Our strategic plan has six broad goals that, when taken together, map our work for five years. MPCA’s strategic plan guides the agency’s work from Jan. 1, 2024, to Dec. 31, 2028. These goals are written holistically and broadly and reflect the fact that our work is intertwined.
Goals and progress
Our strategic plan goals reflect the fact that MPCA’s work, rules, projects, and strategies protect the environment and human health.
Goal 1: Reduce direct exposures to known pollutants, including their cumulative impacts
Progress:
- created a framework to guide cumulative impacts work and began piloting projects to support that work
- tested hundreds of products for toxic chemicals
- collected lead tackle and distributed lead-free tackle
- performed historical analyses of certain chemicals that vaporize easily and contribute to human health (on track for completion by 2030)
- analyzed 250 sites per year for gaps in air monitoring
Goal 2: Reduce levels of high-priority pollutants
Progress:
- implemented nitrogen reduction strategies in wastewater permits
- updated feedlot permit requirements to further minimize the risk of surface and groundwater nitrate contamination
- developed ambient monitoring networks for forever chemicals
Goal 3: Advance environmental justice and protect Minnesotans who are disproportionately impacted by pollution
Progress:
- hosted community meetings around enforcement or permitting actions
- awarded 40% of grants to recipients in environmental justice areas of concern
- re-envisioned MPCA’s environmental justice advisory management team
- strengthened Tribal consultations
- identified priority work areas with Tribes and finalized best practices for Tribal engagement in coordination with Tribal Nations
Goal 4: Advance the Climate Action Framework
Progress:
- awarded grants for climate pollution reduction planning and implementation
- embedded greenhouse gas reduction initiatives in prevention, incentive, and regulatory programs and the closed landfill program
- completed assessment plan for the closed landfill program
Goal 5: Modernize capabilities to collect, manage, and share data
Progress:
- ensured all data assets have a data management plan and a quality assurance project plan
- ensured high-value data assets are readily available to the public using online sharing platforms
Goal 6: Foster a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace and throughout agency operations
Progress:
- hired an Intercultural Development Inventory coordinator
- offered sessions focused on inclusion, diversity, and equity in action at least twice a month to employees