts. Season extension techniques include the use of a greenhouse, high tunnel, and cold frames.

FDL is currently developing a property into an agricultural learning center for community members and particularly young people. The property currently has about 5 acres being worked on and is slated to be put into production in the spring of 2019.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Shannon Judd (City Staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123
1 star - Action 4:

Measurably increase institutional buying and sales of foods and fibers that are local, Minnesota-grown, organic, healthy, humanely raised, and grown by fairly compensated growers.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2012
Implementation details:
Fond du Lac Ojibwe School has an Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy that includes a requirement to "maximize the proportion of goods and services that come from local providers with acceptable environmental practices, thereby reducing the environmental impact of transportation wherever feasible and supporting a sustainable local economy".

Fond du Lac is currently gathering input from a food purchasing practices survey to gauge interest in locally grown produce, meat, and specialty items.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HTL3CWG
For more information contact:
Shannon Judd (City Staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123

Climate Adaptation and Community Resilience {BP no.29}

2 star - Action 2:

Integrate climate resilience into city or tribal planning, policy, operations, and budgeting processes.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2016
Implementation details:
In 2016, Fond du Lac was a part of a inter-tribal assessment of climate change vulnerability for species in the region. The study reviewed climate vulnerability in all 1854 Ceded territory, including the Fond du Lac, Bois Forte, and Grand Portage Reservations.

In 2017, FDL updated our own Integrated Resource Management Plan, updating management practices and recommendations for the conservation of water/wetlands, fisheries, land resources, forestry, wildlife, and air quality. Additionally, the plan outlines best
practices for resource conservation and enforcement, recreational resources, and energy resource management.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
The Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment and Adaption Plan for 1854 Ceded Territory is updated at least every five and ideally every three years. This will ensure that new climate science, new details about local climate impacts, and information about species and ecosystem adaptation are taken into account in our efforts to create a climate resilient region.

Fond du Lac's own Integrated Resource Management Plan is updated every ten years to ensure the conservation and long term sustainability of it's natural resources.
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
http://www.fdlrez.com/RM/index.htm
1854 Treaty Authority; Boris Forte Band of Chippewa; Grand Portage Chippewa.
For more information contact:
Shannon Judd (City Staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123