Enter building information into the Minnesota B3 Benchmarking database and routinely enter monthly energy, water use data for all city-owned buildings.
City Detail
Background Information
City of Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
County: Carlton
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
2020 - click to view assessment
Best Practice Actions Underway and Completed
Completed actions are denoted by stars.
Total completed actions: 14: 3
: 5
: 6
Buildings and Lighting
Efficient Existing Public Buildings {BP no.1}
- Action 1:
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
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.
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:
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.
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
Shannon Judd (City staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123
- Action 2:
Make no/low cost indoor lighting and operational changes in city-owned/school buildings to reduce energy costs.
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
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:
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
Shannon Judd (City staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123
- 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.
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
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:
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
Shannon Judd (City staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123
- 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.
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
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:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Shannon Judd (City staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123
Shannon Judd (City staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123
Environmental Management
Sustainable Purchasing {BP no.15}
- Action 1:
Adopt a sustainable purchasing policy or administrative guidelines/practices directing that the city purchase at least:
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
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.
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:
Descriptive File:
For more information contact:
Shannon Judd (City staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123
Shannon Judd (City staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123
Surface Water {BP no.19}
- Action 3:
Adopt and report on measurable, publicly announced surface water improvement targets for water bodies, including the percent of lake, river, wetland and ditch shoreline with at least a 50-foot vegetation buffer.
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
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:
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}
- Action 1:
Conduct an education/financial assistance campaign around one of the following residential wood burning/auto exhaust issues:
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
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.
FDL is also working to implement a no idling policy reservation wide.
Outcome measures/metrics:
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
Shannon Judd (City staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123
Resilient Economic and Community Development
Renewable Energy {BP no.26}
- 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.
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
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.
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:
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
Shannon Judd (City staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123
- Action 6:
Report installed private sector-owned renewable energy/energy efficient generation capacity with at least one of the following attributes:
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
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:
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
Shannon Judd (City staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123
Local Food {BP no.27}
- Action 1:
Incorporate working landscapes - agriculture and forestry - into the city by adopting an ordinance for one or more of the following:
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
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:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Shannon Judd (City staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123
Shannon Judd (City staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123
- Action 2:
Facilitate creation of home/community gardens, chicken & bee keeping, and incorporation of food growing areas/access in multifamily residential developments.
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
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.
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:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Shannon Judd (City staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123
Shannon Judd (City staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123
- Action 3:
Create, assist with and promote local food production/distribution within the city:
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
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.
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:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Shannon Judd (City staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123
Shannon Judd (City staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123
- Action 4:
Measurably increase institutional buying, and sales through groceries and restaurants.
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
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.
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:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Shannon Judd (City staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123
Shannon Judd (City staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123
Climate Adaptation and Community Resilience {BP no.29}
- Action 2:
Integrate climate resilience into city or tribal planning, policy, operations, and budgeting processes.
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
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.
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:
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.
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:
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
Shannon Judd (City staff) | shannonjudd@fdlrez.com | 218-878-7123