City Detail

Background Information

City of Prairie Island Indian Community
County: Goodhue
Population: 1050
GreenStep City category: B
Full-time equivalent city staff (approx.): 0
Participating township, county, school: Treasure Island Casino

GreenStep Coordinator

Leya Charles
City Staff
Leya.Charles@piic.org
651-285-4115
City web page relating to sustainability/GreenStep activities:
http://prairieisland.org/
GreenStep City resolution: Click here to view the file.
GreenStep City status and date: STEP 2 ( )

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
2021 - click to view assessment

Best Practice Actions Underway and Completed

Completed actions are denoted by stars.

Total completed actions: 17
1 star actions: 11
2 star actions: 3
3 star actions: 3

Buildings and Lighting Buildings and Lighting

Efficient Existing Public Buildings {BP no.1}

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: 2015
Implementation details:
Treasure Island Casino has replaced previous lights with energy efficient and LED lights and continues to do so as it moves through remodeling.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Leya Charles (City Staff) | Leya.Charles@piic.org | 6513854115
1 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: 2011
Implementation details:
Treasure Island Casino follows a suggested list of actions that support green energy requirements during remodeling, such as energy efficient lights, soft motors, and HVAC systems. Remodeling includes the installation of EnergyStar and WaterSense equipment.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Leya Charles (City Staff) | Leya.Charles@piic.org | 6513854115

Efficient Outdoor Lighting and Signals {BP no.4}

1 star - Action 4:

Coordinate traffic signals and/or optimize signal timing to minimize car idling at intersections yet maintain safe and publicly acceptable vehicle speeds.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2011
Implementation details:
The Prairie Island Indian Community police department has a traffic management plan to deal with heavy traffic related to big events, such as concerts at Treasure Island Casino. At the beginning of the event, the traffic is split into four lanes separated by traffic cones: three entry lanes and one exit lane. At the end of the event, traffic is split into three exit lanes and one entry lane. This way the traffic is always moving which limits idling from cars. The traffic management plan also uses portable message boards to clearly display directions to help reduce idling.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Leya Charles (City Staff) | Leya.Charles@piic.org | 6513854115
2 star - Action 5:

Use LED/solar-powered lighting for a flashing sign or in a street, parking lot or park project.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2011
Implementation details:
The Prairie Island Indian Community police department has six portable message boards that are LED and solar powered. They also have flashing stop signs that are LED as well. They are used during large scale events to help direct traffic.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Leya Charles (City Staff) | Leya.Charles@piic.org | 6513854115

Land Use Land Use

Design for Natural Resource Conservation {BP no.10}

1 star - Action 1:

Conduct a Natural Resource Inventory or Assessment (NRI or NRA); incorporate protection of priority natural systems or resources such as groundwater through the subdivision or development process.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2009
Implementation details:
Prairie Island has conducted a wide range of Natural Resource Inventories between 2009-2014.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Leya Charles (City Staff) | Leya.Charles@piic.org | 6513854115

Transportation Transportation

Efficient City Fleets {BP no.13}

1 star - Action 1:

Efficiently use your existing fleet of city vehicles by encouraging trip bundling, video conferencing, carpooling, vehicle sharing and incentives/technology.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2004
Implementation details:
Prairie Island Indian Community has a fleet of vehicles available for employee uses and are encouraged to trip bundle and carpool for travel and events.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Leya Charles (City Staff) | Leya.Charles@piic.org | 6513854115

Environmental Management Environmental Management

Sustainable Purchasing {BP no.15}

1 star - Action 5:

Set minimum sustainability standards to reduce the impact of your concrete use, asphalt, roadbed aggregate, or other construction materials.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2018
Implementation details:
It is common practice for Prairie Island Indian Community uses recycled asphalt on gravel roads.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Leya Charles (City Staff) | Leya.Charles@piic.org | 6513854115
1 star - Action 7:

Lower the environmental footprint of meetings and events in the city.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2018
Implementation details:
The Green Team has been working towards achieving a Zero Waste Wacipi (pow wow). There are recycling and compost bins are available on site to divert waste from the trash. Green Team also offers compostable clam shells to the vendors and hope to expand to other compostable products. Additionally, Green Team has been promoting “Green Vendors” who are committed to no Styrofoam, composting and recycling. The event has been very well received and there is strong community support to continue moving towards zero waste.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Leya Charles (City Staff) | Leya.Charles@piic.org | 6513854115

Community Forests and Soils {BP no.16}

1 star - Action 3:

Budget for and achieve resilient urban canopy/tree planting goals.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2010
Implementation details:
Through its EAB response plan and partnership with BIA, Prairie Island has a budget for monitoring the health of the canopy and planting trees. There is also a budget for the gravel tree nursery bed to help provide a more diverse and natural tree canopy.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Leya Charles (City Staff) | Leya.Charles@piic.org | 6513854115
3 star - Action 6:

Build community capacity to protect existing trees by one or more of:

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2010
Implementation details:
The Land and Environment Department has an EAB response plan that considers how EAB effects Prairie Island Indian Community, and details a mitigation plan. The mitigation plan includes removing ash trees from the canopy and replacing them with native trees to make a more resilient and diverse canopy.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Leya Charles (City Staff) | Leya.Charles@piic.org | 6513854115

Stormwater Management {BP no.17}

1 star - Action 5:

Adopt and implement guidelines or design standards/incentives for at least one of the following stormwater infiltration/reuse practices:

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2016
Implementation details:
Rain gardens, compost, and native plantings are used to mitigate storm water events. An example of native plantings can be seen at the Admin Building.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Leya Charles (City Staff) | Leya.Charles@piic.org | 6513854115

Septic Systems {BP no.21}

1 star - Action 1:

Report to landowners suspected noncompliant or failing septic systems as part of an educational, informational and financial assistance and outreach program designed to trigger voluntary landowner action to improve septic systems.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2010
Implementation details:
As of 2020, all of the systems are less than 10 years old. Home owners are given information and updates on their systems when available.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Leya Charles (City Staff) | Leya.Charles@piic.org | 6513854115
3 star - Action 5:

Create a program to finance septic system upgrades.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2010
Implementation details:
All residential septic systems are funded by IHS.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Leya Charles (City Staff) | Leya.Charles@piic.org | 6513854115

Sustainable Consumption and Waste {BP no.22}

3 star - Action 5:

Arrange for a residential and/or business/institutional source-separated organics collection/management program.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2018
Implementation details:
Prairie Island has implemented a residential organics recycling program. Each neighborhood has a tumbler available and residents drop off their organics waste in the tumbler when necessary. There is a community member in charge of maintaining each tumbler. It is free of use for community members.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Leya Charles (City Staff) | Leya.Charles@piic.org | 6513854115
1 star - Action 7:

Improve/organize residential trash, recycling and organics collection by private and/or public operations and offer significant volume-based pricing on residential garbage and/or incentives for recycling.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2018
Implementation details:
Separate recycling and organics waste collection is available for Tribal members. The recycling is volume based pricing and is a reduced price in comparison to trash. The Land and Environment department also offers battery recycling and Christmas lights recycling.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Leya Charles (City Staff) | Leya.Charles@piic.org | 6513854115

Local Air Quality {BP no.23}

2 star - Action 3:

Decrease air emissions from vehicle idling, gasoline filling stations, business trucking, and pollutants/noise from stationary engines/back-up generators.

Rating Guideline
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2017
Implementation details:
Prairie Island Indian Community adopted the Healthier Environment Tobacco Policy (Tribal Council -Resolution No. 17-03-08-35) in 2017. The policy limits the use of commercial tobacco products in public spaces. It states that there shall be no commercial tobacco use of any kind within 50 feet of all non-commercial buildings and entities owned by the Prairie Island Indian community as well as no use of commercial tobacco products in community playgrounds and outdoor recreational areas. The use of sacred traditional tobacco for prayer, ceremony and memorial on Community property and buildings is allowed, promoted, and supported by the policy.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Leya Charles (City Staff) | Leya.Charles@piic.org | 6513854115

Resilient Economic & Community Development Resilient Economic and Community Development

Local Food {BP no.27}

2 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: 2020
Implementation details:
During May through June 2020, the Community Garden, through a SHIP grant, ran a backyard gardening initiative where if a community member built a raised bed on their property, the Community Garden would fill it with soil. This initiative was also paired with a planted giveaway. The plants were started vegetables, herbs, prairie, medicines, and some fruits.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Leya Charles (City Staff) | Leya.Charles@piic.org | 6513854115